The Importance of Certifying Your Unemployment Benefits Every Week
Unemployment benefits are denied for a range of reasons, and many of those reasons can be disputed.
Seeking legal help when it comes to denial of an unemployment claim is commonplace. Still, there are a few things that claimants should do to protect themselves throughout legal proceedings to ensure that they receive the benefits that belong to them in the backlog.
Claiming Benefits Through Disqualification
Suppose you’ve been denied unemployment benefits, or the state revoked your benefits after you’ve started claiming them. In that case, you must continue to certify for your benefits every week, regardless of your status, and keep a spotless record that shows your weekly certifications.
When you go to court and win your lawsuit, you’ll receive payment for each week that you’ve claimed, even under an unapproved status. You can certify by logging into your account, using the automated system by phone, or mailing in a printed form.
Accurately and honestly answer all six yes or no questions required to claim your weekly benefits. If you meet the threshold criteria, those benefits are yours upon approval or reapproval.
The Benefit Process Isn’t Always Logical
Many of our clients, and thousands of people just like them, logically assume that since their unemployment was denied, they should not certify for the weeks their case is pending. If you’re fighting for your right to unemployment, and you’ve been forthcoming and honest with all of your information, the chances of winning your case are stellar.
You won’t obtain payment while your case is pending, but remember, you will be back paid for the certified weeks that fall within your case’s timeframe. If you don’t certify, the payments owed to you may be delayed for weeks, if not indefinitely.
Setting aside time to certify correctly each cycle avoids most of the disputes that arise later over what was reported. Our note on re-opening an EDD claim covers what happens when a claim lapses.