Unemployment Claims

[thenukeman]

Yes this thread is not named properly and has been brought up before. This should be combined wage claim, which is what we are mostly talking about, The interstate claim is a diffrent claim.  You can read about that some where here.  Bottom line work two states file in any state is going to be a COMBINED WAGE CLAIM, not Interstate as stated as the heading of this thread.  Maybe the moderator can change the name to combined wage which is what we are mostly talking about and is what the Nukeworker in 99 percent of the time needs to know about.  If someone ask about interstate to a state employee they will look at it and may get it confused. Moderator may want to look at this and edit for clarity on this thread to put in combined wage where it is needed and put edited by moderator.

[thenukeman]

I have stolen this from Beercourt which was stated earlier in this thread but I think needs to be put in for clarity.

It is important to distinguish between an interstate claim and a combined wage claim.  An interstate claim is filed by one who has worked in one state and lives in another.  For example, one who has worked in New Jersey but lives in New York can file an interstate claim in New York against New Jersey.  New York would administer your claim and pay your checks at the New Jersey rates.
A person who has worked in two or more states is eligible to file a combined wage claim in any state.  If you worked in Pennsylvania and Florida (or any two states), you can file in Massachussetts, which has the highest maximum benefit in the US and an additional allowance of $25 per dependent child per week.  To file a combined wage claim in Mass., you must do so in person and cannot normally back date to the date of layoff.  That means don't wait a month affter layoff to file, because the claim doesn't start until you get there.  This is NOT THE SAME as an interstate claim.  Massachusssetts, having the highest payout of all 50 states, is quite used to processing claims from residents of other states.  Just tell them you want to file a combined wage claim, and where you worked.
Your employer needs to have reported the wages to the states where you worked.  This is TOTALLY SEPARATE from where they withheld taxes.  If they only reported your wages to Texas, you cannot file a combined wage claim.

[thenukeman]

Good change to the title of this thread!  Thanks oh great Moderator. This is the thread that may me go Gold and see the promised land of Mass. It needs to be right!!!  I was a great Doubter like Remo, I said this can not be true, I was a non Believer,  A Atheist of the place called Massachusetts unemployment.  I was about to accept my offering of 275 from  TN a most evil place when it comes to unemployment.  I still doubted I wrote Mass and they answered all my questions positive.  Just to be sure I carried my Questions and Answers with me to Boston.  I was a little Agnostic about this but I felt that with Mass's answers that I have entered the promised land.  I had a little trouble talking to the person since I was from TN and I think he was from Cambodia.  I told him I wrote your state and this is what I want.  Then the tablets of Mass unemployment were thrown in front of me, and with my magic pin I was back to going to the airport to go back to lovely TN ( except for unemployment)  I then got my first 8 checks in a row, I then said I am a believer!!!the tears came to my eyes and said why was I ever an atheist to Mass Unemployment. Nukeworker told me the scriptures , I just did not want to believe, Hopefully we can make another convert, Mr. Remo!!!  I then wrote a small offering to Nukeworker.  A mere 36 dollars for my change of heart,Halleuiah I am a believer.  Yes the difference between 625 and 275 is 350 a week over 10,000 a year.  If I just tithed the amount I made I would have had to send a thousand dollar check.  But no Nukeworker ain't no greedy televangelist preacher who says let us PREY,  I still pocket 9964 and send a 36 dollar check. Also This 36 dollars a year allows me to the Gold Polysci area to explain to the liberals their failings in thought. They  try to explain the liberal ways.  I am Atheistic when it comes to liberal thought. But hey I was converted to Mass unemployment maybe I can be converted to a liberal.

[boilermaker42867]

Wondering if I could get some advice...

I live in Georgia but worked two outages at different times in the state of PA..One was December of 2007 and again in May 2008.My Georgia unemployment claim has been closed out and I will have to start a new one, but I was told that it was possible to file on PA, which would get me about 200.00 more a week..Problem is I have no idea what the requirements are and if I qualify..I was also told I would have to drive up there and be in the state when I filed..I dont want to make the trip all the way up there only to be told I dont qualify and have to eat the gas up there and back. I have worked in more than one state in the last 18 months..so that part is covered..just foggy on the rest..any help would be appreciated..

[vikingfan]

boilermaker, search the previous posts on this thread. and you will find your answers here ! you can also contact the mass unemployment office and thye can give you a ball park figure of what your benefit rate will be. $600 a week for mass is alot more then the $300 a week or so that GA would pay ya . so pay for the gas or plane trip and go to boston.

[Shawnee Man]

The cheapest flight is to Providence, RI then rent a car to drive 18 miles to Taunton,MA to unemployment office. Get in early as possible. The counselor there is very familiar with out of state claims. She is a great lady.

[Rennhack]

Wondering if I could get some advice...

I live in Georgia but worked two outages at different times in the state of PA..One was December of 2007 and again in May 2008.My Georgia unemployment claim has been closed out and I will have to start a new one, but I was told that it was possible to file on PA, which would get me about 200.00 more a week..Problem is I have no idea what the requirements are and if I qualify..I was also told I would have to drive up there and be in the state when I filed..I dont want to make the trip all the way up there only to be told I dont qualify and have to eat the gas up there and back. I have worked in more than one state in the last 18 months..so that part is covered..just foggy on the rest..any help would be appreciated..

Here is a link to the PA unemployment info:


File for PA UC Benefits
PA Benefit Overview
PA UC Eligibility

[JessJen]

PA requires 16 credit weeks which can hurt at times....also atleast 16k between your two high quarters. 

They are really good about seeing if you qualify before doing anything though so definitely call and see if you can qualify before writing them off. 

[vikingfan]

call both the PA and MASS office talk to them on the requirements in terms of how much you made in each qtr etc. pa pays about 525 a wek for 25 weeks. where as MASS pays 600 a week for 30 weeks. pa pays $8 for dependent. MASS will pay you $25 per dependent child. either way you need to be in the respective state to do the initial claim.

[gravy58]

You don't have to be in PA to open a claim. You can open a claim by phone, They will ask you what state your calling from & you simply tell them PA.
Mass you have to go to the Mass office and do it buy phone there. The person on the phone with you will ask to talk to the receptionist there to verify your in the office.
Mass is the way to go for a good weekly return. I got a round trip ticket for a $100. Flew out of Charlotte in the morning, went to unemployment office across the street from the airport had lunch and was back in Charlotte by 4pm. Back home by the time the wife and kids were home from work and school. Just like another day at the plant.

[hamsamich]

watch out for that "u don't need a phone in PA".  depends.  you most likely have to use a cell phone, or you have to lie and say you are on a cell phone.  and if they have caller ID or other slightly more sophisticated means of finding out where you are you may be in for a shock.  be ready.  i filed "in pa" over the computer from NY and they knew it and turned me down...cost me 2 or 3 weeks of $$$$ because it took them almost 2 weeks to let me know  i had been disapproved.  i know using cell towers it is relatively easy to find out where you made a call from within 1- 5 miles depending on the "cell phone tower density" in the caller area.  it would suck to be given the stamp of approval then 2 months later have to repay your unenjoyment because the state of PA has easy access to cell phone tower data.  do they?  probably not...yet. 

[Rennhack]

watch out for that "u don't need a phone in PA".  depends.  you most likely have to use a cell phone, or you have to lie and say you are on a cell phone.  and if they have caller ID or other slightly more sophisticated means of finding out where you are you may be in for a shock.  be ready.  i filed "in pa" over the computer from NY and they knew it and turned me down...cost me 2 or 3 weeks of $$$$ because it took them almost 2 weeks to let me know  i had been disapproved.  i know using cell towers it is relatively easy to find out where you made a call from within 1- 5 miles depending on the "cell phone tower density" in the caller area.  it would suck to be given the stamp of approval then 2 months later have to repay your unenjoyment because the state of PA has easy access to cell phone tower data.  do they?  probably not...yet. 

Cell tower data is hard to get without a court order, it is unlikely anyone would bother.  The internet, opn the other hand, ever time you access a server, your IP address is saved, and easily accessed for free.  With an IP address, you can get location data easily.  I do it all the time.

[hamsamich]

i understand that, i was just saying you never know what is around the corner for data use.  this is just one example.

http://www.physorg.com/news76178303.html

you never know, they might come up with a system that has a YES or a NO on it, so as not to give out your data.  you never know what new uses technology will bring!  once a technology becomes "old hat", it starts to be used in many different ways never envisioned prior to the onset of that technology.

i just want people to know PA is actively looking at your location whatever way they can get it, so watch out!

remember how hard it used to be to trace someones call?  now it just shows up on caller id!

[Rob143]

i just want people to know PA is actively looking at your location whatever way they can get it, so watch out!

I've never understood the motivation to not just follow the rules on this one.  I drive 5 1/2 hours each way to Mass every year and we've had numerous people on this thread alone state what it cost them to fly into Boston.  I live in PA and only upped my WBR by $130 on my current claim and didn't think twice about the cost of going up to Mass.  Why in the world do people who are looking to increase their WBR by $200 - $300 a week balk at a one time expense of less than one weeks increase to just be in the state they're supposed to be in?  I did myself in a post above mention that I know guys who live outside PA who have told me about the one little check box saying they're in PA.  It is however on you to do the right thing or be willing to suffer the financial repercussions of not doing so.  Despite a few non-believers this is perfectly legal and as Troy said in one post a gift.  Why try cheating in getting a perfectly legal gift?  To each his own.



To correct the 16 weeks and 16K in your two high quarters comment a few posts above regarding PA.  You can qualify based on 16 credit weeks but you only qualify for 16 checks.  To qualify for a full 26 checks you need 18 credit weeks.  A credit week is any week in which you earn $50 or more.  If you get a Sunday layoff that Sunday is in a new unemployment week and as such will be yet another credit week for you.  In regards to the two high quarters PA has never used two high quarters in at least the last 30 years.  I explained in detail in a post several pages back by now exactly what you need to qualify for PA.  As anybody can see claiming PA would be second choice to Mass but there are a few circumstances in which PA may be of benefit and for those people that info was offered.  Pa looks at your high quarter, just one quarter in your base year.  If you fall into the alternate redetermination issue that I mentioned above the appeal letter is quite simple. 

[gracy89]

If you become unemployed, you should file your claim within 7 days of your last day of unemployment to avoid delay in your payment.. To qualify for unemployment, you will have to provide your social security number and the full name, address and telephone number of all employers you have worked for in the last two years. If you are not a United States citizen, you need to provide your alien registration number.

[vikingfan]

If you become unemployed, you should file your claim within 7 days of your last day of unemployment to avoid delay in your payment.. To qualify for unemployment, you will have to provide your social security number and the full name, address and telephone number of all employers you have worked for in the last two years. If you are not a United States citizen, you need to provide your alien registration number.

isn't that a given ??

[Melrose]

Those PA F^%*s are bastagees.  Twice now they've refused to report my my wages to Mass.  Luckily I had enough in the quarter that I didn't need their input and still maxed out.

I got pretty close to the investigator in Mass, she said that it's common with Pa as they're pissed at the loss of money.  This'll be the last year that I work in Pa if I can help it.  (hint for Troy)

Motions are also being made that the Mass gravy train be derailed, making us claim in our home states.  Anybody else hear this news? 
May be old.... sorry if it is.

later

[Smart People]

Those PA F^%*s are bastagees.  Twice now they've refused to report my my wages to Mass.  Luckily I had enough in the quarter that I didn't need their input and still maxed out.

I got pretty close to the investigator in Mass, she said that it's common with Pa as they're pissed at the loss of money.  This'll be the last year that I work in Pa if I can help it.  (hint for Troy)

Motions are also being made that the Mass gravy train be derailed, making us claim in our home states.  Anybody else hear this news? 
May be old.... sorry if it is.

later

I just talked to someone in the Mass. unemployment office and they said that should be coming to pass at the first of the year. if you haven't worked in Mass. then you can't file in Mass.

Sucks

Might be going to PA next year.

[Lorrie Henson]

I just talked to someone in the Mass. unemployment office and they said that should be coming to pass at the first of the year. if you haven't worked in Mass. then you can't file in Mass.

Oh no!! Not good, not good at all... isn't this a Federal program, distributed by the state?  While driving to Mass from Michigan is a PITA, it's only a once a year thing and well worth it with the weekly checks.... I guess we'll have to check out PA next year..   

[hamsamich]

I talked to a guy who works at the mass office.  He said the rumor for the last 10 years is that mass is going to stop interstate claims.  but they havn't yet.  but who knows?

and no, it doesn't always make sense to claim in mass, if you didn't make enough money, it makes way more sense to claim in pa.  people i know found this out the hard way.

rob143, we thought the same way you did, but when jr and deconner friends went to pa and mass, (they had both worked the same plants), the one who went to pa almost maxed out (500), while the ones who went to mass got about 320 a month.  big difference.

[T.VOLS]

I looked through the previous post and did not find an answer to my question....

I have been very lucky over the years and have only had to draw unemployment twice for very short periods of time,one a combined wage claim in Mass and once in OH,which is why I am very inexperienced to these matters......
It looks like my current project is going to end a couple of months before my next one begins so I will probably have to file for unemployment again...
My question is this: I meet the requirements for filing a combined wage claim in Mass,but I did not exhaust my previous OH unemployment benefits...Am I still eligible for unemployment in Mass or do I have to continue to draw from my previous OH claim
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated-----Paul

[wlrun3]

I looked through the previous post and did not find an answer to my question....

I have been very lucky over the years and have only had to draw unemployment twice for very short periods of time,one a combined wage claim in Mass and once in OH,which is why I am very inexperienced to these matters......
It looks like my current project is going to end a couple of months before my next one begins so I will probably have to file for unemployment again...
My question is this: I meet the requirements for filing a combined wage claim in Mass,but I did not exhaust my previous OH unemployment benefits...Am I still eligible for unemployment in Mass or do I have to continue to draw from my previous OH claim
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated-----Paul

   ...yes, you must either exhaust (use all the funds) in an open claim or the base year must have expired before you can open another claim...

   ...I suggest a PM to BeerCourt for specifics...

[Smart People]

   ...yes, you must either exhaust (use all the funds) in an open claim or the base year must have expired before you can open another claim...

   ...I suggest a PM to BeerCourt for specifics...

I believe that the open claim, regardless of whether or not you have used all the funds, is key.

if it has been less than a year since you opened the claim then you have to use that claim for unemployment until you use up the funds or your benefit year ends.

if you use up the funds, then you have to wait until the benefit year ends to open a new claim

[DaveWarren]

Or just quit being a leech on society and get a job.....
(Muffled chuckling)

[T.VOLS]

Or just quit being a leech on society and get a job.....
(Muffled chuckling)

Geez.....Thanks for the compassion my brother.....For the record I am still employed..(As of today anyway)..

[UncaBuffalo]

if you use up the funds, then you have to wait until the benefit year ends to open a new claim

This is true in some states...it's what Idaho told me...BUT it is NOT true in all states.  I exhausted my claim in Idaho, and Massachusetts told me it was still fine to open a claim in Boston - even though only 6 months had passed since my Idaho claim had been opened.

[thenukeman]

UncaBuffalo is correct, As long as you exhausted all your funds from one state, Massachusetts will let you open another claim, Key here is that all funds are exhausted.  This helped me because TN went back 4 quarters but did not use the current quarter I was in which was almost done.  Mass also used my partial quarter I was in so this bracketted nicely and almost got my full 625, got 609.  Massachusetts to the rescue again!!!!!!!!!!!  Use up your Ohio funds T.Vols and you are in business, Just hop a jet to Mass!!  If you worked 2 or more states.

[stownsend]

Or just quit being a leech on society and get a job.....
(Muffled chuckling)

Spoken like a true Republican.

[Smart People]

This is true in some states...it's what Idaho told me...BUT it is NOT true in all states.  I exhausted my claim in Idaho, and Massachusetts told me it was still fine to open a claim in Boston - even though only 6 months had passed since my Idaho claim had been opened.

UncaBuffalo is correct, As long as you exhausted all your funds from one state, Massachusetts will let you open another claim, Key here is that all funds are exhausted.  This helped me because TN went back 4 quarters but did not use the current quarter I was in which was almost done.  Mass also used my partial quarter I was in so this bracketted nicely and almost got my full 625, got 609.  Massachusetts to the rescue again!!!!!!!!!!!  Use up your Ohio funds T.Vols and you are in business, Just hop a jet to Mass!!  If you worked 2 or more states.

Thanks for the info guys, glad to hear it!

[MikeG]

I know this was maybe answered early in these pages but I live in FL and I'm self employed and file a 1099 every year and I wanted to know if I can claim UE on a 1099. I plan on working in Mass for weekend to get combined wage UE. Will any of this work or is it a waste of time. I have read all the posts here and I'm still a little confused so any info will help and be greatly appreciated.