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Frequently Asked Questions About Tier III Unemployment Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions about TIER III Extended Benefit Payments.

When can I expect to receive my first payment of this TIER III extension passed November 2009?

The Division is anticipating making the first Tier III Emergency Unemployment payments prior to December 25, 2009.

What do I need to do to file for the newest TIER III extended benefits?

Claimants filing a regular Unemployment Insurance claim, a State Extended Benefit claim, or an Emergency Unemployment type claim, who are still receiving benefit payments weekly, should continue to file weekly claims as long as they remain unemployed. Funds for the newest TIER III extension will automatically be added to the existing claim.

Claimants, who have exhausted their Emergency Unemployment Claim or State Extended Benefit claim, will receive an instructional letter with blue claim forms in the mail. These forms must be completed and mailed to the agency after the second Saturday week ending date on the card.

DO NOT FAX THE CLAIM CARD.

I received a letter in the mail, with a blue card, when do I mail this card back in?

Claim cards were sent during the first week the program was established. If you received one of the blank blue claim forms:

• Fill in the week ending dates on the card with 11/14/09 and 11/21/09, if you did not receive benefits for those weeks and did not work.

• Answer all questions on the card

• Sign the card

• Ensure your name and Social Security Number is on the card.

• Mail the card as instructed on 11/22/09.

• You will receive additional claim forms to mail in every two weeks.

I already mailed my blue card back in; will my claim for the extension be processed?

The agency will process cards starting with cards for the weeks ending 11/14 and 11/21. Claim cards must not be mailed prior to the Sunday of the second week ending date. If cards are filed early, it may result in a delay in payment, as your availability may have to be verified because you sent your card in before the second week had completed.

Your additional EUC benefits will automatically be processed and your claim reopened if necessary. Once the programming has been completed, you will receive payment for all weeks for which you submitted weekly claim forms. Currently claims examiners cannot verify that the cards have been received, as they are not entered into the computer system yet

How will I know when DETR is ready to start paying the TIER III extended benefits?

The media will be notified. Claimants will receive a Monetary Determination in the mail, giving the weekly benefit amount and the amount of funds added. In addition, claimants may contact DETR’s Telephone Claim Center and select, Option 6 or visit www.expressclaim.org for updated information. Claimants will also receive a deposit to their debit card or a check in the mail.

Should I call the unemployment line to find out when I will receive my extended benefits?

The unemployment information line will not have claim specific information, nor will the unemployment representatives. General information is available when you contact the telephone claim center and select Option 6 or visit the unemployment Claim Filing site at www. EXPRESSCLAIM.ORG. If you call the claim center, please do not hold for a claims examiner. Select Option 6 and listen to the message that will have all the latest information available.

Why are these newest benefits not immediately available?

The Division's computer system is being updated in order to pay benefits as soon as possible.

The first payable week according to the new law is the week ending 11/14/09.

I stopped filing my weekly claim because my benefits ran out, when do I start back filing my weekly claim?

You will receive an instructional letter in the mail and a two]week blue claim form with dates.

There will be instructions on when you will be able to mail in the blue claim forms.

I have exhausted all the extensions available, but I did not receive a letter in the mail, how do I know if I qualify for the extension?

If you have not received a letter or blue claim form in the mail, go to www.expressclaim.org and verify your mailing address, if your address has changed:

• Update your address,

• Download a TIER III claim card

• Enter week ending dates 11/14/09 and 11/21/09

• Answer all questions on the card

• Sign the card

• Ensure your name and Social Security Number is on the card, and

• Mail the card as instructed

You will receive a monetary determination in the mail, and all new information and instructions will be mailed to you at the correct address

How much will my extended benefit payment be?

Your Emergency Unemployment Claim additional weekly benefit amount will be the same amount that you had been receiving on your prior Emergency Unemployment Claim. If you had more than one Emergency Unemployment Claim, the additional benefits will be automatically added to your first Emergency Unemployment claim. Once the Tier III funds are exhausted on the first EUC Claim, the additional funds will automatically be added to your second Emergency Unemployment Claim. When the funds are added, you will receive a Monetary Determination in the mail, providing your weekly benefit amount and the maximum benefit amount you will receive under the new Tier.

Will I qualify for the full 20 weeks of unemployment benefits?

Eligibility is based on the formula of up to 20 weeks or 78% of the original Unemployment claim, whichever is less.

I received a letter to file for State Extended Benefits (SEB), will this new extension take the place of SEB or do I still file for SEB first?

You will file your SEB claim and remain on SEB claim until exhausted. At that point, if you are still unemployed and do not qualify for a new regular Unemployment Insurance claim, then you may be entitled to reopen your existing Emergency Unemployment claim and receive the additional benefits.

I am currently receiving an emergency extension; will I qualify for this latest extension?

Yes, as long as you remain unemployed and meet all other eligibility requirements.

I heard that the state is running out of money; will the state run out of extension money?

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation claims are funded 100% by the federal government.