My Unemployment Base Period in MN was Wrong

Base PeriodWhat is your unemployment Base Period in MN and what does it mean?

An Unemployment Base Period is used to calculate how much in benefits a person will receive on a weekly basis.

Basically, DEED (the unemployment office in Minnesota) reviews the last four completed calendar quarters of wages.  The more money a person made in the last 4 quarters, the more in benefits a person will be eligible for.

Because the statute is so darn complicated, DEED gets these types of calculations wrong.  Also, employers fail at reporting wages and indirectly cause problems for applicants seeking benefits.

Thus, appealing an unemployment base period error can be worth it.

Unemployment Base Period:  Pinpoint Reasons

In my practice, I see employees focus way to much time on their base period when instead, they should focus on their appeal for eligibility.

Other times, I see people overwhelmed with appeal issues and completely forget about the wages impacting their benefits.

So you know, an Unemployment Base Period in MN can change for a number of reasons.  Some of the most common reasons include commission schedules, injuries, and leaves of absences.

Calculate Your Base Period

In Minnesota, here is the most common method for determining a base period.

  • If you become unemployed between February 1 and March 31, the Unemployment Base Period is January 1 through December 31 
  • (of the previous year).
  • If you become unemployed between May 1 and June 30, the base period is April 1 through March 31.
  • If you become unemployed between August 1 and September 30, the Unemployment Base Period in MN is July 1 through June 30.
  • If you become unemployed between November 1 and December 31, the Unemployment Base Period in MN is October 1 through September 30.

UI Base Period Final Thoughts

As you can see, this issue is extremely tricky and bares certain risks that may inadvertently initiate an audit or instigate an appeal.

Again, check out Minnesota statute 268.035 and be very prudent with the exchange of paperwork or evidence, because DEED and employers make mistakes.

I wish you the very best.

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