Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tier 3 Becomes Available Again
**Update May 1, 2013**
Beginning May 12, 2013, Tier 3 of the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program will again be available to Wisconsin claimants who exhaust EUC Tier 2 benefits.
EUC Tier 3 had been closed to new participants beginning February 10, 2013. Since that time, claimants who exhausted EUC Tier 2 and were not eligible for EUC Tier 3 must reactivate their claims if they did not continue to file weekly claims.
Overview
There is currently one benefit extension program available (until the week ending December 28, 2013).
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
EUC is a 100% federally funded program that provides benefits to individuals who have exhausted regular state benefits. The EUC program was created on June 30, 2008, and has been modified several times.
What are individuals eligible for?
Currently, the maximum number of weeks an individual can receive UI benefits in Wisconsin depends upon the time each EUC Tier begins. The following chart includes current and past federal extensions to UI benefits.
The 2011 Federal Budget Control Act established automatic spending cuts (otherwise referred to as “Sequestration”) designed to reduce federal budget deficits. As a result, there is a 10.7% reduction to the EUC Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) and to the EUC Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA). The percentage reduction applies to all EUC payments beginning with the week ending April 6, 2013 (UI week 14/13).
| Benefit Program | Weeks Available | Deadline to Establish Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| EUC Tier 1 | up to 14 weeks * | Exhaust regular UI by week ending 12/21/2013 |
| EUC Tier 2 | up to 14 weeks | Exhaust Tier 1 by week ending 12/21/2013 |
| EUC Tier 3 | up to 9 weeks ** | Exhaust Tier 2 by week ending 12/21/2013 |
| EUC Tier 4 | up to 6 weeks | Exhaust Tier 3 by week ending 8/14/2010 |
| Extended Benefits (EB) | up to 13 weeks | Exhaust Tier 3 or Tier 4 by week ending 3/31/2012 |
| High EB | up to 7 weeks | Exhaust EB by week ending 10/16/2010 |
| * Tier 1: Per federal law, EUC Tier 1 provided up to 20 weeks of benefits
for those who entered EUC Tier 1 on or before 9/1/2012 ** Tier 3: Per federal law, EUC Tier 3 provided up to 13 weeks of benefits for those who entered EUC Tier 3 on or before 9/22/2012. |
Who is eligible to receive EUC benefits?
To be eligible for EUC benefits you must:
- Have an unemployment claim that began on or after May 07, 2006; and
- Have base period wages in the base period of this claim that is equal to at least 40 times your regular benefit rate; and
- Exhausted your regular benefits or your benefit year has ended and not be eligible for a new claim in any state; and
- Be unemployed or working reduced hours; and
- Be able and available for work and looking for work.
- Participate in Job Service Career Planning Services when directed.
How do I file for EUC?
If you are currently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits, continue to file your weekly claim if you are still unemployed or working reduced hours. You will be notified by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits.
If you have not been filing weekly claims and are still unemployed or working reduced hours, you will need to file an application for these additional benefits online or by telephone. You will be notified by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits.
Will I be notified when my benefits are ending?
DWD notifies affected claimants when benefits are exhausted or when there is a major change to a benefit extension program. Should Wisconsin become eligible for additional benefits in the future, claimants will be notified automatically.