Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits
Benefit Extensions Ending ** Update 02/8/2012 **
Under federal law, Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit extensions are set to expire as early as February 25, 2012. If you are currently receiving unemployment benefits, read how you may be affected.
Overview
There are currently two benefit extension programs available:
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.
Extended Benefits (EB)
Extended Benefits (EB) are available to individuals who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment.
What are individuals eligible for?
Currently, the maximum number of weeks an individual can receive UI benefits in Wisconsin is 86 weeks.
| Benefit Program | Weeks Available | Deadline to Establish Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| EUC Tier 1 | up to 20 weeks | Exhaust regular UI by week ending 02/25/2012 |
| EUC Tier 2 | up to 14 weeks | Exhaust Tier 1 by week ending 03/03/2012 |
| EUC Tier 3 | up to 13 weeks | Exhaust Tier 2 by week ending 03/03/2012 |
| EUC Tier 4 | up to 6 weeks | Exhaust Tier 3 by week ending 08/14/2010 |
| EB | up to 13 weeks | Exhaust Tier 3 or Tier 4 by week ending 03/03/2012 |
| High EB | up to 7 weeks | Exhaust EB by week ending 10/16/2010 |
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.
Who is eligible to receive Extended Benefits?
To be eligible for EB benefits you must:
Qualify for EUC (see above) and then
- Exhaust all regular UI benefits and all available EUC Tiers; and
- Be unemployed or working reduced hours; and
- Be seeking work and submitting evidence of work search to DWD. (see EB work search requirements below)
How do I file for EUC and EB?
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 Tier 4 benefits in the future, claimants will automatically be notified.
What are the EB work search requirements?
EB work search requirements are very different than those for EUC or regular UI benefits.
Work search requirement changes are as follows:
- You will be required to look for work while filing for EB even if you were not required to look for work before.
- Work search activity for each week must be recorded and submitted to the Department for review. Payment for the week may not be made until we receive evidence that the required work search has been made.
- Failure to perform an adequate search for work will result in an indefinite disqualification.
How to submit the record of your work search activity:
- The first week of EB will not require a work search record. The requirement to submit the work search record begins the week after the mail date on the EB work search notice (EB-16492).
- Online - An online weekly work search form is available. It is included as part of the internet weekly claim. After completing the regular weekly claim questions, EB claimants will be presented the online work search form.
-
Mail – Record your work search activity on the
EB-12 Work Search Log
completing all requested information. Do not use this work search log if
you are not an EB Claimant. If you are not an EB claimant, then
sending in this form might prevent payment of benefits. EB claimants receive
a notice of EB eligibility. Mail the log on a weekly basis to the
address below.
Unemployment Insurance Division
P. O. Box 7905
Madison, WI 53707 - Fax – Fax your EB-12 Work Search Log to 608-327-6499