Georgia Unemployment Questions

How 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.