Illinois Unemployment Rules
Closely adhering to the Illinois unemployment rules is the fastest way to access the benefits to which individuals may be entitled. The four basic rules which govern the state’s unemployment benefits are: applicants must be unemployed for reasons that are beyond their control; they must have worked for an employer who was part of the insured group; they must search for work each week and be available to accept work should it be offered.
Persons who meet these requirements will receive from $51 to $385 weekly; additional funds may be available for those who have spouses who do not work and/or have dependent children. Benefits are available for a total of 26 weeks, although that time may be extended under certain circumstances. Since these payments may be subject to federal taxes, Illinois unemployment rules allow the recipients to have up to 10% of their benefits withheld for tax purposes
Under Illinois unemployment rules, an initial claim for benefits can be filed either online (http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/certify/default.asp), or at one of the offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Services (IDES); offices are located throughout the state. Tuesday is the recommended day for visiting an IDES office. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the exception of state and federal holidays.
Once a claim for benefits has been filed, Illinois unemployment rules require that the claim be certified. Applicants who fail to certify their claims will not receive benefits. Certification means that you confirm your unemployed status every two weeks. Applicants will receive through the mail a notification of whether or not they qualified for unemployment insurance benefits. Claimants should contact their local IDES office if they have not received this notice within two weeks of having filed their claims. This notification will also inform them of their Bi-Weekly Certification Call Day. Calls are placed through the state’s Tele-Serve system which is equipped to handle deaf and hearing impaired clients.
Benefits can be direct deposited into the recipient’s bank account. Debit cards with the benefit amounts loaded onto them are also available. Illinois unemployment rules specify that recipients who do not sign up for direct deposit will receive their benefits via debit cards.