Mississippi Unemployment Eligibility

To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Mississippi, you need to meet the following requirements.

Non Monetary Eligibility

  • Be unemployed through no fault of your own
  • Be able to work
  • Be available for work and seeking full time work
  • Serve a one-week waiting period (benefits cannot be paid for this week)
  • Be registered for work at the WIN Job Center in your area
  • Must leave work with good cause  under the Law
  • Must not be discharged for misconduct connected with your work

Monetary Eligibility

To be monetarily eligible, you must earn sufficient wages in the base period. The base period of a claim includes the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the effective date of the claim.

To qualify for benefits, you:

  • Must have worked in at least two quarters of your base period
  • Must have earned at least $780.00 in the highest quarter of your base period
  • Must have earned 40 times your weekly benefit amount in your base period

If you file a claim for benefits and it is determined that you do not have sufficient wages in your base period to qualify, you may reapply again after the quarter changes, if you are still unemployed.

Eligibility Questions

Can I collect unemployment if I am fired?

Although you may meet the above eligibility requirements, your benefits may be delayed or denied if you are discharged for misconduct connected with your work.

The definition of ‘misconduct’ as held by the Mississippi Supreme Court is as below:

“The meaning of the term ‘misconduct’, as used in the unemployment compensation statute, is conduct evidencing such willful and wanton disregard of the employer’s interest as is found in deliberate violations or disregard of the standards of behavior which the employer has the right to expect from his employees. Also, carelessness and negligence of such degree, or recurrence thereof, as to manifest culpability, wrongful intent or evil design, and showing an intentional or substantial disregard of the employer’s interest or of the employee’s duties and obligations to his employer, came within the term. Mere inefficiency, unsatisfactory conduct, failure in good performance as the result of inability or incapacity, or inadvertencies and ordinary negligence in isolated incidents, and good faith errors in judgment or discretion were not considered ‘misconduct’ within the meaning of the statute.”

Can I draw unemployment if I am laid off?

To collect unemployment benefits, it can’t be your fault that you’re out of work. If you were laid off because the company wanted to save money or eliminate positions, you should be eligible for benefits.

When you get laid-off, it is not your fault. Getting laid-off doesn’t mean that you were fired or you did something wrong. It simply means that the company in which you worked doesn’t have enough work and could no longer afford to pay you for the job.

Once you get laid-off from your job, you should immediately apply for unemployment benefits.

What happens if I quit my job in Mississippi?

If you quit your job willingly, your claim will likely be denied unless you can demonstrate that the working conditions left you no choice.

Examples of “good cause” could include an unsafe workplace, discrimination, sexual harassment or a reduction in pay or hours that was so deep that you couldn’t afford to stay.

To continue receiving benefits, Mississippi expect you to be seeking work and to be available for suitable work. If you turn down job offers or skip job interviews, you may be denied benefits.

Note: Marital, filial, or domestic circumstances are not considered good cause for leaving employment in Mississippi.

If I accept odd jobs, or part-time work, can I still receive benefits?

Yes. But remember, you must report all wages when earned, not when paid. Your weekly claim form asks, “Did you do any work last week?” If you work, simply report the dates, name of the business you worked for, number of hours worked, and the gross amount you earned during that week.

What is an Eligibility Review?

Occasionally you will be scheduled to report in person for an Eligibility Review. You will receive a notification that will tell you the date and time to report. At this time, you will be asked to provide at least three places you have looked for work. If you fail to report as scheduled for your Eligibility Review, your claim may be affected.

More Questions?? —-> Read Eligibility Q & A Section

Want to know about how much you will receive?? —–>Calculate your benefits here

  1. I was layed off due to covid 19 I went back to work for a day and got sick with covid I called in and when I got better they said I was replaced now my unemployment has been under review for two months saying I was a no call no show what do I need to do

  2. I work as an hourly employee with my local school district. The district has cancelled school due to the coronavirus Monday and Tuesday and will let us know if the closure will be extended. I need to provide for my three children. Can I file for unemployment Monday? Also, I have been given a date when my employment will be cutoff before school ends and I am expected to return when schools restarts again 2020-2021, can I file for unemployment for those two months during the summer?

    • Considering the Coronavirus situation, the Unemployment Office in your state may have made exclusive provisions. Please call the Claims Center to inquire about it.

    • Dustin,

      You can be eligible to claim partial UI benefits for the hours lost. Please consider applying until the hours are restored.

  3. In the last 5 months my job has gave me four payroll checks that have bounced. The last pay day was Feb 15th and on the 22nd it bounced again. They gave me a replacement check on the 22nd but I was not allowed to cash it and could only deposit. I did so and on the 27th it bounced again! I tried contacting the paying supervisor with no immediate answer so I walked out and quit. The manager responded 2hrs later with an apology and promised to fix it. I am not the only employee this is happening to. One person has not been paid in 5 months and they keep asking them to hold check until the get financially stable! Am I able to get unemployment due to the bounced checks and not getting paid on time??

    • Alex,

      This seems to be an internal issue and I am not sure if you qualify. Please call the Unemployment Office to find out if you qualify.

    • Mary,

      Unemployment Insurance benefits are only extended to claimants who’re able and available for work.

      • I seriously got denied because I left my job voluntarily due to sexual harassment. It’s even documented. It’s not “good cause to quit”

        • Jenna,

          In that case, you should be eligible. Please keep supporting documents handy in case of a dispute.

  4. I live and work in mississippi I recently had to quit my job of 7 years to take care of my elderly disabled farther at home he is a double amputate and has to take dialysis treatments three times a week he can not care for himself.would I be a good candidate to draw unemployment?

    • Tracy,

      Unfortunately, personal reasons are not considered. You will not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.

  5. I workk for a company that work for other companies i started oct 29th and just got back on schedule but have less than 20hrs do i qualify for unemployment and the pay is good please help me

    • Angie,

      You can be eligible for partial Unemployment Insurance benefits. Please consider applying if the full-time hours were reduced.

  6. Hi i was layoff from my job after working there for 5 years and they denied my unemployment, i spoked with mdes rep. and i had to write letter and was still denied, i wasn’t paid my unemployment for 2 months more, i paid my full tax for almost 5 year, do i have right to lawsuit state and company ?

    • Sandip,

      You don’t have to necessarily consider legal action. Please ask for an adjudicator and present your case with facts and documentation.

      • That reply sounds like an mdes employee trying to cover the states behind. Sandip’s situation really sounds like he has a solid case against the state and his former company. I would suggest that he take legal action, and make haste with it before they weasel their way out of loopholes and avoid paying yet another deserving hard worker. The state department of all states is a joke. Pay the workers what they deserve already.

  7. I am on LOA due to mentally not able to handle customers and cashiering. I am super depressed, stress , anxiety .. and moodswings. I feel the need to quit my job so I can better take care of my health. I was wondering if Unemployment would help me. I have not been doing well as I should customer service and been talked to about it and how I will break down at work uncontrollably. I am trying to find help for Strss is not good

    • Amanda,

      I can understand your situation. Unfortunately, the system does not consider personal reasons. If you’re working under hostile conditions, you should be able to apply. Please speak to the Unemployment Office before making a decision.

  8. I worked as a vendor type job. I have worked in past years and didn’t collect unemployment. Can I draw off that past

  9. My company is changing schedules and requiring staff to work three 12 hour shifts and one 9 hour shift weekly. I fear that I will not have the stamina for such a schedule. May I draw unemployment if I am unable to meet this pace?

    • This is a tricky situation. If you quit because of this reason, you will not be eligible.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further details.

  10. My son has worked at Firestone since January of 2016. My family transferred to Camp Shelby for a military move and he came with us because Firestone was able to transfer him to the Hattiesburg Firestone. Once here, he worked two days and was told the only reason they accepted him was because he was part of the company and that they really did not need him. He has contacted HR and they do not have a position for him. Is he eligible to collect unemployment here in Mississippii?

    • He should be, as long as the reason for separation from the last job was not voluntary.

      Please call the Unemployment Office for further details.

    • That sounds like a state employee trying to cover the states behind. Quit telling folks not to take legal action who obviously have a good case. These are hard working people who are all getting shafted by the state departments. I was personally one of them. You pay your taxes and dues, and fall on hard times and need help and the state keeps your money and wants you to jump through hoops to get YOUR money. F that. You guys should be tarred and feathered in the streets for this behavior. Shame on you.

  11. I have worked since May 2013 at a seasonal job. It ends Sept 15th of 2013. I drew unemployment from the state of AR from April 2012 through December 2012. Can I use this money from unemployment as income.

    • No, unemployment payments do not count as income for another claim. The wages you earned at your seasonal job should be used.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

https://fileunemployment.org