Handbook for Claimants

In English  |  En Español  |  Txhais lus Hmoob

READ THIS HANDBOOK: It contains important information and instructions about your eligibility for benefits and how to protect your rights to those benefits under the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance law.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING ALL OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS HANDBOOK. YOU ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INACCURATE OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION THAT YOU PROVIDE.

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Table of Contents

Why We Need Your Social Security Number

Part 1: Security Credentials, Social Security Number & Your Address

• Your Correct Address

Part 2: To Apply for Benefits

• When to Apply
• If your Application Raises an Eligibility Question
• Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA)

Part 3: Filing a Weekly Claim Certification

• What is a Weekly Claim Certification?
• When to File
• Filing a Weekly Claim Certification
• When to Report that You Worked and Earned Wages
• When to Report that You Received Holiday, Vacation or Dismissal Pay
• If You Make a Mistake When Filing Your Weekly Claim Certification (before Claim Acceptance)
• How You Know Your Weekly Claim Certification Filed Is Complete (Claim Acceptance)
• If Your Weekly Claim Certification Filed Online or by Telephone Raises an Eligibility Question
• When to Expect Your Payments
• Direct Deposit
• Visa^® Pre-Paid Debit Card
• Changing Your Address

Part 4: Work Search; Registration for Work; Re-employment Services

• Work Search
• Registration for Work
• Re-employment Services
• Help in Finding Employment
• Re-employment Programs

Part 5: Computing Benefit Entitlement

• Calendar Quarter
• Base Period
• Lag Period
• Covered and Excluded Employment
• High Quarter
• Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR)
• Qualifying Wages
• Benefit Year
• Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)
• Benefit Computation
• Computing Partial Unemployment Benefits for a Weekly Claim When Income was Reported
• Maximum Weekly Earnings
• Verifying Your Earnings
• Retirement Pay Reduction
• Child Support Deductions

Part 6: Eligibility Issues

• What is an Eligibility Issue?
• Common Disqualifications
• Filing for Unemployment Benefits While a Student
• Pre-Employment Drug Screen
• Retirement Pay Reductions
• Verifying Employment Eligibility

Part 7: Fraud and Quality Control

• Concealment (Fraud)
• Overpayment Recovery
• Quality Control Program

Part 8: Your Unemployment Records

• Privacy
• Income Taxes

Appendix: Hours of Operation - Online Services and Contact Information

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Publication Number: UCB-10-P

Chapter 108 Wisconsin Statutes

DWD is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. If you have a disability and need assistance with this information, please dial 7-1-1 for Wisconsin Relay Service. Please contact the Unemployment Insurance Division at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free at (844) 910-3661 to request information in an alternate format, including translated to another language.

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Updated: January 12, 2022