| Dislocated Worker Questions & Answers
I have been laid off. Am I a dislocated worker? A dislocated worker is defined as a worker who:
How do I file for unemployment insurance benefits? If you choose to file your claim by phone, an automated voice will offer you the choice of filing in English, Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Creole, or "all other languages", wherein translation services will be provided. Callers who are hearing- or speech-challenged or have difficulty using the telephone for any reason may also request that a friend or relative assist in the telephone claims process. Hearing impaired individuals, who have Telephone Device for the Deaf (TTY/TDD) equipment, may file a claim by calling a relay operator at 1-800-662-1220 and requesting the operator to call 1-888-783-1370. Service at this number will only be provided to callers using TDD equipment. File your claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment - to delay may cost you benefits. What information do I need to have to file my claim?
If you do not have all of the documents listed above, you may still file a claim. There may be some delay, however, in receiving your first payment. Canadian residents must file for unemployment insurance benefits by calling the Should I wait a week before filing my claim? No. File your claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment, which is any week in which you work less than four days and earn less than $405 gross. To delay may cost you benefits. It is important to file timely because your first week is an unpaid week referred to as the ‘waiting period’. Where do I go to receive services and get information? Services in What can I expect to find at a One-Stop Centers have Resource Rooms that are equipped with computers and reference materials to aid in career decision-making and job seeking. Computers are available to conduct Internet searches, type and print resumes and cover letters, and access Federal and State job bank listings. Reference materials may include the daily newspaper, books on resume writing and interviewing techniques, business periodicals, college catalogues, phone books and literature about services available in the local community. Knowledgeable staff are available to assist in using the Resource Room, doing an advanced job search, developing an employment plan (including the development of a resume), and identifying funding for training, if needed. What other services are available to a dislocated worker at the If you are unable to obtain employment through the core services available in the Resource Room, the following services would also be available:
What if I still can't find work or my skills are too specialized? For those who can't find work through the above listed services, funds may be available for training in a demand occupation. Training services may include:
How do I find out about COBRA coverage and how do I elect to take it? Employers or health plan administrators must provide an initial general notice if you are entitled to COBRA benefits. You probably received the initial notice about COBRA coverage when you were hired. When you are no longer eligible for health coverage, your employer has to provide you with a specific notice regarding your rights to COBRA continuation benefits. Here is the sequence of events:
Spouses and dependent children covered under your health plan have an independent right to elect COBRA coverage upon your termination or reduction in hours. If, for instance, you have a family member with an illness at the time you are laid off, that person alone can elect coverage. If I elect COBRA, how much do I pay? When you were an active employee, your employer may have paid all or part of your group health premiums. Under COBRA, as a former employee no longer receiving benefits, you will usually pay the entire premium amount—that is, the premium that you paid as an active employee plus the amount of the contribution made by your employer. In addition, there may be a 2 percent administrative fee. While COBRA rates may seem high, you will be paying group premium rates, which are usually lower than individual rates. Since it is likely that there will be a lapse of a month or more between the date of layoff and the time you make the COBRA election decision, you may have to pay health premiums retroactively—from the time of separation from the company. The first premium, for instance, will cover the entire time since your last day of employment with your former employer. You should also be aware that it is your responsibility to pay for COBRA coverage even if you do not receive a monthly statement. Although they are not required to do so, some employers may subsidize COBRA coverage. When does COBRA coverage begin? Once you elect coverage and pay for it, COBRA coverage begins on the date that health care coverage ceased. It is, essentially, retroactive. In addition, the health care coverage you receive is the same as it is for active employees. How long does COBRA coverage last? Generally, individuals who qualify initially are covered for a maximum of 18 months, but coverage may end earlier under certain circumstances. Those circumstances include:
Employers may offer longer periods of COBRA coverage but are only required to do so under special circumstances, such as disability (yours or a family member's), your death or divorce, or when your child ceases to meet the definition of a dependent child under the health plan. Who can answer other COBRA questions? COBRA administration is shared by three federal agencies. The Department of Labor (DOL) handles questions about notification rights under COBRA for private-sector employees. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) handles questions relating to state and local government workers. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury, has other COBRA jurisdiction. More details about COBRA coverage are included in the booklet Health Benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Information on how to obtain a copy and telephone numbers for the DOL office nearest you are located at the back of this booklet. You may obtain telephone numbers for the nearest HHS and IRS offices by calling the Where can I get more information on these issues? The following web sites have such information: For various sources of information on victims benefits and assistance:http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Usgresponse/Victims_Benefits.shtml
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