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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE COMPENSATION UPDATE

updated 12/23/09

Online Application for Extension of Unemployment Benefits


On Monday, December 7, 2009, the TDLWD mailed approximately 25,000 letters to those claimants who had previously exhausted their EUC08 Tier 2 or Tennessee Extended unemployment benefits.  The letters notified those individuals that new federal legislation has provided for EUC08 Tiers 3 and 4 benefits.  On Friday, December 12, 2009, we began accepting applications for these new extended benefits.  The applications are available online at https://tdlwd.tn.gov/aeuc/ and at Tennessee Career Centers.  The first payable week for Tier 3 benefits will be November 14, 2009 and the first checks will be mailed December 18, 2009.

If you are currently receiving Tennessee Extended benefits or EUC08 Tier 2 benefits, you will automatically transition into the next appropriate category of extended benefits if eligible.

How to Apply for Benefits
Claimants who have already exhausted their benefits will need to fill out an online application that will be available on our home page (www.tn.gov/labor-wfd) on December 11, 2009.  If you do not have a computer, go to the nearest Career Center to apply at no charge.  Click here to find a Career Center in your area (www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/cccounty.htm).  If you exhaust your State Extended Benefits (EB09) benefits after December 17th, you will automatically transition into the new benefits without needing to apply.

The Amount of Benefits
The first payable week of benefits is the week ending November 14, 2009.  All eligible back weeks will be paid in full once the program is fully implemented. 

All claims are unique, and individual benefit amounts are based on each claimant’s initial claim eligibility, wage history and subsequent employment status.

Definition of Benefits – How it works
Claimants must exhaust each tier of benefits before moving to the next.

Tennessee Unemployment Compensation (TUC)
-up to 26 weeks
-the maximum amount of benefit is $275 depending on your initial claim eligibility, wage history, and subsequent employment status.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC 08 or Tier 1)
-up to 20 weeks
-authorized after regular unemployment benefits have been exhausted
-later modified from 13 to 20 weeks
-last filing date must be prior to 2/28/10
-26+20=46 benefit weeks*
*maximum amount based on initial claim eligibility, wage history, and subsequent employment status.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC 08 or Tier 2)
-up to 13 weeks
-authorized after Tier 1 benefits have been exhausted
-last day to file for EUC08 is 2/28/10, program ends 7/31/2010
-26+20+13=59 benefit weeks*
*maximum amount based on initial claim eligibility, wage history, and subsequent employment status

State Extended Benefits Program (EB09)
-up to 20 weeks
-authorized after EUC08 benefits have been exhausted
-26+20+13+20=79 benefit weeks*
*maximum amount based on initial claim eligibility, wage history, and subsequent employment status.

Unemployment Compensation Extension (Tier 3 & Tier 4)
-up to 20 weeks
-signed into law on November 6th, 2009
-first payable week is 11/14/2009
-online and phone certification begins December 23, 2009
-26+20+13+20+20=99 benefit weeks*
*maximum amount based on initial claim eligibility, wage history, and subsequent employment status.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA or Stimulus) provides an additional $25 weekly until 8/31/2010.  New claims filed after 2/28/2010 will not receive the additional $25 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the latest extension of benefits just signed into law on November 6, 2009?  Claimants who have exhausted all of their benefits will need to fill out an online application available on our home page at (www.tn.gov/labor-wfd).  If you do not have a computer, go to the nearest Career Center to use a computer or receive a printed copy at no charge.  Click here to find a Career Center in your area (www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/cccounty.htm).

I didn’t qualify for the State Extended Benefits because I ran out of my unemployment benefits before 2/28/09.  Can I apply for the new extension of unemployment?  Yes.  There are approximately 2,500 Tennesseans in this category who may qualify for this extension.  The same online application should be filled out that will be available on December 11th at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd.

Will the new benefits go back to when my last claim ran out?  No.  Your benefits will begin the week of November 14, 2009.  Your first check will include the week ending November 14th, and shortly afterward another check including back weeks leading to full implementation of the program will be mailed.

How do I know which level of benefits I am drawing?  Claimants are mailed a new monetary determination specific to them for each tier (or level) of benefits.  Those claimants who have exhausted their EUC08 unemployment benefits will be notified in writing on or around December 7, 2009.