Unemployment Tips

This is mainly for my former co-workers, but if there happens to be another unfortunate reader facing unemployment I hope this information helps you, too.

Here are some tips and details I have learned from my experience in the first "graduating class" in our layoff:

1) You can't file for unemployment the week of your last day of work.
On our last day, a few folks from the unemployment office (They call themselves Northeast Tennessee Career Center, but I will call them the unemployment office.) came to our building and met with us.  We were told they were coming to help us fill out the unemployment paperwork so we wouldn't have to go to their office.  Instead, they showed a brief PowerPoint, gave us pamphlets of information and talked to us about their training center.  Our last day was a Wednesday, so they told us we had already made too much money that week to file a claim for unemployment and we needed to come into the office the following week to file.  I was later told by an employee at the unemployment office that if we had filed that week, it would have been rejected because of the earnings the previous week.  Still, I don't see why we couldn't go ahead and fill out the paperwork.

2) File in person.
The options are Monday, Thursday or Friday, 8:30 or 1:00.  They suggested we come on Thursday because they were expecting a crowd on Monday.  I thought I'd go on Monday anyway (They were expecting us, too!), but it snowed 4 inches Sunday night so I stayed at home.  I contemplated filing online, but then I had a bunch of questions so thought I'd better do it in person and harass someone until I felt ok with it.  :)  So I went on Thursday at 8:35 am.  It turns out 8:30 and 1:00 weren't the times they opened the doors in the morning and after lunch, those are the times they have a sort of "class" for the paperwork.  I was a bit behind, but listened to their speech while I wrote.  So, get there before 8:30 or 1:00 when you go.

Here's an interesting point - they don't agree with themselves on which method of filing is faster, online or in person.  In the PowerPoint handout there was a slide that said it is faster to apply online.  I was taking notes as the guy sped through the information, and right beside that slide I wrote, "it's quicker if you apply in person."  Hmmm.  One of the other graduates chose to apply online and we watched to see how they compared.  She grew concerned after her information wasn't on their web site (https://ui.tn.gov/) like mine. She called the Nashville office and was told her claim was still pending and she might not get a check for 4 or 5 weeks!  They also assured her it was faster to apply online.  Not to worry, though, she got her first check the same time I did.

3) Take your resume to the unemployment office.
Some of the paperwork you have to fill out requires you to list your last four employers with details such as years and salary.  You will finish much faster if you have this information with you.  I'm not exactly sure why they ask for this information, they might use it if you let them help you find a job.

4) Take your bank account information with you.
When we filled out our paperwork, the only payment option was paper check, but we were told we would be mailed instructions on changing it to one of two new options: a debit card or direct deposit into your bank account.  I never got instructions on changing it, I just found it on the above web site and changed it myself once I was in their system.  They may direct you to do the same, but in case they include it with the original paperwork you will want to have your routing and account number handy.

Oh, and direct deposit gets your money to you much faster!  We were told to call if we didn't receive our check by Friday of the week we were to be paid.  My money was deposited in my bank on Tuesday!

5)  What's a waiting week?
After you file your unemployment claim you have to wait a week before they will process a check for you.  For example, I filed in person on Thursday, January 13th.  On Sunday, January 16th, I called in to "certify" that I didn't work any the previous week and that began my waiting week.  The following Sunday, January 23rd, I called in to "certify" that I didn't work any the previous week and that generated my first check which I received on Tuesday, January 25th.

We were told that after we had received 4 checks, we would receive a check for double the amount to make up for the waiting week.  However, the 4th week after we filed we received the double check, on our 3rd check.

This is copied from https://ui.tn.gov/:  "The first week of the first approved unemployment claim in a benefit year is a “waiting week”. No payment is issued for the waiting week unless your claim is approved and you certify for 4 consecutive weeks at the beginning of that claim."

6) Monetary Determination.
The unemployment office will give you a sheet of paper listing your salary for four of the last five quarters.  These amounts will be higher in some quarters, but it should be because each quarter doesn't contain the same number of paychecks.  It's still a good idea to look at your records and verify the numbers, but don't be alarmed (like I was) when you first see the varying amounts.

7) Max Earnings Allowance.
There is also confusion about earnings allowance.  They briefly mentioned something about deductions in the PowerPoint, but I thought they were talking about taxes.  When I asked about it in my "class" the lady at first said she didn't want to get into it because it just confuses everybody.  Remember what I said before about harassing someone with questions until I understood?  Apparently, you can have some income and still receive the maximum benefit amount.  The maximum weekly amount Tennesseans can receive is $275.  On your Monetary Determination sheet it will list a Max Earnings Allowance.  You are free to find employment that will pay you this amount each week and it won't affect your unemployment.  However, if your income exceeds that amount, it will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.  Either way, you have to tell them about any income when you "certify" the following week.

This is also from their web site:  "When you first file your claim you will receive information concerning your earnings allowance. This amount is allowed each week before any deductions are made from your unemployment benefit amount provided the amount is less than you are set up to receive."


I hope this information answers some questions and might cause a little less anxiety for those of you just going through this.  There is a lot of misinformation out there, but so far it has been nothing to worry about.