You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, and you must have earned sufficient wages in your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the start date of your claim). Also, you must be able and available for full-time work. If you are laid of, lost your job in a reduction-in-force, or were downsized, you will meet this requirement.

If you quit your job you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits.

You can apply online or over the phone at 1-866-234-5382.

Your weekly benefit amount will depend on the wages you earned in your base period. Benefits per week range from a minimum of $45 to a maximum of $275.

Generally, you will qualify for a set number of full benefit weeks ranging from 14-20 weeks. The maximum amount allowable for the benefit year is based on the unemployment rate. If you return to work or if you have deductible income for any week, you may draw reduced payments and increase the total possible length of time that you can draw. The total amount that you can draw for the year is the maximum benefit amount shown on your monetary determination.

You must continue to file weekly. Also, you must continue to be able and available for full-time work. You must actively seek employment, while keeping a record of your work search activities (a form to help you do so can be found here). You must also register for employment with the Alabama Works. Finally, you must accept suitable work.

You must appeal within 15 days of the date the decision was mailed to you, or, if given to you in person, within 7 days from when you received it. Your appeal must be in writing, and may be submitted by fax or by mail. Also, you must keep filing your weekly claims regularly because you will only be paid for weeks you filed if you win your appeal.

• Visit the State of Alabama Website
• Read the Claimant Handbook