NC Extended Unemployment

[dkspeaks]

Just a question. I cant seem get a straight answer from anyone. I was disqualified for the first 13 weeks of unemployment. I was told I did not qualify for any of the extention programs. I am at my wits end with this whole thing. My benefits run out in a couple of weeks and I have no answer, no job, no job on the horizon....nothing! Could someone help me find the answer. thax dk

[jleighs123]

Hello there!

I am hoping you can help me understand what will happen now since I am unable to ever reach the ESC.

I was laid off in Oct. 2008, and have not worked since. I have earned $185/week, and my benefit year ended Saturday (Oct. 17, 2009). I was told that once my benefit year ended, I would need to call the ESC and file a new claim, but as I said, I am unable to ever get through to anyone.

Since I have not worked since Oct. 2008, what does that mean for a new claim, whenever I am able to get through to refile?

[jleighs123]

Oh if this helps my above question at all, my benefit year ended, but I was in the EUC. Not sure if that matters in your response or not.

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by dkspeaks

Just a question. I cant seem get a straight answer from anyone. I was disqualified for the first 13 weeks of unemployment. I was told I did not qualify for any of the extention programs. I am at my wits end with this whole thing. My benefits run out in a couple of weeks and I have no answer, no job, no job on the horizon....nothing! Could someone help me find the answer. thax dk

The answer is simple. First, you must monetarily qualify to be eligible for extensions...they are NOT automatic. Your total wages in the base period must be equal to or greater than 1.5 times the high quarter in the base period. Simple math example:

High quarter in the base period $10,000 - means total base period wages must be equal to or greater than $15,000 in order to qualify for extensions.

If you do not meet this requirement, you will not qualify for ANY extensions. I had someone at my desk last week that was $12 short for qualifying for the extensions. No exceptions, he does not qualify.

IF you meet the monetary requirements above, then you will be eligible for the first two extensions out there (EUC08 Tier 1, and EUC08 Tier 2). However, you will NOT qualify for Extended Benefits - EB - (currently the 3rd extension) because you MUST have a clean claim in order to qualify for EB. If you have ANY disqualification on your claim, even if it's been adjudicated in your favor, you will NOT qualify for EB. Period.

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by jleighs123

Hello there!

I am hoping you can help me understand what will happen now since I am unable to ever reach the ESC.

I was laid off in Oct. 2008, and have not worked since. I have earned $185/week, and my benefit year ended Saturday (Oct. 17, 2009). I was told that once my benefit year ended, I would need to call the ESC and file a new claim, but as I said, I am unable to ever get through to anyone.

Since I have not worked since Oct. 2008, what does that mean for a new claim, whenever I am able to get through to refile?

If your benefit year ended you will need to attempt a new benefit year. If you have ample wages ($4,554 spread out over at least two quarters in the base period...currently 3Q2008, 4Q2008, 1Q2009 and 2Q2009), a new regular UI claim will be set up for you. If you do not have ample wages to set up a new regular UI claim, you should still attempt a new benefit year and they will establish a new claim for you in order to go back and draw any remaining extension on your previous claim. You will have to get ahold of the ESC to do this, or possibly file online...but I would recommend physically going to the ESC office, as the experience in my office tends to be more responsive than filing online or by telephone. If you file online or by phone, then everything regarding your claim will go through the Remote Service Center in Raleigh, where they are overwhelmed. File in the local office and that office "owns" your claim.

If you have no remaining money on your previous claim, and not enough wages to open a new regular UI claim, then your UI is exhausted.

[susan2009]

Well jdljr...seems like you are pretty expert in this area. Thanks so much for helping all us unemployed people out there. I'm unemployed, but thankfully qualify for the extensions. I don't think my husband is so lucky. One caveat...we live in Illinois...but I think the rules are the same. Here's the situation: Been unemployed for almost 6 months. His base period started in 1-2008 and ended in 4-2008. It looks like he will get another month of regular benefits and then reach his max. I think he will be found "monetarily ineligible"...since he had one really high month during the base period, since he has a large $ quarter...and the total base is NOT equal to or more than 1.5 times that (he's an IT guy, works on contract, sucky year). Some specifics to help...: Total base was $34,000 ...high quarter was $27,000 (1st quarter). So...1.5 times that is $40,000. (I rounded all numbers) He had a short-term contract from mid-Feb to April...but I don't think that would allow him to qualify for a new filing...think he would still be monetarily ineligible. He's been busting his rear trying to find a new job...with no luck. Is there any recourse? Would an appeal help? Any other government programs he might qualify for? He's a veteran...but no combat experience. Thanks much for helping!

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by susan2009

Well jdljr...seems like you are pretty expert in this area. Thanks so much for helping all us unemployed people out there. I'm unemployed, but thankfully qualify for the extensions. I don't think my husband is so lucky. One caveat...we live in Illinois...but I think the rules are the same. Here's the situation: Been unemployed for almost 6 months. His base period started in 1-2008 and ended in 4-2008. It looks like he will get another month of regular benefits and then reach his max. I think he will be found "monetarily ineligible"...since he had one really high month during the base period, since he has a large $ quarter...and the total base is NOT equal to or more than 1.5 times that (he's an IT guy, works on contract, sucky year). Some specifics to help...: Total base was $34,000 ...high quarter was $27,000 (1st quarter). So...1.5 times that is $40,000. (I rounded all numbers) He had a short-term contract from mid-Feb to April...but I don't think that would allow him to qualify for a new filing...think he would still be monetarily ineligible. He's been busting his rear trying to find a new job...with no luck. Is there any recourse? Would an appeal help? Any other government programs he might qualify for? He's a veteran...but no combat experience. Thanks much for helping!

Hey Susan, Unfortunately, I think your husband is out of luck as far as an extension. There are no exceptions to the 1.5 times rule. I had someone at my desk a couple weeks ago that was $12 short for qualifying for an extension. Sucks, I know.

Did your husband's short term contract work pay him at least $4,550? Was it this year or last? If he earned at least $4,550 spanning at least two quarters in the base period (currently 3Q2008, 4Q2008, 1Q2009 and 2Q2009), he would qualify for a new regular UI claim (at least here in NC...not sure about IL). If his short contract work was Feb-Apr of this year, that would seemingly be in two different quarters (1Q2009 and 2Q2009). If he earned at least $4,550 during that period, he would qualify for a new regular UI claim.

Not sure what the new extension (if it passes) will entail, who will qualify, for how long, etc. If he is not eligible for a new regular UI claim, he may be eligible for the new extension, if/when it passes.

[Kelly Joe]

What an awesome blog! Thanks for all the info. My tier 2 just started this week and I have to reapply for my annual Dec/5/09. I hope I am going to get the benefits. I am in the WIA program and I have been doing awesome in school 4.0. I would hate to have to throw it all away to go find a full time job right now. If I complete school the gov will get a lot more tax money out of me because I will seek a better paying job.

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by Kelly Joe

What an awesome blog! Thanks for all the info. My tier 2 just started this week and I have to reapply for my annual Dec/5/09. I hope I am going to get the benefits. I am in the WIA program and I have been doing awesome in school 4.0. I would hate to have to throw it all away to go find a full time job right now. If I complete school the gov will get a lot more tax money out of me because I will seek a better paying job.

Hey Joe, way to go with doing great in school!

Regarding your statement of "I hope I am going to get the benefits". It's all based on what's in your base period. It's a simple mathematical calculation to decide whether you're monetarily eligible for a new regular UI claim. If you're not eligible for a new regular UI claim, and you still have extension money left on your old claim, you must still attempt a new benefit year and they'll establish a new claim for you to go back and get your remaining extension money on your old claim.

It's not a matter of a human being making a decision on whether you get the benefits, at this point. It's a mathematical formula and threshold you must meet. An easy way to determine that at this point is to get in touch with your local office and ask them if you have enough money in the base period to establish a new regular UI claim when your current benefit year runs out.

[clog]

My question is that my Tier 2 benefits run out around December 19th and my benefit year ends on 01/09/2010. I assume that my Extended Benefits would kick in for 20 weeks around the 19th or would the NEW extension of 14 weeks or 20 in bad states be added to my Tier 2.

These new extensions are a bit confusing and also would the EB automatically start just like Tier 1 & 2.

Thanks and I am also here in Wake County.