Massachusetts defines an employer as having paid at least $1,500 in wages during any quarter of the base period or having had an employee/employees for at least 13 weeks out of the base period.
Massachusetts requires you to have earned at least 30 times the WBA within the entire base period. You also must have earned a minimum of $3,500 within the total base period.
MA computes the WBA by taking 50% of the Annual Weekly Wages (AWW) of the state. You are able to add $25 to this for each dependent you claim for up to ½ of your WBA.
Massachusetts offers both an extended base period and an alternate base period. The alternate base period considers the last three completed calendar quarters of the base period (instead of the first four) as well as any weeks you spent working during the quarter in which you filed for unemployment insurance (a typical base period excludes the quarter in which you file for unemployment) if you are otherwise ineligible for unemployment using the regular base period. You may also choose to use the alternate base period over the regular base period if it results in an at least 10% increase of your WBA. The extended base period is available to those who qualify. To qualify, you must have received worker’s compensation [due to being disabled] for at least seven weeks. If you meet this requirement, your base period may be extended up to 52 more weeks.
I worked all of January 2017 to February 2018 at a Clinic doing security work at a rate of $14.53 per hour full time. In March I left and went to work on a golf course working 45 hours per week at $13.00 (plus overtime) I will be laid of in November2018, Will I be eligible for Unemployment. I will be called back to work in March 2019
I worked for a factory in MA from April 24, 2018 – June 4, 2018. I was let go for calling in sick 3 times during that period. 12 hour shifts. @ $12 an hour. Two 60 hour weeks and two 36 hour weeks in the month. Can I collect?
How soon can I collect MA Unemployment benifits if I only worked in the state for one week? I have worked in other states over the past 4 years and made the nessesary amount of money. Example-I worked in CA, NV, SC, and NC consistantly for the last 4 years. I just worked in MA from May 1-8th and made the correct amout of money. Can I collect unemployment right away? I have not collected unemployment from anywhere else.
I was only employed at the high level position before the epmolyer replaced me with some for 40% of my salary 🙁
How long do I have to apply (I didn’t apply for over six months because I feared retaliation by the employer in search for my next job) for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts?
Apply immediately before any additional wages age out of your base period. Further, MA can take up to ten weeks to approve a claim, so you will be without money until the process is complete.
If you apply now, MA will examine all wages from all employers during the period April 1, 2016-March 31, 2017. You need total wages in that period totaling 30x weekly benefit amount. Weekly benefit amount is determined by totaling wages in two highest quarters in the above base period, dividing by 2, and dividing again by 26. Which means if your total wages in two quarters totals $24,000, $24,000/2=$12,000, $12,000/26=$461 weekly benefit amount. Therefore, under the above scenario, you need to have earned at least $13,830 ($461×30) to qualify for benefits.
Apply immediately.
I have court ordered visitation..can I be terminated for not working on the court orders days and if so can I receive unemployment ?
Yes your employer can terminate you – for any reason or none at all. And, no, you can’t collect unemployment if you have been warned and continue to be a no show.
I worked for a little over a year with one job left on good terms for a better opportunity i only worked 3 months then i got fired cause i missed too many days. I had an accident and got a really bad concussion and was given days off that was not accepted by my employer. Can i still receive benefits even tho i was fired?
You were fired for medical absences. Medical absences are not disqualifying. MA will need medical evidence to support the absences in order to approve the claim. .
I started working on September 1st 2016 and got laid off July 1st 2017. During this period I got paid $800 a week. I did not have a whole lot of work experience before this job, I worked for just a couple of months in 2015. Will I be eligible for unemployment from my most recent employer?
You have at least nine months wages through 6/30/2017 – which should qualify you. Know that MA can take up to ten weeks to approve a claim. By all means, apply.
So I live in MA, I started work at an agency on 1/12/17, I was let go on 7/3/17. I’ve made $11300 in that time. I get paid biweekly about $800 or $400 weekly. Previous to 1/12/17 I was a sub contractor for a company from 2/15/16 to 12/15/16 I made $16,000 during that time. Am I eligible for unemployment in MA and how do I deal with the base rate for the previous year when I was a sub contractor part of that year?
Yes, you qualify. MA will determine benefits based on all W-2 wages appearing in its system earned between Apr. 2016-Mar. 2017 or July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017. Subcontractor wages if paid on 1099 will not be used. You don’t have to “handle” anything. Just report your employers. MA will not take your word for your earnings – what matters is what has been reported to MA in the form of W-2 wages. You may need to provide paystubs for earnings Apr-June 2017.
I have worked in MA for 6 months and have been let go. During that period I earned $770 per week.
Prior to that I worked in CT for 3.5 years and earned $700per week. I have lived in MA during both positions.
How do I figure my unemployment benefit. Does MA pay it or does CT pay it?
You have the opportunity for two claims. Apply in CT. When those benefits are exhausted, should you still be unemployed, then file in MA. MA takes forever to approve claims, so if you don’t want to be waiting two months or longer for benefits, the opportunity for a CT claim right now is a good one.
Thank you for the response Daphne. Question though, I wasn’t let go fro mthe CT job, I resigned for another one. Can I still collect unemployment from there, would the employer approve it?
Employer doesn’t have to approve. You’ve worked long enough at the MA job to purge the 10-wk work penalty for the CT quit. Apply in CT – it’s much easier.
I am currently (since 9/2016) the paid supervisor and employee (along with 4 other part-time people) for my elderly mother’s care. I am also her POA. We have paid all withheld taxes, medicare, SS and UI. My mother is moving to an assisted living facility. We will all be unemployed. Even though I am her relative, will I be able to collect unemployment benefits? My earnings meet the requirements.
If UI tax has been paid, you should be eligible. Absolutely, apply for benefits.
I justbstarted working at a job that went out of business after working there for 3 weeks. They laid everyone off and gabe information for unemployment. Do i qualify? Some people have said you have to be with the company for a certain amount of time.
Earnings history going back to 15 months is what matters, not length of time on the job. If you have other employment history in MA, you may qualify. Apply for benefits and let MA determine your eligibility.
I’m about to work at least 60 hours a week for 3 weeks making $40 an hour and was just curious if that might qualify
MA requires earnings of at least $3,900 in the base period. You will earn at least $7,200, so by all means apply.
I worked from August to December 2016. I work construction. Union laborer. I made over 11 thousand but when I tried to open a claim the recording said need more info. I did receive one check and been out of work since December 5 2016. I have enough to collect. Why is there a problem.
Many possible reasons for the suspension of benefits. You need to reach MA somehow. Visit an office if there is one near you if you are unsuccessful by phone. Otherwise – do not hesitate to email your state representative. Find yours, here:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
He will respond immediately and get someone at MA to contact you. Definitely email him before too much time goes by. If you don’t, the black hole of no ability to contact MA/no communication from MA will go on for months – with no benefits paid.