Month: May 2016

  • 7 Rules for Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility You Didn’t Know About

    7 Rules for Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility You Didn’t Know About

    There are seven rules for Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility.  Yes, there are many other rules and guidelines an applicant should consider, but 7 big ones at a minimum.

    Before taking on the unemployment office, consider the following.

    First, Bad News About Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility

    Bad news first, right? The unemployment office looks at eligibility issues on a week by week basis. This means a person eligible today might not be eligible in a week.

    In other words, a person trying to collect unemployment can get denied in any given week.

    On the other hand, being ineligible this week might mean you can become eligible next week.  Thus, take these 7 rules seriously.

    Good News About Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility

    Minnesota has one of the highest levels of benefits. For some people, applicants can receive nearly $775 dollars per week for a total of nearly $20,000 over a 26 week period.

    Even though lower paying jobs offer less in benefits, it is nice to know that many Minnesotans can keep a roof over their head and food in the fridge upon obtaining benefits.

    Knowing this, let me introduce 7 rules I believe are critical.

    7 Rules for Minnesota Unemployment Eligibility

    Okay, here are the first seven rules every applicant seeking or trying to collect unemployment should consider:

    1. Minnesota rules and statutes are not the same. To start your research, consider Minnesota statute 268.085.
    2. Except for those in special programs like CLIMB, applicants are required to seek suitable employment.
    3. Unemployment audits are always a possibility
    4. The unemployment office has different rules for quitting versus getting fired.
    5. There are lots of ways unemployment benefits can get delayed.
    6. Independent contractors run into problems.
    7. Unemployed workers seeking out employment agencies sometimes run into problems too.

    Other Unemployment Issues

    Absolutely, there are going to be a number of additional issues every applicant should be concerned with. However, they are going to be case by case. After all, each claim is different because each claim started with a different employer and boss.

    Nonetheless, I recommend to each applicant considering benefits to know how or why they are eligible for benefits before filling out their application for benefits.

    Next, every worker or applicant should read Minnesota statute 268.095 and ask themselves how it applies to their own situation.

    Then, I believe every applicant trying to help themselves with Minnesota unemployment eligibility should determine whether there is more than one way for them to become eligible for benefits.

  • Look Into These Eyes Before You Repay Unemployment

    Look Into These Eyes Before You Repay Unemployment

    Nobody wants to repay unemployment.  When Minnesota’s unemployment office claims money needs to be repaid or returned, they call it an “unemployment overpayment”.

    I believe every applicant trying to collect unemployment in Minnesota should appeal when accused of an overpayment versus concede.

    Here is an introduction to my approach to an unemployment repayment:

    Identify the deadline to repay unemployment

    In my experience, a lot of people do not know they can appeal an overpayment.  Everybody I meet with is encouraged to find a deadline.  The deadline I ask people to find is not the deadline to return or repay benefits.

    Instead, I encourage applicants to find the date they can appeal their case.  Generally, the deadline to appeal an overpayment can be found in two locations:

    • Online and within an Applicant’s benefit account, or
    • Somewhere within the letter describing the problem.

    Related documents to repay unemployment

    Generally, letters looking like a pay stub or invoice are not helpful.  These types of letters are designed to encourage applicants to repay unemployment.

    In my experience, they do not support or help applicants appeal the unemployment overpayment.  In fact, a lot of people incorrectly interpret their invoice or repayment voucher as a forgone conclusion they no longer have appeal rights.

    For this reason, finding the deadline specific to an unemployment overpayment is a significant step.

    Good reasons to appeal unemployment

    Yes, there are many reasons to appeal an unemployment overpayment.  They include but are not limited to the following:

    • Identifying a legal reason to qualify for unemployment,
    • Notice of an appeal deadline was never received,
    • Due process failed,
    • There was an error of law,
    • The evidence does not support an overpayment, and or
    • A decision was arbitrarily decided

    Stop or cancel an overpayment

    Yes, Minnesota has rules that support cancelling an unemployment overpayment.

    Because the goal should always be reducing an overpayment to zero dollars ($0), I believe the process to repay unemployment should always begin with the appeal process.

    If a person does not have appeal rights, then Minnesota statute 268.18 can have a positive impact on a family’s well-being.

    Repay unemployment or negotiate?

    Unfortunately, the opportunity to negotiate a repayment plan is a lot harder than it should be.  No, applicants owing money to the unemployment office in Minnesota are not “negotiating a settlement” and the process is not the same as the IRS debt settlement commercials you hear on the radio.

    Instead, the process to repay unemployment benefits should be viewed as a way to reduce monthly payments while using cancellation rules to one’s advantage.

    Repay unemployment help

    If you believe the process described above or you need help accessing your situation, please contact me for more information.