Unemployment Pay in MA...?

Question

Hi...Three questions:

I lost my job on July 1st. I applied for unemployment immediately. I have been qualified for an amount, BUT my claim is still being processed. What does that mean?

I have accepted an offer for a new position. I start on Monday the 28th. I have not recieved any unemployment benefits yet...I called but they said "my claim is being processed."

Will they send me pay dating back to my file date?

If so...in a lump sum or no?

Answer 1

First of all, congratulations on finding a new ob so fast.

Sounds like you should have 2 weeks coming - the should be send out at the same time, possibly in one check, maybe two.

Answer 2

In Massachusetts, the first week is a waiting period. The state gives your employers a certain amount of time to send in the documentation your wages and why you became unemployed. If you are eligible, you will receive your checks for each week you signed your certification: either on-line, on the telephone or mailed in the card.

It can take a while, but if eligible, you will receive checks back to the week after your waiting period.

Answer 3

The phrase "being processed" means that they have not yet determined if you are eligible.

When they do make a determination, you should receive unemployment benefits (which are not "pay") dating back to the date on which you became eligible OR your file date, whichever is later.

July 1st was a Tuesday; you were only unemployed 3-1/2 weeks.  Some states have a rule that you receive no compensation for the first week.  Some states have a rule that you receive no or little compensation for weeks when you were not unemployed the entire week.  You might not be eligible to collect all the way back to when you filed.  You might be entitled to as little as 2 weeks of benefits.

After they finish processing, you should eventually receive a check for the amount that you were entitled to receive.  Expect it to be approximately $800-1000 or the amount that you normally make in a week, whichever is less.

Also, be aware that unemployment benefits are subject to federal income tax.