Massachusetts workers who are temporarily unemployed due to no fault of their own can receive benefits from unemployment insurance (UI). Workers who have lost their jobs and are now able to work and available to find work can get unemployment insurance.
1.) A weekly check is one of the individual benefits that an individual receives from unemployment insurance. The weekly benefit is approximately fifty percent of an individual’s average weekly income, subject to state law. As of right now, the maximum state benefit rate is $600 per week.
2.) Assistance with your health insurance. The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance provides assistance with health insurance through the Medical Security Program. This program is available to Massachusetts residents who are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Massachusetts is the only country that offers a health plan for uninsured claimants. These are the requirements to be eligible for Medical Security.
- They must be receiving unemployment benefits from MA.
- The earnings of a MA employer must be considered as part of the unemployment benefits.
- The applicant must be a MA resident.
- An individual must also meet income eligibility guidelines. The total income of the family for six months preceding the date the individual applies for the Medical Security Program coverage and the projected income for six consecutive months must be lower than the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines chart.
Be aware that the income of dependent children is not included in the family’s total income.
3.) 3.) The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance offers individuals the opportunity to receive training to help them re-enter the workforce. The Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance law, section 30, allows the DUA waive the requirement that claimants must be actively looking for work. While in approved training, claimants can still receive their UI benefits. In certain cases, the individual could be eligible for an additional 18-weeks of UI benefits while in full-time training. To be eligible for an 18-week extension, the applicant must apply to DUA before the 15th week of UI benefits. Individuals are reminded that they must choose the right training program for them. This will ensure that they can find work in their new job. It is important that the applicant completes the application by the due date. This applies to all unemployment insurance benefits.
4.) 4.) The DUA offers a Re-Employment Services Program. This program is available to individuals who receive unemployment benefits but are not likely to return to their previous job or occupation. This program is designed to identify those who will likely face long-term employment. The DUA will assess whether the applicant meets the criteria based on the information provided by the former employer and individual. The DUA may send a letter to the individual requesting that they attend a Re-Employment Options Seminar. This will provide information about the available services and help the individual if the individual is laid off permanently within the next week. Re-Employment Options Seminar’s primary purpose is to assist the individual in determining their re-employment plans. To help them find job search services, the individual will complete a career map inventory. The individual will complete an activity worksheet listing a range of activities that can be used to meet their career map inventory needs. Individuals will have the opportunity to work with a coach to create their “core program,” their career map activity plans. Based on their career map inventory, this will include the essential activities they must complete. It can also be tailored to meet their needs. They will need to keep track by filling out the work search log and re-employment activity log. A status interview will be conducted if the individual remains unemployed six weeks after attending the Re-Employment Seminar. This session will review the individual’s work search and reemployment log to ensure that they are on track. The individual will also be informed about any other services or activities that may be of interest to them. They can access a database of job listings and local and national job opportunities.
5.) 5.) Individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits may be eligible for food stamps. To be eligible for food stamps, the individual does not have to be on cash welfare. The amount of benefits an individual receives depends on their age and the number of people living in the household. When deciding whether a household is eligible for food stamps, the Food Stamp Program considers both their income and their expenses.
6.) A person may also be eligible for housing assistance through the Massachusetts Housing Programs. Housing assistance can also be provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development. This department offers housing and funding for communities that serve low- to moderate incomes. To determine if an individual is eligible, they must visit the website to review the eligibility requirements. If they do not meet these requirements, they may be eligible for housing assistance.
7.) Individuals may be eligible for energy assistance. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development’s Neighborhood Services Division provides links to other agencies, such as heating bill assistance, heating system aid, weatherization assistance, and other programs like Citizens Energy, The United Way, and Salvation Army. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will offer fuel assistance for low-income families with incomes of up to $21,000 per year. Income levels may affect the benefits available.
8.) 8.) The DUA provides links to their website that can help individuals manage their finances. The IRS understands that losing a job can lead to new tax situations. This is why the IRS provides the following information. For individuals with questions about tax information following the loss of employment, the IRS offers information on its website.
9.) 9.) The DUA provides links to financial counseling to assist individuals in managing their finances while receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Credit counseling is available for individuals who have difficulty paying their bills. According to the DUA, it is important that an individual selects a non-profit credit counselling agency. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England provides information such as tips on choosing a credit counseling agency and financial counseling. It also offers information about housing information, education finance counseling, general financial information, and financial advice.
10.) 10.) The DUA provides Work Sharing Benefits. Regular unemployment insurance benefits provide the basis for work sharing benefits. The steps involved in determining the individual’s work sharing benefits include several. Your unemployment insurance benefit rate will be determined by the DUA. This is the amount of benefits that they would receive if fully employed. The DUA will need to know the earnings of the individual during the 15 months preceding the claim. To determine the average weekly wage, the earnings from each quarter will be added and divided by 26 (the number weeks in each quarter). Their average weekly wage is equal to one-half of their UI benefit rate. The maximum benefit rate, which is $600 per week, cannot be exceeded by the benefit rate. To determine the Work Sharing benefit, the individuals UI benefit rate will be used. The percentage of work hours that have been reduced by the individual is used to calculate the work sharing benefit. If working hours are cut by 20%, the work sharing benefit equals 20 percent of the individual’s unemployment insurance benefit rate.
