As millions of newly unemployed Americans are claiming unemployment benefits, AL.com wanted to answer some common questions about furloughs, layoffs and unemployment benefits.

Unemployment benefits are available for Alabamians who lose their jobs at no fault of their own. A decrease in hours or loss of employment due to coronavirus meets that criteria. The stimulus package passed by Congress in March, expanded access to unemployment benefits to freelancers and gig economy workers who are out of work as a result of the coronavirus and related shutdown. It also expanded benefits for furloughed employees.

“If you are fired for cause, you can’t claim unemployment. People losing their jobs due to COVID-19 is not losing their jobs for cause,” explained Peter Brummund, an economist at the University of Alabama.

At $275 a week, Alabama’s maximum unemployment payment is tied for fourth-lowest in the country with Tennessee and Florida and only above Arizona ($240 a week), Louisiana ($247 a week) and Mississippi ($235 a week.) However, the CARES Act provides for an additional $600/week maximum benefit for Americans unemployed due to coronavirus.

The Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) has said it is currently awaiting guidance from the federal government for how to implement the expanded benefits.

Here’s some answers to common unemployment questions:

What is a furlough?

A furlough is an employer-mandated leave of absence without pay. Furloughs are intended to be short, with employees returning back to work after a short period. The length of furloughs vary. Some employers will furlough workers for a set time period. Others will furlough workers for a number of weeks per month.

“With a furlough, when companies go back into production, they don’t go looking for new employees, they go to the people they furloughed,” said Keivan Deravi, president of Economic Research Services.

However, there’s no legal requirement for companies to rehire furloughed workers, Brummund said.

“The employer will make its best effort when this is over to rehire you but there’s no legal protection surrounding that promise,” Brummund explained.

What is a layoff?

If an employee is laid off, their employment with the company is completely terminated due to no cause of the employee. If the employee is fired for cause, the employee is not laid off or eligible for unemployment.

Can I collect state unemployment if I’m furloughed? What about federal unemployment?

Yes. Furloughed employees can collect unemployment benefits in Alabama, according to a memo from ADOL. Furloughed employees are also eligible for the $600/week federal employment benefit provided by the CARES Act.

The CARES Act provides unemployment payments of up to $600/week for people who are unable to work or are working reduced hours because of coronavirus.

Can I collect unemployment if I’m laid off? What about federal unemployment?

Yes. Laid off employees can collect unemployment benefits in Alabama. They can also collect the federal unemployment benefits provided in the CARES Act.

I’m working fewer hours because of coronavirus. Am I eligible for unemployment?

In some instances, yes. File a claim to find out if you’re eligible.

But $275 per week won’t even pay my mortgage? How am I supposed to get by?

Here is where the CARES Act comes in. The additional up to $600/week is being implemented to give people additional help.

However, unemployment benefits aren’t designed to replace your income, Brummund said.

“It’s not intended to sustain you. It’s meant to be temporary. It’s a hard balance to strike, because you want to meet needs during unemployment,” he said. “But, the state wants to encourage you to still look for a job. If you fully replace that full $500/week in earnings, there’s less incentive to find another job.”

Do I get to keep my benefits if I’m furloughed?

Most employers do continue paying for furloughed employees’ benefits. However, this varies by company. Check with your employer.

Do I get to keep my benefits if I’m laid off?

Some employers offer a few weeks of benefits coverage after termination, but many lose benefits immediately.

For example, American Cast Iron Pipe Co., which will lay off 65 employees beginning April 10, is extending Employee Assistance Program benefits to laid off workers through June 30.

Contact your employer for information about benefits. If you lose your employer-based health insurance, you may be eligible for COBRA health insurance. Get more information about COBRA here.

I’m self-employed. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

Yes. The CARES Act has extended unemployment benefits to people who are small business owners or those who are self-employed.

How will I know if my state unemployment claim is approved?

You will not be notified if your unemployment claim is approved. You will simply begin receiving checks in the mail or direct deposits to your bank account, if the state already has your bank account information on file, according to ADOL. It usually takes up to three weeks to begin receiving benefits.

ADOL will send you a letter in the mail if your claim is rejected.

Can I get unemployment benefits if I’m sick with coronavirus, quarantined because I’m suspected to have coronavirus or caring for someone with coronavirus?

Yes. Certain criteria and exceptions may apply, and are subject to change.

Can I get unemployment benefits if I self-quarantine?

In most cases, no. Unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are totally or partially unemployed due to no fault of their own. If an employee is choosing not to work, their choice is the reason why they are not working.

Brummond encouraged those filing unemployment claims to be patient.

“I’m sure the Department of Labor both locally and nationally are taxed right now. There’s a lot of claims coming their way,” he said.

How many claims? Somewhere to the tune of around 10 million people have filed unemployment nationally, just in the last two weeks, according to the most recent data.

Just last week, 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment, crushing the previous week’s record of 3.3 million claims in a week.

Alan Seals, Associate Professor of Economics at Auburn University, was so shocked by the numbers he had a physical reaction.

“I almost threw up when I saw the numbers. I’ve had visceral actions to these numbers,” he said. “I just couldn’t believe it.”

For more information about unemployment claims in Alabama, got to the Alabama Department of Labor website.

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