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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – APPENDIX G

Unemployment Insurance A Guide to Sources of Unearned Income 12 When a person requests benefits in a written statement but dies before filing the application, benefits may be payable for certain months to a survivor whose eligibility depended upon the claimant’s entitlement to benefits. Unemployment Insurance The unemployment insurance program provides partial income replacement for a limited period to persons who become unemployed. It is a State-administered program with Federal participation. ESD (Unemployment Security Department) ESD is responsible for handling the claims of unemployed workers, deciding in each case whether the claimant is entitled to unemployment benefits, and issuing checks to eligible unemployed workers. The general requirements for receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits are listed below. • The worker must register for work and file a claim at the local ESD office. • The worker must have previously worked on a job covered by the State law. This includes most types of paid employment in industry and government. Certain agriculture and domestic employment is not covered. • The worker must have a prescribed amount of earnings during a specified “base period”, generally a year prior to the time a claim is submitted. • The worker must be able to work. Unemployment Insurance benefits are not payable to workers who are sick or unable to work for any other reason. • The worker must be available for work and must be ready and willing to take a suitable job if one is offered. The worker must not have: a) Quit his job voluntarily without good cause; been discharged for misconduct in connection with the work; b) Refused or failed without good cause, to apply for or to accept an offer of suitable work; or c) Become unemployed because of a work stoppage at the last place of employment due to a labor dispute in which he is interested or participating. The amount of the weekly UI payment varies according to the benefit formula. Minimum limits and maximum benefits are stipulated. Benefits are payable for partial unemployment.