What Do You Need To Know?
Due to higher unemployment rates, losing a job is stressful for individuals and their families. Fortunately, the Illinois Department of Employment Security provides unemployment benefits to those in the state through the Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.
The federal government and the state of Illinois are partnering to fund this program, which temporarily assists local individuals who have lost their jobs and encourages them to find a full-time opportunity.
The Illinois Unemployment Insurance program has a limited duration, and you must find a job before the end of this time. However, if you fail to find a job despite your efforts, you can apply for an extension of the program.
Are You Eligible?
Certain factors determine your eligibility for the Illinois Unemployment Insurance program. You can qualify for the program benefits after fulfilling the following conditions:
- The program is for those with an employment history.
- Applicants must have earned a minimum set amount of money before unemployment.
- The applicant must be completely unemployed while applying for the program.
- The applicant must be willing to work whenever available and not decline any offer.
- The applicant must be actively looking for suitable job opportunities.
- The applicant should not be responsible for his unemployment.
- Do not commit fraud while applying for the program or during its continuation. This includes, but is not limited to, providing inaccurate information to IDES or hiding part-time income.
- Good physical fitness is also mandatory for the applicant as the temporary job under the program requires physical work.
- The applicant cannot apply immediately after being unemployed. They should wait for at least a week and then submit the application.
- The applicants should earn less than 50% of the benefit amount per week if working part-time. Otherwise, they will receive partial benefits of the program, and the amount exceeding 50% of the benefits will be deducted.
You can get further details about the eligibility criteria for the Illinois Unemployment Insurance program by visiting the official site of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Here, you need to provide details about your:
- Citizenship Status
- Work Experience
- Unemployment Status
It is important to remember that the opportunity under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance benefit is not a full-time job. You will only get a job for the time being, making it necessary to get a full-time job before that period. Additionally, report your new job to the authority immediately after you get one.
How to Apply?
The application process for applying to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) program includes:
Apply Online
Visit the official website of the Illinois Department of Employment Security to submit your application online. The page provides all the necessary information required to understand the online application submission process for the Unemployment Insurance program.
The information includes queries about the benefits and limitations of the unemployment insurance program. Additionally, the department has ensured the online safety of the candidates through a robust online security system.
The applicants must have the following documents with them while applying:
- Driver’s license
- INS identification
- Passport
- Non-drivers picture identification
- Personal Identification Number(PIN) for verification purposes
- Employment status/history
- Social Security Number (SSN)
Apply Through the Local Office
Candidates can apply physically by visiting their nearest unemployment insurance program office. The office provides first-hand information regarding the application process and detailed guidelines about the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Program.
Apply via Phone Call
Another option to apply for the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Program is by using designated toll-free phone numbers. These are:
- 1-800-244-5631
- 1-800-247-4984.
- 1-866-662-3943 (If you are a TTY user)
A representative will answer your call and provide comprehensive information regarding the program, such as those related to certifications, tax contribution rate, direct deposit, and requirements of the program.
The UI office provides necessary information in a simple and understandable manner, ensuring a quick and error-free completion of the application process. Due to this support, the application process usually completes within 10-15 minutes. After application submission, you need to wait until you receive notification from the Employment Insurance office.
For Further Information
To learn more about the program, you can visit its official website. The website provides accurate, to-the-point, and comprehensive information about all necessary features of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Furthermore, it assists by providing information about the application process and eligibility criteria for candidates.
The assistance from the website is not limited to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. In addition, the Illinois JobLink page provides information about job opportunities for fresh graduates and professionals. Furthermore, companies can also use this page to find suitable employees for their organizations.
