Alaska Unemployment Eligibility

Alaska Unemployment Eligibility

Alaska Unemployment Eligibility Calculator

eligibility_img Unemployment Eligibility Calculator Previous

Alaska Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own. Eligible Alaskans can receive unemployment compensation for up to 26 weeks.

How to qualify for Alaska unemployment benefits

To qualify for Alaska unemployment benefits, you need to be physically and mentally ready to work a full-time job. You should also have a way to get to work, like a car, bus, or walking, and have a plan for childcare if needed.

If you receive Workers’ Compensation or Social Security Disability, you need to let the claim center know as it could affect your unemployment benefits. Your potential employers and the unemployment staff need to be able to reach you.

Being locked up in jail makes you ineligible for full-time work – therefore, you’re unable to receive unemployment benefits.

Monetary Eligibility Requirements

  • Wage credits from an employer that is subject to unemployment insurance laws (covered employment)
  • A total gross income of at least $2,500 earned over two calendar quarters of your base period

To qualify for unemployment benefits in Alaska, you must have earned enough money

in the last 18 months. Your employer must also have paid unemployment taxes to the state of Alaska.

You must have earned at least $2,500 earned over two calendar quarters of your base period. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter in which a claim for benefits is filed.

If you do not have sufficient wages in the base period for an eligible claim, you will be placed on an alternate base period which is the last four completed calendar quarters before the quarter in which you file your claim.

Non-Monetary Eligibility Requirements

In Alaska, UI claimants are responsible for the following:

  • Registering for work as directed by the state workforce agency
  • Actively seeking full-time employment
  • Reporting weekly work search contacts and all work search activity and earnings
  • Keeping a current mailing address with the agency (Note: US Postal Service does not forward UI mail)
  • Being physically able, ready, and available for full-time work
  • Reporting any Workers’ Compensation or Social Security Disability to the claim center
  • Being reachable by employers and department staff
  • Having transportation and childcare options available if offered employment
  • Being eligible for suitable full-time work (i.e. work suitable by experience/training, meeting prevailing wage and working conditions, and realistic to the local labor market)

Work registration requirement

If you are in Alaska, you must register for work and post a resume online within 7 days of filing a new or reopened claim. You are required to search for work each week and document your search information, which may be audited.

(RESEA)

The Reemployment Services (RESEA) program helps job seekers who need support in returning to work. If you are chosen to participate, you must complete all requirements as instructed. If you quit, were fired, or refused work, there may be penalties such as a 6 week disqualification period and a reduction in benefits.

You can receive benefits while attending approved school or training, but you must report any enrollment or attendance when filing weekly claims. Report all work and earnings, including self-employment, volunteer work, tips, and commissions. Be honest and provide complete information. Misrepresentation of work or earnings is considered Alaska unemployment fraud.

What is considered suitable work?

Suitable work means a job that matches your skills and experience, pays the standard wage for your area, and is a realistic option for you in the job market. Even if the pay is lower than what you earned before, you need to be flexible in your job search and be willing to accept suitable work.

Can I quit my job and still get UI benefits?

You can quit your job and still be eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit for “good cause.” When it comes to Alaska unemployment eligibility, good cause includes quitting due to dangerous and unsafe working conditions, such as harassment, health and safety concerns, or violation of employment laws.

Getting fired

Being fired from your job doesn’t always mean you are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits. But you may be disqualified if you were fired for willful misconduct, not doing your job properly, violating rules, or being negligent, your Alaska unemployment application can be denied.

What happens if I am laid off from my job?

There is no penalty or reduction in UI benefits if you are laid off. Your employer will be sent a notice to verify that you were laid off.

Unemployment benefits are designed to help those who lost their jobs through reasons beyond their own control.

If you get laid off because the business can’t afford, you are usually eligible for unemployment benefits. If you were laid off because you weren’t right for the job, then also you may be eligible to collect unemployment.

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

Can I collect benefits if I am not a United States citizen?

To collect UI benefits, aliens must establish that they were in satisfactory immigration status and authorized to work in the United States when earning the wages that their claim is based on. In addition, the claimant must provide proof that they remain in satisfactory immigration status and are authorized to work each week that benefits are claimed. The UI claim center will verify immigration status and work authorization through an electronic system maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The right to appeal a decision

Eligibility guidelines were loosened during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to temporary programs like Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). However, those extended benefits are no longer available. Eligibility requirements for the regular unemployment benefit have returned to pre-pandemic standards.

Fortunately, the state of Alaska considers each claim on a case-by-case basis. Depending on your circumstances and reason for job separation, you may still qualify for benefits – even after getting fired. If you feel you were incorrectly denied Alaska UI benefits, the best thing you can do is file an appeal. You will have a chance to explain your circumstances and argue your case so your claim can be approved.

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

  1. A running car is part of my job requirement. If I am let go because I cannot afford to keep my car running can I collect unemployment benefits?

  2. I have been working 130 days straight. My company says I can not work for 30 days with no pay. Do I qualify for Unemployment for the 30 days.

  3. I was called in for two days of work last week. Does this make me ineligible to file for unemployment for that week?

    • If you’ve worked and earned income during a specific week, you will not be eligible to claim.

      Please speak to a member of the Claims Center on phone for further instructions.

  4. I am currently qualified for unemployment insurance, but am considering returning to college to study nursing. Will this affect my unemployment benefits?

    • It will have an effect since you will not be able to take up employment.

      Please contact the Unemployment Office to see if there is an exception since some vocational courses are permissible.

  5. I 16 years in USAF as an aircraft mechanic, then 18 years in construction.

    I’m currently working as a mechanic.

    Recently, (6 months ago) had surgery for hand and foot.

    Having real trouble doing my job. Can hardly walk ladders are the devil.

    I want to find a more administrative type job.

    Will I be able to collect UI if I leave this job?

    I don’t want to not do my job and get fired, never been fired. But, the pain is becoming more than I can handle and not really qualified for much else.

    Any suggestions?

    • Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health are not considered.

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

  6. I had an on-call part-time job but I had to let it go due to the hours conflicting with my college classes. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

  7. My situation is unique. I work for an oil company and when lay offs came they gave us two options…take a “LOA” (leave of absence) or take a RIF (reduction in force). If we took the LOA and work picked back up,…we were able to come back immediately…and this was strongly encouraged. If we took the RIF we were then forced to the back of the line to come back…we’d have to re-apply, was no guarantee we would be hired again, ect. This “LOA” is scheduled to Jan 1 at the EARLIEST. Can I file for unemployment until then?….Thanks

    • Not sure if you can qualify for benefits towards a temporary break.

      Please check with the labor authorities in your state and apply accordingly.

  8. If I am let go because I have “excessive” abscences due to illness and because I needed to care for a family memeber when they were ill, and I did not qualify for FMLA at the time, am I eligible to collect unemployment?

  9. my wife is taking a job away from my residence. Soon she will be awarded a permanent position.I have been looking for work on that location on line but if I cant find a job by her start date and we have to move can I collect unemployment if I quit my job here and look for work at my wifes new job location?

  10. I am a federal civil service employee stationed in England with the USAF. I am an Alaska resident. If I am furloughed, along with 800,000 other federal workers, am I eligible to apply for unemployment benefits with Alaska?

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