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Eligibility Issues FAQ

Frequently asked questions about eligibility issues related to COVID-19

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You must be able to work and available for full-time work to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. If you are sick with COVID-19 (or any other medical condition) to the extent that you can't work, then you would be ineligible for unemployment benefits due to being unable to work.

To determine your eligibility, DWD will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer, and any other relevant parties. Payments can only be made once DWD issues a decision finding you eligible for benefits. DWD must know all the circumstances about your ability to work before such a decision can be issued.

It depends on your circumstances. Usually, a person who has missed work due to a quarantine will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. However, if you have not been quarantined and you are able to work, you may be eligible for benefits.

To determine your eligibility, DWD will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer, and any other relevant parties. Payments can only be made once DWD issues a decision finding you eligible for benefits. DWD must know all the circumstances about your ability to work before such a decision can be issued.

The answer depends on the circumstances of the separation. The facts of each unemployment insurance claim will determine whether benefits are payable. Any time an unemployment claim includes a separation from employment, DWD must investigate the cause of the separation. If you quit your job, you are not eligible for UI benefits unless an exception applies as outlined in state law.

If an individual is aware of a condition to maintain employment (such as complying with a vaccine requirement) and fails to take action to maintain their employment, they may not be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. All factors related to the employee's separation will be considered in determining eligibility, including whether the person is unable to receive the vaccine for medical reasons or religious beliefs.

Find more information in the UI Claimant Handbook Eligibility Issues.

You must be available for full-time work to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. If you are available to work 32 hours per week, you may be eligible for benefits.

To determine your eligibility, DWD will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer, and any other relevant parties. Payments can only be made once DWD issues a decision finding you eligible for benefits. DWD must know all the circumstances about your availability for work before such a decision can be issued.

The answer depends on the circumstances of the separation. The facts of each unemployment insurance claim will determine whether benefits are payable. If you quit your job, you are not eligible for UI benefits unless an exception applies as outlined in state law.

If your separation from your last employer was for anything other than layoff, DWD will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer, and any other relevant parties. Payments can only be made once DWD issues a decision finding you eligible for benefits. DWD must know all the circumstances about your separation before such a decision can be issued.

Find more information in the UI Claimant Handbook Eligibility Issues.

In most cases, no. You must be able to work and available for full-time work to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

To determine your eligibility, DWD will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer, and any other relevant parties. Payments can only be made once DWD issues a decision finding you eligible for benefits. DWD must know all the circumstances about your ability to work and availability for work before such a decision can be issued.

Frequently asked questions about eligibility issues

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Eligibility issues are assigned on a first come first serve basis. We try to contact you regarding your eligibility issue within 21 days. You may get a telephone call, a letter to complete and return, or a scheduled interview notice.

No, all of our investigations are conducted by telephone or letter.

Each interview is scheduled as early as possible. Remember to keep filing your weekly claims while you're waiting for the interview.

We will call you within 15 minutes before or after the scheduled time. If you haven't heard from us in that time period, call the phone number on the notice.

If your separation from your last employer was for anything other than layoff, we will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer and any other relevant parties before we can determine your eligibility. No payments can be made until we issue a decision, and that decision allows benefits. Until we know all of the circumstances about your separation, we can't tell you whether you'll be eligible.

If your separation from your last employer was for anything other than layoff, we will conduct a fact-finding interview by phone or send a questionnaire to secure information from you, your employer and any other relevant parties before we can determine your eligibility. No payments can be made until we have issued a decision, and that decision allows benefits. Until we know all of the circumstances about your separation, we can't tell you whether you'll be eligible.

You can try out a job for up to 30 calendar days. If you quit within that time we will look at the reason for quitting. If we wouldn't have expected you to take the job because of the wages, conditions, distance, etc., in the first place, you will not be penalized for trying the job out.

No, we do not require you to relocate in order to accept a job or to continue a job when the employer relocates beyond a reasonable commuting distance.

You are required to answer "yes" to being self-employed if you are self-employed or operating your own business.

To be eligible for benefits, you must be able, available, actively looking for work, and willing to accept suitable work. If it is determined your self-employment prevents you from the requirements, you may be disqualified.

Income from self-employment is not considered wages and is not deducted from unemployment benefits.

Call a claims specialist during business hours for more information.

We try to resolve all issues within a week after the scheduled interview, but in certain situations it may take a little longer.

If you plan to appeal the decision, continue to file your weekly claims. If the decision is later reversed and benefits are allowed, those weeks could then be paid.

If you do not intend to appeal, then stop filing your weekly claims. Review the decision and when the requalifying requirements have been met, and you're again unemployed, apply online at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

Go online to https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov for information about your benefit account. For help using online services call (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 during business hours.

Nothing. You do not need to take any action; just stop filing.