© Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001

Chapter Ten

Legally Required Benefits

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Table 10-1

Eligibility Criteria for Unemployment Insurance Benefits

To be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, an individual must:» 1. Not have left a job voluntarily» 2. Be able and available to work» 3. Be actively seeking work» 4. Not have refused an offer of suitable employment» 5. Not be unemployed because of a labor dispute (exception

in a few states)» 6. Not have had employment terminated because of gross

violations of conduct within the workplace

© Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001

Table 10-2

Unemployment Benefit Amounts for Selected States

STATE

Alabama

California

Florida

WEEKLY BEN.AMOUNT

(WBA)

MINIMUM BASEPERIOD AND

QUALIFYING WAGESWAITINGPERIOD

MAXIMUM TOTALBENEFIT INCLUDING

EXTENDED BENEFITS

$22 min., $180 max. eff. 7/3/94

$40 min., $230 max.

$10 min., $250 max.

Lesser of 26 times WBA or 1/3 base period wages

26 times WBA, up to 1/2 base period wages

1/2 of weeks worked in base period

1 1/2 items high quarter wages; at least $774.02

$1,300 in high quarter, or $900 in high quarter and total base period wages of 1 1/4 times high quarter wages

20 times claimant’s average weekly wages (at least $20)

None

One week

One week

© Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001

Table 10-4

Primary Obligations of State Workers’ Compensation Programs

1. Take initiative in administering the law. 2. Continually review performance of the program and be willing

to change procedures and to request the state legislature to make needed amendments.

3. Advise workers of their rights and obligations and assure that they receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

4. Apprise employers and insurance carriers of their rights and obligations; inform other parties in the delivery system such as health care providers of their obligations and privileges.

5. Assist in voluntary and informal resolution of disputes that are consistent with law.

6. Adjudicate claims that cannot be resolved voluntarily.

Source: J.V. Nackley, Primer on workers’ compensation (Washington, DC: The Bureau of National Affairs, 1989).