Illinois Unemployment Eligibility
Individuals who meet Illinois unemployment eligibility requirements can receive benefits if they lose their job. You can only be eligible for benefits if losing your job wasn’t your fault. You also need to have earned wages in insured employment. Another important qualification for Illinois unemployment eligibility is you need to be available to start a new job and actively be looking for work. You need to keep a record of all the jobs you apply for. Unemployment insurance benefits may be taxable on your state and federal income tax returns, so you may want to have federal income taxes deducted and withheld from the unemployment benefits payments you’ll receive.
Illinois unemployment eligibility also means you may receive up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits during your benefit year. You could also apply to the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program for added benefits. Another requirement you need for eligibility is your paid wages have to be at least $1,600 for insured work during your base period. At least $440 of these earnings must be paid to you outside the base period quarter where your wages were the highest. If you work only part time, you may be able to get some benefits, but only if your weekly earnings are less than the weekly benefit amount you would get if you weren’t working at all.
You can be disqualified for Illinois unemployment eligibility for several reasons. These include quitting your job or being fired for misconduct, refusing suitable new employment, being involved in a labor dispute, or you have returned to work. You must pay your benefits back in full or make a monthly payment if you’re disqualified. You should receive your benefits payment about 3 weeks from the date of your claim if you’re eligible. The status of your claim can be determined by calling Tele-Serve which is 888-337-7234.