Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law

If you have ever thought about the possibility of being out of work, I feel sure you need to learn about Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance. That’s the program designed to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. In 2003, there were over 227,000 workers who were unemployed in Minnesota, with the majority between age 30 and 50.

The system is currently being redesigned so that unemployment claims are processed more efficiently. After the changes, claims that are filed will be processed more quickly both from inside the state’s Employment and Economic Development Department and on the Internet self-service site. Any policy changes or legislative decisions will be instantly implemented into the system instead of waiting until the end of the quarter, or even the end of the year. I am sure that will be a relief to unemployed people who will be able to use the automated claims service with greater ease.

I am sure that you already know to have basic information at hand when  you’re ready to file a claim. You will need the name and address of your last employer, the dates of your employment over the last 18 months, why your last job ended and your social security number. You’re eligible for benefits if you made enough wages over the past calendar year, and if you lost your employment through no fault of your own.

Benefits are not paid out automatically, so every two weeks you have to request benefits again. During this time, you must be available and able to work, with no illness or injury that prevents you from work. The state also requires that you be actively seeking employment. That means you will be sending out resumes or going on job interviews, visiting workshops, job clubs, and employers. If you’re a union member, you should keep your union membership in good standing.

The Minnesota Complete Labor Law poster is available with all of the current state laws regarding unemployment insurance. It will detail information regarding all state, federal, and OSHA laws.