Do You Get UIC When You Draw Unemployment?

State Unemployment Insurance

State unemployment insurance programs are designed to support those searching for new jobs for up to one year. Most states including California, Massachusetts, New York and Wisconsin give up to 26 weeks of full benefits. Claimants who take partial benefits because of part-time or temporary work can make their state UIC allocations last longer. Weekly payments vary by state with California issuing a maximum of $450 per week and Massachusetts offering a much higher $625 per week.

Because of the economic crisis of 2008, the federal government released funds to extend unemployment benefits to those facing prolonged job searches. Depending on a state's unemployment rate, federal subsidies can extend a claimant's benefits for up to 73 weeks, giving a total of 99 weeks of full benefits. State UIC programs administer federal benefits and automatically inform claimants of their eligibility. States also process extended benefits applications on their claimants' behalf. As of September 2011, Congress is considering legislation to extend federal unemployment extensions for another year.

In normal times and as needed at present, those who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits can apply for state-funded extensions. Unemployment case workers review requests on a case-by-case basis and consider both a claimant's situation and available funds.

UIC claimants must be unemployed through no fault of their own -- usually from layoffs, although those fired without cause or who leave their jobs because of discrimination or harassment are also eligible for benefits. States require beneficiaries to actively search for work and often to keep logs of their job search including contacts and interviews. Some states also require claimants to use state sponsored job boards and job training resources. Additionally, to receive benefits, a claimant must have worked more than a year in a job that made UIC contributions through state payroll taxes. Independent contractors and business owners often don't qualify because they don't typically pay payroll taxes for themselves.