Georgia Unemployment Benefits
Are you physically able to work? 
Are you willing to actively look for a job?
Did your employer pay unemployment taxes ("Covered Employment")?
Did you earn at least $11760 in the base period in Georgia? Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you are filing today, base period is Jan 2012 - Mar 2012 to Oct 2012 - Dec 2012
 How did you lose your job? 
Did you quit your last job due to unsafe working conditions, not being paid, discrimination and / or health and safety risks?
Were you fired for no fault of your own?
Were you laid off for no fault of your own?
Apply Online:
Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to claim benefits. Check for more specific details such as timings and requirements to claim benefits in your state. 
CALL: (877) 709-8185. Other important numbers:
Appeals to the Board of Review: (404) 232-3325 Appeals to Hearing Officers: (770) 909-2828 Electronic Wage Reporting: (404) 232-3265 Employer Claim Charges: (404) 232-3030 Employer Tax Liability: (404) 232-3301 Employer Tax Rates: (404) 232-3300 Employer Tax Reports/Filing: (404) 232-3220 General Tax Information: (404) 232-3320 Interstate Claims: (404) 232-3090 New Employer Accounts: (404) 232-3301 Partial Claims Filing for Employers: (404) 232-3050 
Visit UC Center:
You can’t seem to find assistance on call? No worries. Visit one of the UC center and let the specialist help you out. Please note that wait times can be longer but assistance is guaranteed. you are not eligible | |||||||||
What is the Eligibility Criteria in Georgia?There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification. To learn more check unemployment eligibility article A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. Claim your benefits
How to File Your Initial Claim in Georgia?Information needed is as follows: If You Are Not a United States Citizen You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job. How to File Your Weekly Claim?After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are: You can file your weekly claim: File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You should claim at least one week before we can make a decision on your eligibility. How to Claim for an Extension?If you are presently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits; carry on filing your weekly claim if you are jobless or working reduced hours. You will be informed by mail of your eligibility for the added benefits. In case you have been filing weekly claims and are still laid off or working reduced hours, you will have to file an application for these extra benefits online or by telephone. You will be alerted by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits. To be eligible for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits you must: To be eligible for EB benefits you must: View all questions Georgia Unemployment QuestionsHow long must I have worked to establish a claim in Georgia? Your claim is based on insured wages earned in the base period, which is the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed at the time you file your claim. You must have earned qualifying wages in at least two of the four quarters in the base period. The total wages in the base period must equal or exceed one and one-half times the wages in the highest quarter. A secondary calculation will be made when the sole reason that a claim cannot be established is the one and one-half times requirement. An alternative base period consisting of the most recently completed four calendar quarters will be used only when a claim cannot be established using the regular base period. Can I get unemployment benefits if I quit my job? If you quit, you may be eligible to draw benefits if you can show that you quit for good work-connected reason(s). Examples of good work-connected reasons are material change in working conditions, material change in working agreement, nonpayment for work, and similar reasons. You will not be able to draw benefits if your reason for quitting was personal even though the personal reason was a good or compelling one. The only way to know for sure whether you are eligible if you quit is to file a claim. The department cannot make a predetermination of eligibility before a claim is filed. How does severance pay package affect my unemployment benefits You are usually not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits during a period covered by severance pay paid to you by your employer. The only way to know for sure whether severance pay is disqualifying is to file a claim. What do I have to do to qualify for benefits if I have earned enough money to establish a claim? Just earning enough money to set up a claim is not enough to receive unemployment benefits. You must also meet other eligibility conditions. You must have a decision made on the reason for separation from your last work. If your most recent job loss was not the result of a lack of work (i.e. layoff, business closure), a decision on the reason for separation is required. A department employee may conduct a telephone interview with you and your former employer to get information about the reason for your separation or any other issues which might affect your claim. A written decision will be mailed to you, and to your employer if the issue is separation. Other requirements include, but are not limited to, being able to work, being available for work, and actively seeking work. What is WIA? WIA stands for the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, implemented in Georgia in July 2000. This federal legislation has helped Georgia move toward a comprehensive, customer-focused workforce investment system where Job Seeker and Employer customers alike can access a wide range of workforce-related tools and information they need to manage their work lives. Services are provided through a network of One-Stop Centers statewide. What is a "One-Stop" Center? The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requires that each service delivery area (there are 20 in Georgia) have at least one comprehensive or full-service One-Stop Center. A One-Stop Center is a place where Employers and Job Seekers can access a wide range of workforce services. In Georgia, there are over 45 "full-service" One-Stop Centers, and most areas have several other locations for customers to access workforce services also. A majority of the full-service locations are GDOL Career Centers, while others are separate facilities. Many different education, training, and employment-related services available in the community are also provided by various partner agencies at the One-Stop Center or through referrals. I just got laid off and am collecting Unemployment Insurance. Can WIA help me? Yes. Services to dislocated workers are a major component of WIA activities. You may also be eligible for Trade services, which assist individuals who have become unemployed as a result of increased imports from, or shifts in production to, foreign countries. Please contact your local One-Stop Center to inquire about the services that are right for you. Do One-Stop Centers serve persons with disabilities? Yes. Georgia's local One-Stops have been designed and equipped to ensure that all customers can access the services and programs they need. One-Stops comply with accessibility and reasonable accommodation provisions of the Workforce Investment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and the Georgia Accessibility Code. Additionally, One-Stops can provide adaptations to help customers with visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive or language impairments access services. Doesn't your Department help individuals get bonding assistance? The Georgia Department of Labor is the local agency certified by the Federal Bonding Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. This program issues fidelity bonds to employers free-of-charge, and serves as an incentive to the company to hire a job applicant who is an ex-offender or has some other personal background "risk" factor. For the bond to be issued, the employer must make the individual a job offer, and a date to start work must be set. For assistance, contact the federal bonding representative at the GDOL Career Center nearest you. How do I qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation services? To qualify for vocational rehabilitation services, you must have a permanent disability that affects your ability to work in at least two ways. Each person's situation is considered individually. Contact a local VR office to inquire. Does severance pay have an effect on my benefits? You are usually not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits during a period covered by severance pay paid to you by your employer. The only way to know for sure whether severance pay is disqualifying is to file a claim. Does retirement pay have any effect on my benefits? If you are receiving a retirement pension from a base period employer, the pension may be deductible from your weekly benefit amount if your employer contributed 50% or more toward the pension fund. If the pension payment is determined to be deductible, the department will reduce your weekly benefit amount dollar for dollar by the weekly amount of the pension that is attributable to the employer. NOTE: If your pension is from an employer you worked for before the base period, it is not deductible. The receipt of Social Security is also not deductible, although you do have to be available for full-time work. When do I get my first check? The department will send you a written decision (called a determination) telling you whether benefits may be paid or not. Remember, you must execute an Applicant Status Affidavit. You cannot receive benefits until the affidavit is accomplished. This determination is usually issued about 14 to 21 days after the day you file. If benefits are allowed on your claim, your first check will usually be mailed on the same day as the written decision. You must claim benefits each week prior to receipt of your determination in order to receive payment for those weeks. If you requested direct deposit of your check to your bank account, the first check will be deposited the same day the determination allowing benefits is mailed. The funds will be available the second business day after deposit. You may inquire by using OLIVoR or the Internet to verify the date your check was either mailed or deposited directly to your bank account.
How Benefits are calculated?To calculate your weekly benefits amount click here The minimum benefits amount in Georgia is $44. The maximum benefits amount in Georgia is $330 A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. To learn more Unemployment benefits article |
|||||||||
Eligibility
Calculator
Apply
[...] April, the unemployment rate of Georgia showed a slight dip. But at the same time, the number of people who have been enjoying the [...]
I’m trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits. I was laid off March 2011 after being with a company for 10+ years. I got severance so I could not get unemployment benefits until the end of August of 2011. I took a contract job December 5, 2011. I am still in that contract job but I believe the work will be done the end of this month(April). Would I qualify for benefits in respect to the base period ? It’s a bit confusing to me because I was on severace I think during my base period.
Thanks so much.
just to clarify.. I am referring to GA benefits. I appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks
My UI claim began in feb 2013 and soon to run out. What are the qualifications to receive extended benefits?
darryl
The unemployment extension benefits vary based on the state unemployment rate. Check your State Unemployment Office website for details on who qualifies for extended benefits in your state and when and how benefits will be paid.
I was asked to step up in the company with $3.00 raise, no weekends, no holidays and 8 to 5 hours. I worked in the position for one month and was told they decided they did not need me full time but only two days a week (12 hrs). I would like to know if I qualify for unemployment for the hours they took away from me. They did offer me hours if available in he position I came from but it would be $3.00 less and this schedule I have no hours on the schedule. I live in GA and I know this area is hard hit so that is why I am still there until I can see where my legal stand is.
I am working for a university in Atlanta. My work hours have been reduced to 12 per week. Prior to that, I was working about 20. I filed my initial claim, and after about of 2 months of waiting and hoping, I was told that I was denied. I spent all afternoon at the Dept of Labor and no could really explain to me why. Would I qualify if I work just 12 hours a week. The university cut hours for everyone. Please respond. Thanks.
overpaid benefits
my unemployment check stopped in the middle of August 2012. I was layed off in June of last year . I received a letter saying that my third tear had run out. I am still in college is there a fourth tear that you can apply for
I elected to take early retirement 0n December 2011. Do i qualify for unemployment benefits
I am still employed with a company in GA but have recived no hours in the last month and it doesnt look like I will be working for a while. can i still qualify for befifits?
Thanks
If I put in my two weeks notice and then I was fired the next day, am I eligible for unemployment?
can a teacher file for unemployment if they have a case with the board that is being reviewed
My company sent me a separation letter dated 5/30. It does not state I was terminated or fired..and my manager did not verbally tell me I was fired/terminated. (I had been out on vacation) But before I received the separation letter, I emailed my resignation – on 6/1. This position was not full time – but I worked an average of 30 hrs/week.
Am I eligible for unemployment ?
Hi Dena,
The reason for job separation is a necessity to determine your eligibility.
If you were laid off, since you have worked only 30 hours a week, please check if you qualify for the monetary requirements. This includes if you have earned a minimum amount to qualify for unemployment compensation. You should have earned at least $1,134 in the two highest quarters of your base period. Also, you must have earned total base period wages of at least one and one-half times the amount of money you were paid in the highest quarter.
If you were fired, you might qualify if you were fired without work-related misconduct.
When you apply for unemployment compensation, the unemployment office contacts your employer to check on the details provided by you, and your employer will be forced to provide the reason for your dismissal.
I am 21 yrs. old. I went to work Dec. 12 2012 just got laid off today June 5 2013. I was wondering if I am eligible for unemployment benefits?
Hi Josh,
You are mostly eligible to receive unemployment benefits as you were laid off. But, please check if you meet all the requirements to qualify for unemployment compensation in the state of Georgia.
1. You are required to have earned “Insured” wages in at least two quarters of the base period. Insured wages is when you received it from an employer who has paid employment taxes.
2. “Insured” wages totaling at least $1,134 in the two highest quarters of your base period.
3. Total base period wages of at least one and one-half times the amount of money you were paid in the highest quarter. If you cannot qualify for this, then there is an alternate calculation made.
4. You must be able and available to work and must look for a suitable job while collecting benefits.
Please check for other requirements before proceeding to apply. Since you have worked for a short time, you may receive benefits for a short time as well.
I was bascially forced to resign or being fired. Am i eligible to receive UI.?