Being laid off, when to apply for unemployment

Local H Jay

Hey all, my company is letting me go and my last day is on the 26th. I am getting a few weeks severance pay but was unsure when to apply for unemployment, as I'll technically be getting paid the next month or so, with a lump sum paid out on that last day. Unsure how to proceed, I don't want to get accidentally rejected if they see I'm still getting paid until then. Thanks in advance.

Elvenshae

There's going to be some differences state-by-state, but in my case when it happened I could apply immediately but the benefits didn't kick in until after my severance period had "run out." (Like, I got a couple months of severance, and so the first couple months I was on unemployment I didn't get anything.)

Local H Jay

Ah good point. I'm in IL if it makes a big difference. I figured applying earlier was better but wasn't sure.

Darkewolfe

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/can-i-get-severance-pay-and-unemployment-benefits

"Illinois considers severance pay as money you receive for work you did during the time you were employed. Since your severance pay is not considered income, it will not usually affect your unemployment benefits."

YMMV read more.

MichaelLC

This is from the IDES website. Check out the programs named here, may be able to get more due to COVID-19

https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/SitePages/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?NewsID=529

zepherin

Every time I've been unemployed, I did it immediately. And then certified every week.

With Virginia and Maryland, the automated phone system, was a million times easier than the web based system. Leaps and bounds easier, and less time consuming. Get that phone number and just schedule every Sunday or Monday (depending on state when they have their weeks started) to call unemployment and put in your weekly cert.

Local H Jay

I'm curious, I tried to enter my start date as the 26th since I'll be paid until then, but it said I cannot use a future date? Should I file as if I was fired the day I was told, or wait?

Skeith

You'll have to wait til the 26th to file, even with a firm layoff date in hand from your employer. Depending on how wonky the system is it might not accept the initial claim until the 27th, possibly longer if they're backlogged. I had to wait around a month for my initial claim to be processed. FWIW, you might end up with a biweekly claim certification schedule, so don't freak out if you go to file a claim the week after you get approved and it doesn't let you. You should call just to clarify if you can file the initial claim on the 26th, the 27th, or if you'll have to wait until March 1st because of the weekend.

ED!

I would also look into whether or not your state is department of labor is being impacted by coronavirus; in GA there are news and horror stories about months (like 6 or 8 months) long waits for benefits. Inquire whether or not your employer can initially file on your behalf: this is usually the cause of delays (as UI has to determine eligibility - however there's not much to determine if your work files for you).

zepherin

Local H Jay wrote: »

I'm curious, I tried to enter my start date as the 26th since I'll be paid until then, but it said I cannot use a future date? Should I file as if I was fired the day I was told, or wait?

In most states it's based on when you earn the income not when you receive the income. Some places are behind a paycheck so if you are laid off on the 12th but you have paychecks coming the 19th or the 26th. Your file on the 12th. Because that's when you earned the income. Their payroll being behind usually doesn't effect your unemployment. And usually the language is income earned. And they do that because they don't want you claiming unemployment after you got a new job because you didn't' receive a check for the first 3 weeks. If you start a job, they want to cut you off.

mRahmani

I got laid off in 2019 with a severance package, paid biweekly for 2 months. I applied immediately and disclosed my severance, and waited two months while my status was “investigated.” Eventually I got one check, then a form letter demanding to know why i falsified my UI request (I didn’t), and ultimately i had to pay the amount back anyway.

None of which is to dissuade you from applying for UI, but ask very pointed questions about how severance is handled in your state.