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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I live in South Carolina, my employer told me my position was no longer available to me and i had my fact finding interview and they my employer didnt bother getting back in touch with the commission. They also sent me a pay order card to get it sent direct deposit before my interview. After the interview they then sent my paper work to Columbia our capital. My question is, how long will it take them to make the decision to give me my benefits? Ive already been claiming for 5 weeks now. Thank you for your time.
Can you draw unemployment if you receive a teacher’s retirement and social security? What if you are forced to resign from a job?
Brandon, Don’t give up!!! It took over 6 weeks for me to even hear the first word about my claim. Remember, it’s just their word against yours!!! Good Luck.
i was let go from my company for lack of work, as well as serveral other employees.
one of which was a part-time, first job employee. everyone that was let go recieved their extentions. i on the other hand got my final check with no warning and was told i have no extention due me because of the work period prior. i was under the assumtion that the extentions were not based on prior work history especially knowing the part time first job employee was recieving his extentions. how, with no prior work history? at the time i did not know how to fight the denial and to this day have still no answer to my question, which was ” are the extentions based on prior work history?” oh, and especially if the company has hired since then and should, do you think because of “lack of work” they should have to pull employees from the “let go group” if they were no problem and were qualified? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On July 22, 2011. my employer sent out a memo stating beginning the next pay period we emoloyees will only be getting 371/2 hrs per week therefore 5 less hours per pay when I said something I was told it’s to keep the company above water Well I have to keep me above water can I collect for those hours? please tell me I can
I applied in nov for unemployment after being laid of. My claim was suspended because I did not make enough in the last 2 quarters of the base to qualifly. Will I be able to reapply in the next quarter starting jan. to see if I am now eligble? I live in Indiana
Can anyone explain how I can get my base period changed
My husband’s boss has decided to fold the company and wants my husband to sign a contract that says that he is terminated now or in on a future date when he the owner of the company decides to shut the company down and that my husnband will recieve no pay unless my husband brings in revenue himself. I don’t want him to sign this and if he quits will he not get his unemployment benefits? He did not recieve his last paycheck Friday and has been basically working this week for free cause he is afraid to quit and lose his chance for unemployment. We are in Jacksonville, Florida. Please help! Him or I have never been on unemployment.
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