How to Qualify for Unemployment in Tennessee

If you have recently lost your job or had your hours significantly reduced in Tennessee you may qualify for unemployment insurance. Act quickly because you will not want to let benefits go unclaimed or have your benefits delayed.

Instructions

1. First determine if you were an employee of a company -- in which case you would be eligible for benefits -- or if you were self-employed, in which case you would not be eligible. Those who are generally eligible for benefits would include:

   A. Corporate officers (including subchapter S corporations)
   B. Individuals who, under the usual common-law rules applicable in determining the employer/employee relationship, have the status of an employee
   C. Employees on whose earnings employers are required to pay Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
   D. Specific agricultural workers
   E. Specific domestic workers
   F. Workers considered to be employees are described in Tennessee Law (Section 50-7-207(b)). Workers considered to be employees are described in Tennessee Code Annotated (Section 50-7-207(c))

2. Ask yourself if you lost your job or had your hours reduced through no fault of your own. If you are out of work because of a layoff, you are most likely eligible for unemployment insurance. If your hours were significantly reduced (below 32 hours per week), you most likely qualify for Tennessee partial unemployment insurance benefits. If you quit your job or were fired, you can still file an unemployment application to see, if in your case, you are still eligible. You may be eligible if the reasons for your termination did not stem from your own misconduct, and you might be eligible if you quit because your job condition changed, or because your workplace was hazardous or hostile.

3. Review the following list. These employee actions may all be reasons an employer can fight your unemployment claim in Tennessee.

   Absenteeism/Tardiness
   Violation of company policy
   Poor work performance
   Drugs/Intoxicants
   Refused work shift
   Falsification of application
   Stealing

   If you are guilty of any of these issues and were fired, you can still file an unemployment claim. However, your employer may try to fight you. If you feel like your employer may bring false claims against you, prepare ahead of time by documenting your employer's actions.

4. Make sure you are able to work, available for work and making an active effort to find new employment. If you are not, you most likely will not be eligible for unemployment insurance in Tennessee

Tips & Warnings

• To file for unemployment benefits, go to your local Department of Labor and

• Workforce Development office or Career Center. Call toll-free 1-800-576-3467 for the location of the most convenient office.