Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment compensation provides for a continuation of income for unemployed workers and their families. Employers do not have a choice of whether to provide unemployment benefits; all employers must contribute to the unemployment insurance funds in their states. And, the amount of benefits is set by law.

Benefits are available only to workers who are actively seeking suitable work to replace jobs they lost through no fault of their own. Workers laid off when there is no longer a need for their services and workers who lose their job because of lack of ability to meet the job’s requirements are eligible for benefits. However, claimants who are fired because of misconduct or who are not willing, able, and available for work are not eligible for unemployment benefits...