Alabama Unemployment Guide

Filing for Unemployment :

Unemployed Alabama workers can file an unemploymentclaim online ortoll free 1-866-234-5382 to the Alabama Initial Claims Line. An automated attendant will ask a number of questions before referring you to a live Customer Service Representative to finish the application process. The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations recommends to use a land line to protect against dropped calls from cell phones.

Your employer may have arranged to have filing completed at your place of employment, if you are on temporary layoff and will be returning to the same company. Check with your employer to see if this applies to you.

File your claim right away – don't delay. Your claim starts the Sunday preceding your filing date, based on when you filed online or called. Your unemployment claim is valid for 1 year (365 days) from the date your claim starts. You should expect up to 26 weeks of eligibility depending on your base period earnings.

Make sure to have your Social Security Number, and the dates of employment, correct address, and name of your most recent employer. You will need a driver's license or state ID and your mother's maiden name for identity validation. If you have just been discharged from the military, make sure to have the member 4 copy of your DD314 form. If you are not a US citizen, make sure to have your valid work authorization number.

Filing Your Weekly Claim:

You should expect between $45 (minimum) and $255 (maximum) per week. The actual amount is calculated from your actual earnings. Shortly after your claim is filed, you'll receive a monetary determination form that outlines base period wages as reported to the state, total and weekly amount to expect. You'll need to file a weekly certification of benefits online (https://dir.alabama.gov/uc/ICCS/) or by calling the number given to you during the initial unemployment application process.

If you certify before 5:00pm and there are no problems, delays, unresolved issues, or missing information, your claim should be processed for payment the next business day. Your bank may take up to 48 hours to process the payment to your AL Vantage debit card or direct deposit to your checking account. If your payment is delayed longer than this time frame, call the Call Center Inquiry Line at 1-800-361-4524 (7am - 5pm, Mon. - Fri.). Alabama processes all unemployment claims though direct deposit or through a AL Vantage Debit card that will be issued if you select this option.

Waiting Week – Alabama passed legislation to enact a Waiting Week, an unpaid week after the 13th payment week of UC benefits. Don't expect to receive benefits on the 14th payable week. However, you will need to file a certification is for that period to keep future benefits active. If you remain unemployed past the waiting week and continue to meet filing and eligibility requirements, payments will continue after the waiting week - you may claim additional weeks until you exhaust regular UC benefits after 26 weeks.

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Unemployment Benefits:

Health benefits may be available under the Health Coverage Tax Credit, crediting 80% of qualified health care premiums. You may be eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) if:

1. Your company was Trade Certified and you receive Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits (TAA) - See http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/taa/taa_search_form.cfm for details.
2. Your Company was Trade Certified and you receive Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) or Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA)
3. You are over 55 and are eligible for Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) benefits

Apply for HCTC health benefits using this HCTC Application Form(PDF).

Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) benefits may be eligible to older workers at least 50 years old, who have not earned more than $55,000 per year in reemployment wages, are reemployed full time, and not enrolled in a government approved training program. The program also applies to reemployed workers are employed at least half time (20+ hours/week) and enrolled in government approved training classes and have not reemployed at the same company that caused the layoff or termination. The RTAA benefit can be up to $12.000 during a two year period. Eligible employees can apply for the RTAA benefit by filling out form ETA9042 online (PDF).

Filing for extensions:

Workers who have depleted regular Unemployment Compensation after 26 weeks may be eligible for extensions through Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) benefits. Typically, this is the same weekly amount as the initial Unemployment Compensation benefit. Contact the Call Center Inquiry Line at 1-800-361-4524 to apply for TRA or for questions.

TRA Eligibility:

1. Laid off within the benefit time frame
2. Used all Unemployment Compensation Benefits
3. Employed for at least 26 weeks by separating employer, and paid minimum of $30/week during the 52 weeks prior to separation date.
4. Enrolled in government approved training (or training waived)

Ending Unemployment:

When you return to work, you should not file a weekly claim for a week you are working. Call the Call Center Inquiry Line at 1-800-361-4524 (7am - 5pm, Mon. - Fri.) to report when you return to work to end benefits.

FAQ:

A FAQ sheet was developed by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations (http://www.alabama.gov/sliverheader/Welcome.do?url=http://dir.alabama.gov/uc/claims.aspx) and an additional FAQ sheet is listed here (http://www.alabama.gov/sliverheader/Welcome.do?url=http://dir.alabama.gov/uc/)

Be careful to fill the information on forms completely and correctly to avoid problems and delays.

Call the Center Inquiry Line at 1-800-361-4524 (7am - 5pm, Mon. - Fri.) if you have any problems you can't easily resolve, or if your payment has been delayed.

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