How Do I Know What Tier of Benefits I Am On?
The high rate of unemployment throughout the United States has created a large influx of people in the unemployment insurance system. This has resulted in long wait times for phone service representatives in many states. This can be extremely frustrating if you only have a simple question like, "What tier of benefits am I on?" Fortunately, there is a simple way to figure out the answer to this particular question with information you already have on hand.
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Instructions
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1
Determine the first week you were paid unemployment benefits by the Federal government (this is after your state benefits have ended). This can be done by checking the date on a paper check stub or the deposits in your bank account.
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2
Count the number of weeks between the check date and this week. Subtract two weeks because the paychecks are for the two previous weeks of unemployment (just like a job you get paid for the work, or in this case the lack of work, you have done).
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Look at the following chart to figure out what benefit tier you are on:
Tier 1 - weeks 1 to 20
Tier 2 - weeks 21 to 34
Tier 3 - weeks 34 to 47
Tier 4 - weeks 47 to 53
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1
Tips & Warnings
The tier system kicks into effect after your state unemployment benefits run out.
Depending on your state, benefits may end at tier 2. People in states with high unemployment are eligible for tier 3 and 4 benefits.
Extended benefits of 20 weeks past tier 4 were available to people claiming unemployment before Nov. 2010. That program has since been eliminated.
References
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