HiRE - Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment Benefits Weekly benefit amounts are based upon your previous earnings. States individually set the maximum weekly benefit amount, as well as the maximum length of time you are eligible to receive benefits. In Louisiana, the maximum number of weeks that you can receive unemployment benefits is 26 weeks per 12-month period. The maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount in Louisiana is $247 a week.

The following unemployment assistance programs are available to assist if you have been unemployed due to COVID-19:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Individuals who do not qualify for state-funded unemployment benefits may qualify for PUA, which is available until week ending December 26, 2020, and provides a weekly benefit amount between $107 and $247.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): Individuals who have exhausted benefits on their unemployment claim and are still unemployed due to COVID-19 may qualify for PEUC, which is available until week ending December 26, 2020, and provides a weekly benefit amount between $10 and $247.
Extended Benefits (EB): EB is available to individuals who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation (UC) during periods of high unemployment and provides a weekly benefit amount between $10 and $247 to eligible individuals. EB eligibility will follow PEUC benefits, which is active at this time.

You must remain eligible/qualified for benefits during every week in which you file a claim to be paid unemployment benefits. You may work part-time while receiving unemployment benefits, but a portion of those earnings may be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

Unemployment benefits are subject to federal income taxes and must be reported on your income tax return. If you choose, you can have federal income taxes withheld from your unemployment benefit check.

LWC has an online tool to assist the unemployed in gathering information on the total possible number of weeks they may collect UI benefits, based on their initial claim filing date. Click here to use the benefits duration estimator.

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