Eligibility

It must be determined that you are unemployed through no fault of your own, as outlined in the booklet "Louisiana Employment Security Law." You must also:

• Be able to work – You are capable of working every day during the week in which you file for unemployment benefits. You cannot collect benefits if you are sick, injured or disabled.
   
• Be available to work – You are ready to start a job immediately and do not have any obstacles to accepting work, such as transportation or childcare issues.
   
• Be actively seeking work – You are searching for work and following the guidelines provided by the state.

In order to stay eligible for benefits, you must continue to meet the necessary requirements from your initial claim. In addition, you must register for work at your local career center, and you must not refuse any offer of suitable work.

Anyone receiving unemployment benefits must now contact THREE different employers and ask about job opportunities each week.

You may be disqualified from receiving benefits (completely or for a set period of time) if any of the following conditions are true:

• You voluntarily quit your job without good cause (as defined by your state), or if you voluntarily chose to retire.
• You were fired from your job for misconduct.
• Your unemployment is due to a labor dispute.
• You refuse to find suitable work.

You may be disqualified from receiving benefits for other reasons. Disqualifications can be appealed. Appeal rights are listed on every non-monetary determination. For more information, refer to the Benefit Rights Handbook.