Eligibility For UIC, EB & EUC

I am new to this forum so I hope that I am doing this correctly.

I have been unemployed since June. I worked for a temp. agency for 1 day. When I went online to apply for unemployment and clicked on the button to say that I had worked for that week it took me back to the section that I had originally filled out where you put in who you worked for, the dates you worked, and the amount of $ that you had received from them. I only added the new work information as I did not have the old information with me as to what dates and how much I had previously put in their form. When I received my check from unemployment for those 2 weeks, I only received one week of unemployment. I have tried calling unemployment (800-204-2418), but I keep getting the message that they are experiencing high call volume and to try later. Does anyone know what I can do to correct this problem?

Thanks

JeanH wrote:I am new to this forum so I hope that I am doing this correctly.

I have been unemployed since June. I worked for a temp. agency for 1 day. When I went online to apply for unemployment and clicked on the button to say that I had worked for that week it took me back to the section that I had originally filled out where you put in who you worked for, the dates you worked, and the amount of $ that you had received from them. I only added the new work information as I did not have the old information with me as to what dates and how much I had previously put in their form. When I received my check from unemployment for those 2 weeks, I only received one week of unemployment. I have tried calling unemployment (800-204-2418), but I keep getting the message that they are experiencing high call volume and to try later. Does anyone know what I can do to correct this problem?

Thanks

Hey JeanH, thanks for joining. If this is a new unemployment claim they always hold back the first week, so you would have only received one week even though you claimed two. If you need further help, dont bother calling the regular line, click on the AWI contacts thread on the forum homepage and then call the number for Josh, Cass or Melody, their extensions are posted as well. If you get a voicemail please leave them a message, they are very prompt to do call backs and you will be happy to speak with them They can get anything worked out if this is a problem. Let us know how it goes

I called Melody yesterday and left a message asking her to contact me. Today she called me back. I explained to her about working the one day and not getting paid for the entire week. She asked and few questions and then told me that she had "fixed" the problem and that I would be receiving a check soon. Thank you for alerting me to another phone number and Melody was very nice just as you said. I am so glad that I read about this website in the Orlando Sentinel. And thank you for your help. I will be checking back to get updates on what is happening and will tell others who are in my situation to sign up on this great website.

JeanH

JeanH wrote:I called Melody yesterday and left a message asking her to contact me. Today she called me back. I explained to her about working the one day and not getting paid for the entire week. She asked and few questions and then told me that she had "fixed" the problem and that I would be receiving a check soon. Thank you for alerting me to another phone number and Melody was very nice just as you said. I am so glad that I read about this website in the Orlando Sentinel. And thank you for your help. I will be checking back to get updates on what is happening and will tell others who are in my situation to sign up on this great website.

JeanH

Awesome news Jean! Im glad she was able to get you fixed up. Thanks again for joining and contributing

There ya go UIO....another satisfied customer

GonzoFL wrote:There ya go UIO....another satisfied customer

I just wonder how many more people out there spend all day trying to get through to AWI at the 2418 number, beating their heads against the wall, not knowing there are resources like this to help.

For all the good that number does,they might as well disconnect the damn thing. Sure glad we got some direct links to some decent rep's to pass along to our fellow P.O.R.'s

Unfortunately guys, Josh mentioned in a conversation this morning that the reason they changed all the phone numbers was they were getting so many calls they could not get their normal work completed. I don't know who or how the new numbers were found but we have to figure out a way of preventing AWI from doing the same thing. Aside from being unable to get a response again, think of how much it must have cost them. Monitor, how do I make a suggestion to try to prevent this from happening?

grandmom49 wrote:Unfortunately guys, Josh mentioned in a conversation this morning that the reason they changed all the phone numbers was they were getting so many calls they could not get their normal work completed. I don't know who or how the new numbers were found but we have to figure out a way of preventing AWI from doing the same thing. Aside from being unable to get a response again, think of how much it must have cost them. Monitor, how do I make a suggestion to try to prevent this from happening?

Im sure there are some people who abused it and probably called 10 times a day to ask the same thing every time....

I know our favorite agents are as upset about screw ups like this as we are. Josh called me just after 4pm and told me my payment has been processed. This site is a godsend. Before getting his new number from the AWI contact discussion I had to get my state senator involved.
I don't know if anyone knows this but Organizing for America (OFA) which is the administration's grass roots force to get the Health Reform package passed made 315.000+ calls to legislators yesterday. Do you think we can tie up their phones tomorrow (or Friday if you think we need more time to organize it) just like the OFA did yesterday?
I get so frustrated. This is making me crazy. Where do the people who are advocating funding the extension with unused Stimulus money think the repayment of that money is going to come from? Did anyone notice how fast the "Cash for Clunkers" program got refunded. Meantime how many unemployed have had to give up driving because they could no longer afford auto liability insurance. I am sorry to say our Congress does too many things a** backwards.

Hope I' m posting this in the right place. I have been unemployed for over 2 years now. I have been through all levels and EB and waiting for Tier three to become effective for those of us that our EB benefits ran out 2 months ago and now we have to reapply. My question is if anybody know, if I take a part time job before my Tier III benefits start will I still be eligible for benefits minus what I earn in the part time job? Appreciate any help. Would love to work but I won't be making $300 a week. Thanks in advance!

howards12 wrote:Hope I' m posting this in the right place. I have been unemployed for over 2 years now. I have been through all levels and EB and waiting for Tier three to become effective for those of us that our EB benefits ran out 2 months ago and now we have to reapply. My question is if anybody know, if I take a part time job before my Tier III benefits start will I still be eligible for benefits minus what I earn in the part time job? Appreciate any help. Would love to work but I won't be making $300 a week. Thanks in advance!

This is always a tricky question, so take everything I say with a grain of salt! UIO had a situation last year where he worked a seasonal job and got screwed up because he made enough to qualify for the new benefit year with much smaller weekly benefit. So maybe he will chime in here also to help answer your question.

As for actual eligibility, I believe you will be, since technically you were eligible already by having run out of EB, it's just that they haven't supplied us with the paperwork yet. Then as for going forward, let's assume you will not make much and won't be in great danger of qualifying for a new benefit year, if that's the case, then the part-time work could help you bridge any possible upcoming gap between Tier 3 and Tier 4 while we wait again for Congress. That's of course by extending your account balance and then you get about $50 allowance per week that they don't subtract before they deduct what you earn from your benefits. That's to say nothing of feeling good to be working again and maybe making more connections for future work, even if part-time.

Of course, if the part-time work is contract, no taxes taken out, you just report it and there is no danger that you get a new benefit year. And unless you started making scads of money, they wouldn't really consider you "self-employed."

Hello everyone:

I just joined this website last night.

I have a question:
Has anyone been told by an AWI rep : "Heads-up" --FYI what's coming for you (me personally) in FL.

You will need to start claiming "casual" work. He said it can be under $58,00 a week but not more than $825.00 for entire total of what I claim. He actually said. "Have a bake sale" then claim the $$--only make sure it is under $58,00 a week for the total. I said, what about mowing lawns for my elderly neighbors? He said, yes, just claim weeks for under $58,00. I said "how am I suppose to declare this income without an "employer"--if I mow lawns or have a bake sale??? He responded" this is what you're going to have to do......Then he mentioned I will need to file a new claim.

This conversation took place on Thursday, Nov 12. I was so over-whelmed, I forgot to ask WHEN I was suppose to file a new claim.

What does anyone think about this?

My Tier 2 expires after Dec 26,. I understand that I may not be able to get the 3 & 4th extensions, or EB.

I was laid off Feb 3, 2009. My total wage credits from base period 4/07 thru 3/08 is a large amount, but I get only $205.00 a week. So, I didn't make enough to qualify for the full amt benefit of $275.00

If I claim "casual" work, what is this going to do to my initial claim amount? My initial claim ends 1/31/10,

So confused.

Any advice will be of help.

Thank you in advance.
JJ in Florida

*********UPDATE Nov 20, 2009****************

Thanks for the contact numbers you all posted. I called and spoke to Cassabdra this morning.
She explained the entire above post to me--the one I posted called "Casual Work".
It appears since Congress has the dealine of 12/31/09, I will NOT be receiving T3 or EB.
My claim expires1/31/10, and would have to file a new claim at that time. (ONLY if I have had any work---cannot use the claim I am on)
The "casual" work is called "SELF-EMPLOYED". ( mowing lawns, bake sales, etc) I would have to claim less than $825,00 to open a new claim, and my benefits would drop considerably. This amt will be less than the $205.00 I am now receiving because my claim will have expired by the time I file a new claim.
So the bad news is:, I am not entitled to any more benefits after my T2 exhausts the 3rd week in Jan, 2010, and I will no longer receive UI benefits after Jan 31, 2010.
Cassandra stated she wished she could have given me better news.
************************************************************************************************

DONT DO IT!!! If you decide its not for you then you are screwed!!

2 weeks during xmas to make 800 bucks and EB was yanked away from me and a new year put in place in July for $87 a week.....

Unemployed In Orlando wrote:DONT DO IT!!! If you decide its not for you then you are screwed!!

2 weeks during xmas to make 800 bucks and EB was yanked away from me and a new year put in place in July for $87 a week.....

UIO is right,you could end up in a mess,especially if this is a short term part time job. There are quite a few variables in situations like this....but my gut answer to your question would be to decline. Nancy pointed out that you can make something like $50.00 a week and it not hurt your benefits,so that is something to consider also. There is Florida case law that deals with part time work and unemployment benefits and some rulings have been in favor of the claimant. Taking a case to District court is a pricey venture and has an unpredictable outcome. Bottom line....be very careful if you accept part time work and want benefits also. It is a slippery slope...and before you do consider taking a part time job,it would not hurt to contact AWI and ask for their opinion.

A few questions from me about this part-time work thingie. I know in my own situation the work I get occasionally is little project work, contract with no taxes, so no basis for a new claim to be charged to any employer, thus no new benefit year.

I haven't looked into the details of this, but aren't the calculations for a new benefit year detailed somewhere online or in the AWI manual we get sent, or online in Florida law? I know that California people on the OC forum last spring had endless discussions about their own state calculations and it sounded pretty cut and dry--if you made such and such amount of money over such and such quarters, you would qualify for a new benefit year (and the pitiful new benefit that went with it). So is it more nebulous in Florida?

UIO--you had no other income at all during that benefit year besides the $800 that caused the new year? Does it have to be spread over more than one quarter? I know there are some kind of rules like that for initial UI eligibility, but are they the same rules for a new benefit year?

If anyone has the ambition to research this and contribute further here, maybe we could come up with some clear guidelines about what is possible or not, or risky or not. I don't have time myself to really dig into the subject right now, so if anyone else could try to find this out from AWI or tell of their experiences, maybe we could get some kind of consensus.

It's so pathetic and contradictory to have the state discourage work by law in this "unintended consequence" situation, especially when actual full-time work seems almost non-existent.

I'll try to respond to some of these questions, but it all concerns me because it sounds as if this rep is telling you there is some NEW policy, which I've never heard of, and it may affect my own claims also, since I report occasional small project work, but it has never been a issue, except for a few extra phone calls at times and more forms to fill out.

JJ in Florida wrote:

...Has anyone been told by an AWI rep : "heads-up" FYI what's coming for you in FL-- you will need to start claiming "casual" work. He said it can be under $58,00 a week but not more than $825.00 for entire total of what I claim. He actually said. "Have a bake sale" then claim the $$--only make sure it is under $58,00 a week for the total. I said, what about mowing lawns for my elderly neighbors? He said, yes, just claim weeks for under $58,00. I said "how am I suppose to declare this income without an "employer"--if I mow lawns or have a bake sale??? He responded" this is what you're going to have to do......Then he mentioned I will need to file a new claim. This was Thursday, Nov 12. I was so over-whelmed, I forgot to ask WHEN I was suppose to file a new claim.
I am so scared of doing the wrong thing--- I do no want to mess up the benefits I am getting ! What does anyone think about this?

I can't imagine why on earth this guy told you to file a new claim! ? For what? The only new application coming up is not available online yet, and according to what you've said, you are not yet eligible for Tier 3--YET. And if you haven't worked, you are certainly not eligible for a new benefit year.

JJ in Florida wrote:

My Tier 2 (or is the whole state on Tier 3 NOW?) expires after Dec 26,. I understand that I may not be able to get the 4th extension or EB. I have not applied for this yet. I think this is where the "casual" work comes in---and this is for my new claim? And, now, possibly I am already in Tier 3 and lost out altogether for Tier 2.

Only those who were getting EB were automatically switched over to Tier 3; the rest of us have to wait for their new programming, yada, yada, before we can even file applications online for that. EB will not be available anymore for anyone anymore as of Nov 8. The only ones who can apply for that before Dec 26 are any who may not have known about it! As for the 4th Tier, you should get that after your Tier 3--assuming you are able to hang on here in Florida--and only after Congress extends those EUC deadlines, which we hope will happen before Christmas, but in your case before the end of your Tier 2.

JJ in Florida wrote: I was laid off Feb 3, 2009. My total wage credits from base period 4/07 thru 3/08 is a large amount, but I get only $205.00 a week. So, I didn't make enough to qualify for the full amt benefit of $275.00

So let's get this straight before anything, to make sure you are definitely on Tier 2. I have to assume that you got less than the max 26 weeks of your partial benefits in order for you to be on Tier 2 at this time, otherwise you would have run out of regular benefits just this past August, right? So can you confirm that you are on Tier 2 for sure? (Forget about Tier 3, unless your Tier 2 actually expired earlier and they automatically transitioned you to Tier 3 already.)

JJ in Florida wrote:If I claim "casual" work, what is this going to do to my initial claim amount?

So confused. Any advice will be of help.

PS My initial claims ends 1/31/10

Unless there are some new rules I don't know about, claiming small amounts of casual or project work will not affect your claim, except to extend your account balance and give you a little more time on benefits, plus a little extra cash each month. I tried to call a rep I know about this, since I'm concerned if they have some new policy. But I couldn't get through and message box was full.

One question, which I wouldn't advise you to answer on this board, just to yourself--did you already have a lot or some casual work that you told the rep about and that you didn't claim (because you didn't know or whatever) or was it just a hypothetical question put to the rep? And I'm not clear--was he saying you didn't even have to report anything under $58, or just that it would not be deducted from your weekly benefit? (I've reported amounts as small as $50 myself a number of times.) And that $825 figure, I'm sort of guessing that is the breaking point of some kind for passing over to a new claim (see UIO's comments in this thread about his being put on a new benefit year for $800 seasonal work), but then that doesn't necessarily make any sense either, since if it's really contract work (no taxes taken out), there is no basis for a new claim, i.e., they have to have an employer they can charge the claim against.

As for how these things are claimed when there is "no employer" or no employer on paper, this is how it is done for occasional project work: You claim as usual and then answer the questions about earning money. Any mention of earnings will bring up a separate page of questions about who you worked for. It can be a little confusing the first time, but essentially you answer it with YOU as the employer, your address, etc., and that you don't have ongoing expectation for work (usually). THEN, when the last page comes up there is a blank field at the bottom in which you explain very clearly in repetitive language that this was only a temp project, casual work, no taxes taken out. In addition, you may have to pick a regular AWI extension number to call the next day to make sure there is no flag on your account to delay your check. (It never was this way last year, but apparently they put more obstacles in the way with EB, not sure if EUC will have the same.) Then they give you a $58 allowance before deducting anything and send your check or DD as usual. You get the $25 per week still as long as your earnings don't go over your weekly benefit amount.

So, final question: Did you call one of the more reliable reps listed in our AWI contacts section of this forum, or just the main number? If you haven't contacted one of our "favorite" people, do that and see if they can claify things further for you. They are all up to their ears in calls right now, but as far as I know those particular contacts are still returning calls, if maybe a day or so later.

Let us know if you get some clear answers.

Please see UPDATE on my post "Casual Work".

I spoke to Cassandra this morning. I feel somewhat better because NOW it is clear. She explained it all to me.

As far as "casual work" (this is being SELF-EMPLOYED) being mentioned in the Nov 12 conversation---the AWI rep brought up the subject. I did not mention anything about earning cash, not claiming it, etc. He did the talking.

He did this as a suggestion to HELP me since I have not worked part-time or found any kind of work yet---in order to file a new claim.

Cassandra cleared this up for me---said it will be the ONLY way I can file a new claim because I haven't found work. Can not use the claim that will expire on 1/31/10. It's either lose UI altogether or do the "self-employed" thing and get my benefits dropped very low. (sigh)

I just pray I get a job soon! God bless and help the USA in these times of trouble!

JJ in Florida wrote:
He did this as a suggestion to HELP me since I have not worked part-time or found any kind of work yet---in order to file a new claim.

Cassandra cleared this up for me---said it will be the ONLY way I can file a new claim because I haven't found work. Can not use the claim that will expire on 1/31/10. It's either lose UI altogether or do the "self-employed" thing and get my benefits dropped very low. (sigh)

JJ --There's a big HOWEVER that I would add to all that. Understand that these reps, even the good ones like Cassandra, are not going to advise you on anything that is not in current law; it would be irresponsible to tell you what MIGHT happen, and then have you make life decisions based on that, especially such drastic ones as moving or losing a home.

However, I have no such qualms about talking about what might happen, because that's what this forum covers in part--politics. While it is true that you do not have any legal right to claim any further benefits after the end of your Tier 2 in January, that doesn't mean that there won't be extensions available to you after Congress acts, and the buzz is that they may act before Christmas, or it may be after Christmas recess. Everyone here expects they will act sometime this winter or spring, they don't have much choice about it, considering the national situation.

So unless they do something weird, the first thing that they would add on would be an extension of EUC deadlines, which would enable all of us to take advantage of the newly passed legislation which provides Tier 3 and 4 for people like you and most of those on this forum. (EB is a state matter, probably never happen anytime soon.)

So, while I'm not saying they gave you bad information, not at all, it's not the whole story. I know it's hideous waiting for Congress to act and have our survival depend on it, but it is an option that you need to factor in as a possibility, more like a probability--the uncertainty is how long it will take them and then how long for the states to implement the changes again.

And, as far as starting a new claim based on self-employment, that is not correct; this I know for a fact. I've had several thousand bucks worth of self-employment little projects all this year and I know I have absolutely nothing on which to base a new claim and a new benefit year. If it were earnings from part-time or temp that had taxes taken out from a certain employer's account, then yes, but if you do cash work or 1099-based work, don't believe for a minute that you will be able to open a new claim. And in fact, if you have only self-employment and it amounts to a full-time business, then it's even less likely you can get a new claim! (Some are able to get that based on paying their own employer taxes, but I'm not sure exactly how that works; doesn't really apply to little jobs here and there.)

And unless they told you that there was actually a change in their policy, I know that I will continue to claim and report small cash or 1099 earnings that are not attached to employer unemployment taxes, and (unless I get a job!) that will continue to extend my account balance and help me bridge any gaps in benefits periods for 2010. Unless things have changed, I'm pretty sure you can do this too--you just have to make sure that whatever side work you get does not have taxes taken out and is cash or 1099-based.

I will be checking myself to make sure nothing has changed with this as soon as I can get someone on the phone again, will post here if I find out anything that contradicts what I just added.

Thanks Nancy!

I responded to your first post with you quoting my post, but it got lost somehow Don't know where it went.....

Anyway, I do thank you for your help with this matter. I do understand about Congress, but somehow, I had lost that train of thought since my conversation with Cassandra this morning.

I realize there still may some hope....and I just hope I get a job soon! Then I will be off this mess of UI. I know there are others out there like me, so I know I am "not the only one" going thru this...I gotta keep telling myself this. Sometimes I get lost in my own "pity" world.

I am SO glad I found this site! It was by accident. You guys are true support!

Again, thanks!

JJ in FLORIDA

I feel like I have been being led blindly by myself the whole time I have been unemployed...I have never talked to anyone about it I did it all by myself online from the beginning...but basically my question is this...my benefit year started 02/01/2009-i got one set of unemployment that i used until it ran out that was like 7,000 something at 275$ a week...then i got a second one at like 5,000somthing at 275$ a week...i only have 1,100 left and then what?!?! i have been applying for 1 new job everyday 7 days a week and nothing so far! i keep track of what i apply for but they never asked me to enter the information online to show that I was looking for a job!
After this one is up in a month will I be eligible for any other extensions?

~THANKS!

jessica2009 wrote:I feel like I have been being led blindly by myself the whole time I have been unemployed...I have never talked to anyone about it I did it all by myself online from the beginning...but basically my question is this...my benefit year started 02/01/2009-i got one set of unemployment that i used until it ran out that was like 7,000 something at 275$ a week...then i got a second one at like 5,000somthing at 275$ a week...i only have 1,100 left and then what?!?! i have been applying for 1 new job everyday 7 days a week and nothing so far! i keep track of what i apply for but they never asked me to enter the information online to show that I was looking for a job!
After this one is up in a month will I be eligible for any other extensions?

~THANKS!

Jessica:

My benefit year started the same day as yours. All I can tell you is what the people have told me from AWI--"just keep certifying as usual". They just kept telling me "to keep certifying every two weeks" at least three to four times in the conversation.

We won't know anything until Obama has his Job Summit meeting on Dec 3. Then we just have to wait.

So just keep certifying as they said. Also, I imagine we will get a "message" online when we do certify, as of what to do--at that time. And perhaps a letter in the mail. (?)

JJ in Florida

jessica2009 wrote:...but basically my question is this...my benefit year started 02/01/2009-i got one set of unemployment that i used until it ran out that was like 7,000 something at 275$ a week...then i got a second one at like 5,000somthing at 275$ a week...i only have 1,100 left and then what?!?! i have been applying for 1 new job everyday 7 days a week and nothing so far! i keep track of what i apply for but they never asked me to enter the information online to show that I was looking for a job!
After this one is up in a month will I be eligible for any other extensions? ...

jessica2009--

Your situation has a much simpler answer than JJ's even though your benefit years started at the same time. If you can answer these questions this way, it's very straightforward to calculate exactly when your benefits will end:

1) Did you work at any time since Feb 1, which would extend your benefits and alter the ending date?
2) Was your original awarded amount $7150?

If the answer to 1) is no, and the answer to 2) is yes, then you fall into the max benefits/weeks category, which calculates out like this:

26 weeks - regular benefits
20 weeks - Tier 1 (EUC1)
14 weeks - Tier 2 (EUC2)
20 weeks - EB (extended benefits, expired Nov 8, 2009)
13 weeks - new Tier 3 (pending program extension via Congress)
6 weeks - new Tier 4 (pending program extension via Congress)

Counting from Feb 1, 26 weeks takes you to Aug 1, when you would have started Tier 1. 20 weeks from Aug 1 is Dec 19 when you will be finished with Tier 1. That makes you eligible for Tier 2, which is 14 weeks. As long as you finish your Tier 1 before Dec 31, you will allowed to collect all of Tier 2, which would end on March 27 I believe.

At that point you could not get the state EB because it expired on Nov 8, but you would be eligible for the new Tier 3 ONLY if the EUC program cutoff date has been extended by Congress by that time. We fully expect that they will do that, possibly even before Christmas, but we really don't know how long it will take them. It would be hard to believe that they would not do this by March 27 however. So let's assume you were able to continue with Tier 3, which is 13 more weeks, you would also qualify for Tier 4 for 6 extra weeks if Florida stays at an unemployment rate of 8.5% or above 3-month average by that time (which it almost certainly will).

So you should be ok with benefits at least til Mar 27, and most likely beyond that. HOWEVER, if you worked at all so that your benefits for Tier 1 end AFTER Dec 31 and not before--then you have to throw these calculations out the window. If your current Tier 1 ends AFTER Dec 31, then you would be SOL, your benefits end entirely when that Tier ends, until Congress acts again to extend all these programs.

I have to assume that you might be claiming on the 7th or 8th for the previous two weeks? And then again on the 21 or 22nd for your final two weeks? If that's the case then you are ok to continue through March and beyond, as described above.

And finally, you are not being asked for work searches online because they only did that for the EB program, and you will never get that (lucky you!), since that expired on Nov 8 and you were still on Tier 1 at that time. But you should keep a good record of all your job searches anyway in case of any random audits that they sometimes do.

For anyone with questions about general eligibility or the sequence of benefits under current Florida law, please first read my topmost post for that topic --completely revised and updated as of Dec 1--under that section on state policies:

https://unemployed-florida.forumotion.com/senate-bills-state-policies-federal-initiatives-f6/fl-sequence-of-unemployment-benefits-t22.htm#175

Please read that post for an understanding of the "flow" of benefits. If you still have specific questions about your individual cases, please post here in this thread or whichever thread is appropriate for your questions about your current benefit situation.