How to Claim Unemployment Benefits in Kentucky
Individuals hoping to claim unemployment benefits in Kentucky should first familiarize themselves with the eligibility requirements needed to receive federal unemployment benefits. The biggest factor that is taken into consideration with each unemployment application is the reason why the applicant is currently unemployed. The applicant must be unemployed due to no fault of their own, and confirmation of this fact must be provided by their employer on their unemployment benefits claim. The applicant’s employer will be notified of the submitted application and will be asked to either attend the hearing or submit a formal testimony relaying why the applicant was terminated from his or her job. Reasons that an applicant may be found ineligible to receive federal unemployment benefits include:
- Misconduct in the work place, or not following the rules and regulations set in place by the employer.
- Illegal activity such as theft or sexual harassment within the work place.
- Incarceration occurring during the work period.
- Drug or alcohol abuse during work hours that prevents the employee from fully performing their job.
- Willful violation or lack of interest in the needs of the employer.
Just because an applicant has left his or her job voluntarily, does not necessarily mean the applicant will automatically be disqualified from claiming benefits for unemployment. Some scenarios such as dangerous work conditions, verbal, mental or physical abuse, the illegal withholding of wages, sexual harassment or demands to work excessive hours will all be considered on a case-by-case basis and may still allow an applicant to claim unemployment benefits.
While an applicant is filing for unemployment, there are specific qualifications they must maintain in order to be considered. For example, all applicants must file biweekly claims throughout the duration of their claim as beneficiaries. Even after approval, the applicant must keep a record of the names, emails, addresses, phone numbers and any additional information needed to show an adequate record of all jobs the applicant has applied to. Failure to continually complete these steps could inhibit the applicant from claiming benefits for unemployment. This information is vital to keep in mind since all federal unemployment benefits are intended only as temporary relief until the applicant seeks out new form of employment. Failure to continue to look for jobs, or rejecting a job offer can be viewed as fraud, in which case you can be charged accordingly.
Not all applicants are able to actively seek out work while receiving federal unemployment benefits. Applicants who are faced with temporary mental or physical disabilities that prevent them from working full or part time jobs will still be considered eligible to claim unemployment benefits as long as their disabilities are not found to be long term. Those who are unable to seek out work due to an out-of-state move that came as a direct result of domestic violence, or due to the immediate need to supply care to an ill family member will also be taken into special consideration and may still be eligible to qualify for unemployment benefits.
How Much Federal Unemployment Benefits Can Kentucky Residents Receive?
The amount an applicant is eligible to claim on unemployment varies from state to state, but almost all benefits are based directly upon the amount of money the applicant at their last employment. The state of Kentucky checks recent work history during a one year “base period” in order to determine the eligibility and amount an applicant can claim from unemployment benefits. In order to qualify, an applicant must have earned a minimum of $750 in one quarter of the base period. UI applicants must also have earned at least $750 outside of their highest paid quarter within that base period. The wages that an applicant received in the last two quarters of the base period must be at least eight times the weekly benefit amount.
