- You lost your job through no fault of your own.
- You must be actively seeking work.
- You must be able and available to work.
- You must have enough work history and earnings in the past 18 months to be “Monetarily eligible”.
How do I apply for unemployment benefits?
You can apply for unemployment online or by telephone. Your best option for filing an unemployment claim is to file online. Calling the department to speak with a customer service representative may be difficult during periods of high call volumes, especially Mondays and Tuesdays in the winter; you may experience a long wait time on the phone or get a message to call back later in the day. Wait times are typically shorter on Wednesdays and Thursdays and in the afternoon.
How long will I receive unemployment benefits in Maine?
The maximum amount of benefits you can receive, as well as the length of time that you may receive benefits, depends on your individual earnings, but is limited to a maximum of 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. Not all individuals qualify for all 26 weeks. Not all weeks need to be used consecutively, but must be used within the benefit year.
What is the 'base period' for unemployment benefits?
The base period is the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of your benefit year. We will use the last four completed quarters if you are not eligible using the regular base period quarters.
How can I submit evidence supporting my hearing for unemployment benefits in Maine?
If you have documentation that you would like the Hearing Officer to consider at the hearing, please submit the information prior to the hearing either:Via Fax: (207)287-5949 Via Email: [email protected] Via Regular Mail: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, Division of Administrative Hearings, 30 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-00
When will I get my decision on unemployment benefits after the hearing?
The decision will be sent to you in writing typically within two weeks of the hearing date. The Division staff cannot advise you of the results of the decision verbally.
Do I need an attorney for my hearing for unemployment benefits?
See full answerYou have the right to hire an attorney or another individual who you authorize to represent you at your hearing, at your own expense. You are not required to have an attorney or representative at the hearing and, in fact, most parties do not have representatives. The Administrative Hearing Officer will ensure that each party, whether represented or not, receives a fair and impartial hearing. If you do have legal representation, you must ensure that your attorney is given notice of the hearing in time to prepare. The Division of Administrative Hearings will NOT postpone a hearing because a party or their attorney would like more time to prepare.
What if I don't answer the call for the hearing for unemployment benefits?
It is important that you are ready and prepared to go forward with your hearing at the scheduled time. If you are the appealing party and you do not appear for your hearing – whether it is by telephone or in person – YOUR APPEAL WILL BE DISMISSED. If you are the non-appealing party and you do not appear, the hearing will continue without you. Your failure to appear may result in a denial of further rights of appeal.
How do I withdraw the appeal for unemployment benefits in Maine?
If you are the appealing party and decide that you no longer wish to move forward with the appeal you may withdraw your appeal by submitting your request in writing either:Via Fax: (207)287-5949 Via Email: [email protected] Via Regular Mail: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, Division of Administrative Hearings, 30 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0030.If a written request to withdraw the appeal is not received before the scheduled hearing, the Hearing Officer will attempt to contact you for the hearing.
How do I request a subpoena for my unemployment benefits hearing?
See full answerIf you ask someone to appear as a witness and they refuse, you may request that they be subpoenaed. This means they will be required by law to appear. You also have the right to request a subpoena for written documents or other evidence that you are unable to obtain on your own. Subpoena requests may be submitted in writing to the Division of Administrative Hearings and should include a detailed explanation of the evidence being requested and the reason you need that evidence for your hearing. You must also include a full name and address of the witness you are requesting to be subpoenaed, or the name and address of the individual or entity that possesses the documents you are seeking for the hearing.
Can I have a representative at the hearing for unemployment benefits?
The Administrative Hearing Officer will ensure that each party, whether represented or not, receives a fair and impartial hearing. You may choose to have a representative for the hearing. The representative would be the person who could question you, the opposing party and any witnesses. Representatives typically do not provide testimony.
What happens if you are denied a claim from MDOL?
If an individual is denied, they will receive a written determination from MDOL in the mail. There are a number of reasons a claim could be denied. This will be explained in the determination letter they receive. They will need to follow the instructions in that written determination letter.
Can you lock up your unemployment account?
There are two common issues that are locking up unemployment accounts. First, usernames are case-sensitive so: do not use capital letters. Second, as soon as you create an on-line account, verify your email. This will help you reset your password later if needed.
How To Get Cobra
Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see COBRA Premium Subsidy. The page links to information about COBRA including:
How To Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Maine
In order to apply for Maine unemployment, residents must meet specific requirements. If you lose your job it is recommended that you apply for Maineunemployment benefits within a week in order to maximize what you can be paid. Benefits will not begin until your Maine unemployment application is received and processed.
Other Types Of Disqualification
Yes. The law imposes a special between-terms disqualification whereby certain college and school employees cannot be paid benefits for any week of unemployment which begins during the period between two successive academic years or terms.
What Kinds Of Unemployment Claims Do I Qualify For
Congress enacted, and Maine opted-in to, new temporary federal unemployment programs created by theCARES Act. The U.S. Department of Labor released program guidance and the Maine Department of Labor is working to implement them as quickly as possible.
My Employer Has Been Approved For A Payroll Protection Loan And Is Telling Me That While The Business Is Not Yet Open For Employees To Return To Work They Would Like To Put Me Back On Payroll To Receive My Wages Can I Refuse To Be Put Back On Payroll And Continue Collecting Unemployment Benefits Instead
No, employees should go back onto payroll if they have the option to do so. An employee would no longer be eligible for unemployment benefits if they are receiving either their full wages, or more than $467 a week, as they would not be considered unemployed.
How To File A Claim For Unemployment Benefits In Maine
You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online, by phone, or by mail. You can find online filing information, telephone contact information, and forms and addresses of local offices where you can file by mail, at the website of the Maine Department of Labor.
How Do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits Online
You must create an online account to file an application for unemployment insurance online. Your account also provides access to the Claimant Self-Service Portal, where you can get information about your claim at any time. You must submit a Weekly Certification after each week for which you would like to receive benefits.
What is unemployment in Maine?
Unemployment Insurance Program. The Maine Department of Labor's Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs provide unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own, (as determined under Maine State law), and meet certain other eligibility requirements.
How does unemployment insurance get funded?
The funding for unemployment insurance benefits comes from taxes paid by employers. Workers do not pay any of the costs. To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have earned sufficient wages during a specified time (monetary eligibility). To collect benefits, you must meet certain legal eligibility requirements.
What is covered employment?
Covered employment refers to those employers who fall under the coverage of the state and federal unemployment insurance programs and pay unemployment taxes on their workers. The main activities NOT included in Covered employment are self-employment, railroads, and small agricultural activities.
How long does it take to file unemployment?
You can file unemployment any day of the week online or by phone. Be aware, however, that each claim must be filed within 14 days of the week-ending date (Saturday) of the week you are claiming, or it may not be eligible for payment.
How many weeks are there in unemployment benefit year?
A benefit year is a period of 52 consecutive weeks; it begins with the week in which you file your initial application for benefits. Because a benefit year must be created for each claimant, the term is commonly used as shorthand for a person's unemployment "account.".
What is covered employment?
Covered employment is work performed for employers who are required by law to pay unemployment taxes to the state or are required to reimburse the state for any unemployment benefits paid to former employees. Covered employment from other states may be used under certain conditions.
Can you backdate your unemployment claim?
You will be provided with a written decision that can be appealed if you disagree with the facts. Your claim cannot be backdated for any reason and valuable weeks of benefits could be lost if you delay filing a claim.