Wisconsin Reasons for Denial of Unemployment Benefits
All unemployed workers in Wisconsin have a right to apply for unemployment benefits. Filing an application, however, does not ensure a resident will receive benefits. The state has guidelines for determining eligibility, and failure to meet any of the requirements will result in a denial or disqualification. Following a denial of benefits, residents may submit a new application after they have had gainful employment for a period of time.
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Wages
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A factor in eligibility for unemployment benefits is an applicant's wages during his base period, which is a one-year span starting approximately 15 months before the initial claim. Failure to earn sufficient wages during the base period will result in a denial of benefits. Applicants must have earned wages in at least two quarters of their base period. As of 2011, they must have earned at least $1,350 during the highest-paying quarter, among other considerations.
Quitting
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Wisconsin makes unemployment benefits available to residents who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The state generally denies benefits to applicants who have quit their jobs without good cause. Such applicants must find gainful employment and earn at least four times their designated weekly benefit rate before being eligible to receive benefits. State officials conduct fact-finding interviews with applicants who have quit their jobs to determine whether they had good cause. Examples of good cause are quitting because the employer is moving out of the labor market; the employer is not paying appropriate wages or the employer cannot accommodate an employee's disability.
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Termination
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Termination for misconduct generally renders applicants ineligible for unemployment benefits in Wisconsin until they have found employment and earned 14 times their weekly benefit rate. Excessive absences or tardiness results in a denial of benefits until applicants earn six times their weekly benefit rate. Actions that qualify as legitimate misconduct, according to the state, are theft, insubordination and falsification of employer documents. Violation of any policy in a company handbook or manual may also qualify.
Work Availability
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After initial approval of their unemployment benefits claims, Wisconsin residents remain eligible only if they fulfill work search requirements. Refusing work without good cause forces applicants to earn four times their weekly benefit rate before again receiving benefits. Other circumstances that may result in an interruption of benefits are a failure to make what the state deems an acceptable work search; a failure to be able to work and available to work; and, for part-time employees, a failure to accept all work hours that their employer makes available. As well, the state may deny benefits to anyone unemployed because of a strike or any other labor dispute except a lockout.
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