Unemployment Compensation
Unemployment Compensation (UC) is a program that provides income to an employee who loses his/her job when it is not the employee’s fault. The amount of weekly benefits depends upon the employee’s weekly pay before the employee loses his/her job.
There are 3 basic steps in determining eligibility:
- Whether the employee earned sufficient wages from an employer covered by the UC Law. Typically, this requirement is satisfied if an employee worked for a sufficient period of time.
- Whether the employee is out of work without fault. Typically, this requirement is satisfied as long as the employee does not engage in willful misconduct. An employee who voluntarily leaves may be eligible for UC, if there was a necessitous and compelling reason for leaving work, that was real and substantial and leaving no alternative.
- To maintain eligibility on a weekly basis, an employee must be able and available to accept suitable work and not refuse work when offered without good cause.
Once an employee files an application for benefits the employer provides a response and an Initial Determination, a hearing will be held about your UC eligibility is issued. If your employers appeals the Initial Determination, a hearing will be held before a UC Appeals Referee.
Going before an Unemployment Compensation Referee without an attorney could be a very costly mistake. It is crucial to seek experienced counsel as soon as you receive a Notice of Adverse Determination. Don’t take the risk of being unprepared and alone at your Unemployment Compensation Hearing. Don’t hesitate to E-mail us or call us today at 570-421-1066 or 610-954-9801 for a free consultation.