To qualify for Georgia's unemployment benefits, you must be out of work through no fault of your own, actively looking for another job and able to accept a job if one is offered, according to Sam Hall, the the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) communications director.
But what does "through no fault of your own" mean?
According to the GDOL's unemployment insurance claimant handbook, this can mean:
- You were laid off due to lack of work
- Are working reduced hours due to lack of work
- Were fired for a reason other than misconduct
- Quit your job for a good work-related reason
But what do those different scenarios look like in the workplace, which would qualify you for unemployment benefits?
According to Brenda Brown, GDOL unemployment insurance and regional operation administrator, this can mean:
- Being fired for a reason other than misconduct can include being fired without warning that your job is in jeopardy. A person will most likely not qualify for benefits if he or she was fired for misconduct or was previously warned and did not improve.
- Being fired for misconduct can include sexual harassment, misuse of company equipment, bullying, stealing or blatantly breaking company policies that were agreed upon when the person was first hired.
- Someone could quit for a good work-related if they do not have proper accommodations, as long a he or she has proper documentations. If they let their employer know in advance that they need special accommodations and these were not provided, they may be eligible for benefits.
- Other good work-related reasons to quit can include being subject to sexual harassment, job harassment, bullying or a hostile work environment. Someone can qualify if they previously let their supervisor or upper management know of these issues and they were ignored or not addressed.
Brown stressed that the above examples do not guarantee eligibility for benefits, and that both the claimant’s and the employer’s side is considered. “It’s not a black and white situation,” she said. “Each case stands on its own.”
Brown said that once the claimant has applied for unemployment benefits, the GDOL sends supplemental information to both the claimant and the employer.
“We try to find who caused the separation,” she said.
The only way to confirm if you qualify is to apply. You also have the right to appeal if you were denied unemployment benefits. Employers can also appeal if they disagree with the decision.
To find out how much money you could qualify for or to file for unemployment insurance visit the GDOL here.
