Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

What does the unemployment insurance benefits system look like in Wisconsin? The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development outlines the unemployment benefits Wisconsin has in place. You can find access to all kinds of resources available to the unemployed. You can learn about work-share programs, labor law training, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (UIAC), and other legal resources.

Wisconsin has several programs to help the unemployed, including a job center, re-employment services, and a trade adjustment assistance program. There are also several resources which the disabled and unemployed may access. These resources help one find unemployment insurance and work.

While it’s always a good idea to apply for your state’s unemployment insurance, you should also apply for Social Security disability if you are disabled, especially as a result of military service.

Wisconsin Unemployment Services

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for Wisconsin unemployment insurance, you do have to meet a few eligibility requirements.

First, you need to have earned a certain amount of wages in the 12 to 18 months before filing your initial claim. If you meet the wage conditions for unemployment insurance:

• You have been paid covered employment wages for 2 or more quarters of your base period
• You have at least a $54 weekly employment benefit
• Your wages of the 3 lowest earning calendar quarters from your base period are at least 4 times the amount of your weekly benefit amount,
• Your total base period wages are 35 times your weekly benefit amount

If you meet the wage criteria, the next thing to look at is your reason for leaving your last job. If you were fired unfairly, quit for a good reason, or let go because your employer either could not afford to pay you or did not have enough work for you to do, you could qualify for UI benefits. However, if you quit for no good reason, were fired due to misconduct, or have been refusing work, you will not qualify.

Lastly, you must be actively searching for work and willing to take available jobs that come up. If you are not searching for work, or are not ready or able to take available jobs, you may not receive unemployment benefits.

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits

The easiest way to apply for unemployment benefits is to submit an online application. When applying, you’ll need to have some basic personal information and some forms filled out:

• Email and/or phone number
• Current address
• Social Security number
• Wisconsin driver’s license or identification number
• Work history for the past 18 months (including dates at each job, reason for leaving, and employer contact info)
• (if not a US citizen): alien registration number, document number, and expiration date
• (if served in the military within the past 18 months): form DD-214
• (if a federal civilian employee): form SF-50 or SF-8
• (if a member of a union): name and local number of the union hall
• (if you want direct deposit for UI benefit payments): bank routing number and your account number

Calculating Unemployment Benefits

So how are unemployment benefits calculated? The process for determining benefits in Wisconsin depends on the claimant’s wages. Social security looks at wages paid during your base period when determining eligibility and amount. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 calendar quarters (not including the one you’re in when you file the claim). They will determine a potential weekly benefit amount by calculating the total covered wages from the high quarter (the quarter from the base period with the highest wages). The weekly benefit is 4% of the covered wages from the high quarter. The minimum weekly benefit payment is $54 (high quarter income of $1,350), and the maximum is $370 (high quarter income of $9,250).

If you meet the last 2 requirements, your weekly payment has a good chance of going through.

Maintaining Eligibility and Reporting Requirements

In order to maintain your unemployment insurance benefits, there are 4 things you need to be doing.

• Register with the Wisconsin Job Center
• Do 4 or more valid work search actions every week
• File a weekly claim certification every week
• Report your earnings every week

Appeals and Disqualifications

How do I appeal a decision if I do not get unemployment insurance or do not get the benefit amount I feel I deserve?

You can file an appeal online or mail it to the UI office. In your appeal, include the following:

• A copy of the determination or its 9-digit number (top left corner of the page)
• Claimant’s name and Social Security number
• Name and address of the business
• Any dates/times that you, witnesses, and/or representatives would not be able to attend a hearing
• Any other accommodations you would require at a hearing

What automatically disqualifies you from getting unemployment insurance in Wisconsin?

Some actions that would immediately disqualify you from receiving UI benefits include:

• Being fired for misconduct or refusing work without a good reason
• Not completing the required job search actions
• Not able to work if a job is offered
• Outside the US, US territory, or Canada for more than 48 hours
• Unemployed due to a strike or labor dispute
• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• You cannot receive SSDI and UI benefits at the same time, however, you can receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits and UI benefits.

How Can Trajector Help?

Trajector is an organization dedicated to helping Veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Disability and unemployment benefits are available to veterans to help them with the problems that can arise due to their military service.

Wisconsin Unemployment Office Locations