Who qualifies for unemployment in Colorado
To better understand what are the requirements to get unemployment and whether or not you have unemployment insurance eligibility in Colorado, it’s important to learn the purpose of unemployment benefits. Benefits were created to help unemployed residents of Colorado maintain economic stability while seeking new employment. This is the reason why the majority of qualifications for unemployment are focused on the applicant’s capability to find new work. An applicant who qualifies for unemployment must show that her or she is capable and willing to work. To be eligible to receive unemployment in Colorado, all applicants must have the following qualifications:
• Be physically and mentally able to pursue work at the time they file their claim.
• Must actively be seeking out employment and keeping adequate record of all applications placed.
• Be unemployed due to no fault of their own, and for reasons accepted by Colorado state law.
• Actively involved in any employment programs assigned to them by the state of Colorado.
There are some exceptions to the qualifications for unemployment that are typically made on a case-by-case basis. For example, if the applicant is experiencing a temporary physical disability, has been forced to move due a domestic violence situation, or has an ill family member in need of care, the applicant may still hold eligibility for EDD.
While these situations may prove to be the exceptions for seeking eligibility for unemployment, there are some situations such as current of pending incarceration where the applicant will not be able to claim eligibility for EDD.
It is important to keep in mind that the qualifications for unemployment must be met during the entire time that you claim benefits. In order to maintain eligibility for unemployment, you must continue to place your biweekly claim as well as continue involvement in any unemployment program assigned to you by the state of Colorado. Applicants who qualify for unemployment will be required to keep an updated record and contact information for every job they have applied to. This job search record sheet should include the name, address, email, and business title of each potential employer. Failure to keep a job search record can affect your eligibility for EDD and cause your benefits to be terminated.
If an applicant is offered a suitable job, he or she is required by Colorado state law to accept it and report this change to the unemployment department. The state considers suitable work to be any job that meets the applicant’s experience or training and provides adequate pay and work conditions. If the applicant is only taking on part-time work, he or she may still hold eligibility for unemployment on a part-time basis. Applicants who do not report changes in their employment status, will not only lose their unemployment insurance eligibility, but they also risk being charged with fraud.
One of the qualifications for unemployment involves the reason why the applicant is currently unemployed. In order for the applicant to hold eligibility for unemployment he or she must have been terminated due to no fault of their own.
Learn About Requirements and Qualifications for Unemployment in Colorado
In order for applicants to qualify for unemployment in Colorado, they must have been terminated due to no fault of their own. Acceptable reasons for termination in Colorado include:
• Being terminated due to a layoff, reduction-in-force (RIF), or other uncontrollable economic reasons.
• You were found to lack the necessary skillset required to fulfill the duties of your position.
• You were forced to leave your job due to unavoidable reasons, such as sexual harassment, personal disability or illness, hazardous work conditions, or the illegal withholding of payment.
There are specific termination reasons that would prevent an applicant from fulfilling unemployment insurance eligibility. Termination reasons that would disqualify an applicant from receiving unemployment benefits include:
• Willful or blatant disregard for your employer’s interest.
• Being terminated due to repeated misconduct or going against work place rules and standards.
• Being unable to perform work duties do to drug and/or alcohol use during work hours.
• Theft or property damage exceeding a value of $25.
There are also some specific circumstances where an applicant’s eligibility for unemployment will be postponed rather than completely denied. For example, if an applicant’s termination came as a direct result of misconduct or voluntary leave, he or she may still meet qualifications for unemployment benefits. The only difference in these circumstances is that the applicant may not collect insurance benefits for the first six weeks of unemployment, but can continue collection benefits for the remaining 20 weeks. Keep in mind, all decisions on who qualifies for unemployment are made on a case by case basis, so not all outcomes may be the same.
When it is time to apply for your unemployment benefits in Colorado, it is important to make sure that all submitted documents and testimonies are honest and correct. Failure to produce accurate evidence during your initial claim can damage your eligibility for EDD. To help ensure your eligibility for unemployment answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
