Am I Eligible for Benefits?

In general, Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits are paid to those who:

have qualifying wages
are unemployed through no fault of their own
are able and available to work full-time
are actively seeking full-time work

What Earnings Do I Need to Qualify?

You must have earned at least $5100 during your Base Period. Your total Base Period earnings must be at least 1 ½ times the highest quarter of wages during your Base Period.

If you do not qualify using earnings in your Base Period, you may qualify under the same conditions by using an Alternate Base Period.

What Other Eligibility Requirements Are There?

In addition to having sufficient earnings, you must meet additional eligibility requirements to be eligible for UI benefits. Some examples of issues that may affect eligibility for UI benefits include:

Reason for job separation
Ability and availability to work full-time
Actively seeking full-time work
Weekly claim filing
School attendance
Strike or labor disputes
Self-employment
Corporate officer status
Alien status
Refusal of a job offer
Illness or injury
School employee
Professional athlete

Find more details on UI eligibility requirements in the Claimant Guide.