How to get your

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How to get your Unemployment Insurance benefits
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Unemployment Insurance provides temporary
financial assistance to qualified workers who
become unemployed through no fault of their own.
Benefits are not based on need. ? Benefits are
paid for by contributions from employers. ?
Aloha Airlines bankruptcy proceedings will not
affect payment of unemployment benefits.
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How do I apply for unemployment insurance
benefits?
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• When you become unemployed or have a reduction in
  your work schedule, you can call HAWAII
  TELE-CLAIM at the phone numbers below to file
  your unemployment claim. TTY relay service is
  available.
• 643-5555 (from anywhere in Hawaii)
• 1-877-215-5793 (from outside the State of Hawaii,
  toll- free)
• Hours of operation
• 630 am to 12 midnight (Sunday to Thursday)
• 630 am to 430 pm (Friday)

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• Be prepared to provide your
• Social security number
• All employment information such as
• Employers name and address
• Dates of employment
• Reason for separation for the past 18 months
  (incl. part-time work)
• If you relocate to another state, you can still
  file your application by calling 1-877-215-5793.
  

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How much will I be paid in benefits?
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To calculate your weekly benefit amount, take
the quarter in your base period with the highest
wages and divide by 21. ? For 2008, the maximum
weekly benefit is 523. (To receive the maximum,
your highest quarter earnings needs to be at
least 10,983.) ? You can receive a maximum
of 26 weeks of benefits during your benefit year.
(If your weekly amount is 523, the most you can
receive is 13,598.)
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• Unemployment insurance benefits paid to you is
  taxable income.
• You can elect to have federal or state income
  taxes withheld.
• Form 1099G is mailed to you for your records and
  the amount paid is reported to the IRS and State
  Tax Office.

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How often will I get my unemployment check?
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The normal filing period will be weekly for the
first 2 weeks and bi-weekly (every two weeks) for
the following weeks. The first week of
unemployment benefits claimed is a waiting period
week and no benefits are paid. Your first
unemployment check for the second week of
unemployment is normally paid in 3 weeks.
Thereafter, you will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
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(No Transcript)
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• How do I file my weekly claims for benefits?

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• Call Hawaii Tele-Claim at 643-2222 (or
  1-877-215-5791 if on the mainland) to file your
  weekly and/or bi-weekly claim certifications.
• The first time you call, the system will ask you
  to change your temporary personal identification
  number (PIN) to a permanent PIN. Keep your PIN
  safe and secure.
• Cell phones with out-of-state phone number
  sometimes do not connect. Use a landline if this
  occurs.

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What must I do to meet the registration for work
and work search requirements?
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• You must register for work within 7 calendar
  days after filing your unemployment claim by
  posting your resume online at HireNet Hawaii, the
  internet based job matching system used by the
  state Workforce Development Division.
• HireNet Hawaii website
• www.hirenethawaii.com
• If you do not have internet access or need
  assistance, report to your nearest One-Stop
  Center for assistance.

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All individuals claiming benefits must actively
seek work and are required to make at least 3 job
contacts every week. You are required to keep a
record of your job contacts on Form UC-253
"Record of Contacts Made for Work". Job contacts
can be made in-person, by phone or through the
internet. Periodically, your local claims office
will request a copy of your job contacts or
schedule you for an in-person interview to check
on your job search activities. If you are a
member of a referring union, you must follow your
union procedures to obtain new work. The 3 job
contact requirement is waived.
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What if I have a part-time job? Can I still
collect?
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You may be able to collect while part-time
employed. You can earn up to 150 without any
reduction in your weekly benefit amount. Any
earnings above 150 will be deducted from your
weekly benefit amount and you will be paid the
balance. If your earnings are equal to or
exceed your weekly benefit amount, no benefits
will be paid to you.
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What if I attend school? What if I go on
vacation? Can I still collect?
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You must be able and available for work to
collect unemployment benefits. If you attend
school and cannot accept work or restrict your
availability for work because of your schooling,
benefits will be denied. Similarly, if you go on
vacation and are not available for work, benefits
will be denied. When you are once again
available for work, benefits can resume.
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What if I am having surgery? What if I am
pregnant? Can I still collect?
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The medical waiver provision in our law may be
applicable if you are already collecting
unemployment prior to the start of your
disability and you have a physician's certificate
in regards to your disability. If you are
pregnant and can still accept work, you are
considered able and available for work.
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• For more information, please visit us at
• http//hawaii.gov/labor/ui
• If you have any questions, call your local
  unemployment office
• Honolulu 586-8970 or 586-8971
• Kaneohe 233-3677
• Waipahu 675-0030
• Hilo 974-4086
• Kona 322-4822
• Maui 984-8400
• Molokai 553-1750
• Kauai 274-3043
• Liable Interstate Unit 1(808) 586-8960