In the context of unemployment insurance, the “base period” is generally the period of employment prior to losing the job when the employer would have contributed unemployment insurance taxes to the government. Workers must have earned a minimum amount of wages in the base period to be eligible to claim unemployment benefits. Base period will also determine the amount of unemployment insurance benefits. ©FEMP9
Although base period is defined by state unemployment agencies, the following general definition is adapted by many states.
Base period is generally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the effective date of the claim. So, if the unemployment claim is filed in January, February or March of 2008, then the base period is October 2006 through September 2007.
The following picture illustrates the base year much better. Courtesy: Ohio Unemployment Insurance Agency
- If the claim is filed in April, May or June of 2008, the base period is January 2007 through December 2007.
- If your claim is filed in July, August, or September of 2008, the base period is April 2007 through March 2008.
- If your claim is filed in October, November, or December 2008, the base period is July 2007 through June 2008.
Contact you local state unemployment office to find out the exact criteria used for base period calculations before filing for unemployment. Some states are flexible with base period requirements and allow you to “borrow” from quarters outside of base period if you do not have enough credits.
If you are looking to file for unemployment benefits, please refer to the guides on the side menu
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was layed off my job and need to sign up for benfits
Arthur
To file for benefits, you need to contact your state unemployment office. You may want to read this guide
http://fileunemployment.org/file-for-unemployment
If I wait for 1 week to file, I will be in another base period. If this is to my benefit, shouldn;t I wait?
Sandra – No, no matter when you file, you do not get unemployment benefits more than what you are eligible for.
OK, so my wife has worked over the last 4 months, and paid steadily into sdi (well more than the 300 dollars necessary to qualify)… She began work in July ‘09, and worked until mid October ‘09. She was hired at 4 or 5 months pregnant and is now (at the end of october) on maternity leave. She was denied SDI because she had zero dollars paid into sdi in the base period (Sept. ‘08 – Jun ‘09)…
How does that make sense? should she have gotten pregnant later? Are there any exceptions for her?
My daughter was a teacher for two years at a parochial school. When she left that school to enter the public school system she could not find a teaching position (She has a Masters Degree in Early Primary Education) she did not apply for unemployment compensation and began substitute teaching in a couple school districts. She is now realizing that she cannot make ends meet on the limited income she is able to receive while subbing. Would she be eligible to receive any additional help through unemployment compensation.
I mailed in the form stating that I have found a job. I am still getting checks and can’t find who to notify without taking time off of my new job to stop into Mt. Holly to let somebody know.
How old does a case have to be to reopen?
Everytime I click on a link that should take me to file for benefits, it shows page can’t be displayed. Is there no online application anymore?
Ann – which state you are trying to file with? What’s the URL
Can a part-time employee whose hours are further cut down apply for unemployment in the state of Missouri to make up the difference in the previous part-time hours?
Cindy – all you have is a part-time employment, you will probably qualify, but the UI amount you will receive will be reduced. You must meet other eligibility criteria such as involuntary termination from your previous job etc.
I was let go from my job of 2 yrs on 12/9/09. I was unaware that I was eligible for unemployment because @ the time, I had submitted my letter of resignation. Once I figured out I was able to receive it, I filed. That was was12/28/09. Since filing, I became employed 1/4/10. My claim has been approved but because my current weekly wages are more than the unemployment benefit, I am not receiving it. I was out of work for 4 wks so shouldn’t I be able to collect for the time I wasn’t working?
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Carrie – Unemployment benefits are generally paid on going forward basis. They do not cover the period before you applied
So, if I’m understanding, I’ll not receive any unemployment b/c I waited too long to file and because my current income is greater than the unemployment I am eligible to receive?
I’ve been working for a company since December 1st, 2009. The division I’ve been working for is going to be liquidated this friday, the 19th, due to loss of the contract it existed on. I realize that I don’t have the required 20 weeks of continuous employment, but does the fact that the job and division were terminated by the company have any bearing on my being eligible for unemployment compensation?
Job and division terminated by the company have any bearing on your eligibility, but most states have some fallback options if you don’t have full 20 weeks. Please read base period requirements for your State.
If I worked part-time for over 3 years for the same employer and was fired can I file for unemployment?
@Jennifer – part-time employers generally do not pay unemployment taxes for you. If that is the case, you are not eligible.
Can I collect unemployment after my severance runs out?