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Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks?

Update – Feb 7, 2011 – Legislation to add extra weeks for 99ers

Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Bobby Scott (Va.) are reintroducing legislation this week to provide additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits for “99ers,”

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Part of Obama’s 2009 stimulus package was extra funding for states to extend the length of unemployment benefits if necessary.  Most states have a fixed number of weeks available for benefits but can increase the number of weeks if the economic climate is bad enough.  This is usually measured by the unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate in Tennesse was 9.9% for April 2009 which is up from 6.0% in April of last year.  This is the highest unemployment rate in 25 years.  Tennesse has qualified for $141 million to pay for extended benefits as well as upgrades to the benefit infrastructure.

What unemployment benefits are available now?

Currently Tennessee will pay benefits for 26 weeks which is the normal payout period.  There is another 33 weeks which is available because of the 2009 stimulus package for a total of 59 weeks.


Unemployed workers can get up to $275 per week in benefits plus a bonus $25 a week from the federal government for a total of $300 per week.

Will the unemployment benefits be extended by another 20 weeks?

[edit – please note that this bill has been passed]

Currently there is a bill called HB 2324 which if passed will increase benefits by up to 20 weeks.  If the claimant has any children the bill will also add on $15 per week per child up to 3 kids.  This bill has not been made law yet but you can check on the status of the bill here.  At the moment (May 22) it says that it is scheduled for the Finance, Means and Ways committe for May 27.  This bill was first introduced on Feb 26 so it is taking a long time.

Once the bill is passed by the FMW committee then it will go to the house and senate and lastly the governor.

There is a very good chance that unemployment benefits will be extended by 20 weeks however the slow machine of politics means that it might take a while.

693 replies on “Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks?”

frannie…sorry but I don’t have the answer.
When I went thru the re-certify process I bungled
it all up and Mr. Partlow had to help me.
Now the system is much more updated and faster at processing
so let’s hope all goes well for you. Sorry I can’t be of more help
’cause I know how frustrating it is.

Frannie,

The expiration of a benefit year seems to confuse many. Here are the rules of what happens if your Benefit Year ends –

The federal rules regarding EUC and EB state that if there is regular state unemployment benefit entitlement, a claimant must receive regular state benefits before starting or continuing with EUC and/or EB.

When a claimant’s BYE ends, there is a possibility that he may be eligible for a new state claim. A claimant’s EUC or EB must stop at that point until the claimant files a new claim to make this determination.

Generally, if you haven’t worked since filing your original claim, you aren’t going to be eligible for a new claim. If this is the case and it can be quickly determined that you aren’t eligible for a new claim, you will be placed back on to your old claim to continue with your EUC or EB.

If you have worked since originally filing, you must earn 5 times your weekly benefit amount from this other employer and be separated under qualifying conditions before the new claim becomes eligible. At one point, if you were eligible for a new claim, regardless if your weekly benefit amount went down, you were required to receive benefits on the new claim. The EUC law was later changed by Congress to state that if your weekly benefit amount is reduced in these circumstances by 25% or $100, the claimant is given an option as to which claim they would rather receive benefits on.

All that being said, Frannie, if you start receiving benefits on the new claim, you will have a waiting period. If you are flipped back to your old EUC claim, there is no waiting period.

Steve,

If your benefit year ends, you need to file a new unemployment claim. After you get a new claim filed, you should be able to certify.

Can someone please explain the tiers of eb as mentioned above? I’ve never heard of eb10, eb20, etc. Thanks!

Apresto,

There is regular state unemployment, called TUC (Tennessee Unemployment Compensation), 4 tiers of EUC and, then EB.

TUC is a maximum of 26 weeks
EUC Tier 1 is a maximum of 20 weeks
EUC Tier 2 is a maximum of 14 weeks
EUC Tier 3 is a maximum of 13 weeks
EUC Tier 4 is a maximum of 6 weeks
EB is a maximum of 20 weeks

Total of 99 weeks

John, thank you. I know all of that and have exhausted them all. I had never heard of it referred to as eb10, 20 etc.

@ Apresto If your referring to one of my comments that info was given to by a lady at the Talbott, TN. career center. I will pass her name on to John if he emails me and wants. The date was 4/25/11 @ 2:50 pm. I was not suprised to learn it was bad info, as she was so hateful and a true smart a??.
She took great pride in letting me know she was a state employee and even when expressing concern about the issue to her the reply was it’s not my problem.

I believe that I know what caused the confusion regarding the various names of EB.

The legislation that implemented the 4 tiers of EUC and EB was not all created at the same time. At one point, there were only EUC Tiers 1 and 2. Then came EB. Those who became unemployed early on received benefits like this –

State unemployment benefits
EUC Tier 1
EUC Tier 2
EB

Then Congress passed EUC Tiers 3 and 4. For someone who had already started receiving EB, we went ahead and allowed them to receive the remainder of their EB and then transitioned them to EUC Tiers 3 and 4. For those that received EB before Tiers 3 and 4, their EB claims were named something different, and I believe it was EB and then the year they received it, such as EB 09.

Consequently, we have some old claims that look like this –

State unemployment benefits
EUC Tier 1
EUC Tier 2
EB 09 (for instance)
EUC Tier 3
EUC Tier 4

However, those with more recent claims are going to be structured like:

State unemployment benefits
EUC Tier 1
EUC Tier 2
EUC Tier 3
EUC Tier 4
EB

However, regardless of what EB is called on your claim, the maximum is 80% of your state unemployment claim, which, if you received the maximum on your regular state unemployment claim, is 20 weeks.

I hope this helps clear up the confusion.

I’m confused on the job search for the EB. I had to apply at the same place twice because a job alert came up. Two totally different jobs. I don’t know if that’s allowed or not.

What’s the fastest way to get in touch with someone? Everytime I call its telling me all lines are busy try again, and hangs up on me!

Hi everyone, well almost 4 months with a job. Its just unreal at how I was here for 1 1/2 yrs and now I have a job. There is hope out there. We hired 4 more after me that were unemployed so I am pushing for the ones unemployed when they interview. Does anyone know about any unemployment organization, to help at holidays? I know we see ones here that are really needing help and our company helps buy Christmas stuff and we looked into something called Tent City but so far nobody will help tell us who to contact. I think it has to be an organization or I would pick individuals myself. Let me know if you all know of any unemployed that need help and are part of any organization. Hope that makes sense. I will always try to help unemployed since I have been here. Let me know if you all found jobs…I’m hearing of some openings and maybe can help. Best of luck to all and thank you for getting me through the rough times.

John, what is your email address? My daughter has a problem you might can help with. thanks

MR. PARTLOW……….I was laid off the first of March 30,2011 and 26 weeks of benefits will end shortly. Will I be eligible for more benefitys? Thanks Bettyann

Roy – We don’t know if it will be extended. The current extensions, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) are federally funded so it would be up to Congress.

Bettyann – Once our initial state unemployment benefits are exhausted, you should transition into EUC Tier 1.

I am still unemployed and will soon be ending tier 3. After tier 4 will I be able to continue on to EB if I am still unemployed or are those benefits ending this year? Thanks to anyone who can answer. Marlie

Hi Mr. Partlow,
I have a couple questions if you have time I would really appreciate any and all help you can give me.
I recently received my last unemployment payment for my initial claim.
The lady at my local career center said I would automatically transition into my first extension without having to do anything.
However, when I called to check and make sure I was going to make the transition, I was told that I didn’t transition automatically and I would have to get a hold of someone in Nashville to fix it for me. They said this sometimes happens to about 10 % of those transfering into extended benefits. Does this sound right?
Also, I have had zero luck getting a hold of someone who can help with the problem when calling the number given( 1-877-813-0950). I just keep getting told to call back at a later time.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely Keith
Also,

Keith,

I would be glad to have to look at your claim. Please email me your contact information at [email protected]

Please include your name and the last four digits of your social security number.

I am based out of TN and I have one week left of my EU. My benefit year is finishing up……should I file a new claim….I have never worked for these past 11 months after filing my original claim.

Sara,

I am not sure what you mean by “based” out of Tennessee. But if your benefit year is ending, then you need to file a new claim when that happens. If by “based” in Tennessee you mean that you may have base period wages in another state, then we must check to see if you have eligibility for a new regular unemployment claim in Tennessee and the other state. If you have no new eligibility for a new state claim in Tennessee or any other state, you would be placed back on to your EUC claim.

Benefit years end on Saturday. My advice is the following Monday after your benefit year ends, you file a new claim.

Mr. Paltrow,
Thank you for the details. i meant to say I worked in TN and live there too and after filing my orginal calim I never worked and have just one week left of EB according to my account with unemployment weekly certification. However when I called last week to the Unemployment office in TN….a representative told after looking at my account that I have been in tier one and now in tier two i will have EB till dec 31, 2011 and after that it will expires. But she did not tell me if i can refile or if i wont be eligible at all. Can you please explain??? Thanks again

Thank you in advance for your time.

I worked for almost a year. I had to file a new claim. Regular UB.
I received all checks. I thot I would transition to EUB.
Now it has benefits listed from 2009 which is old. It changed from my 2011.

I tried to file certification. Message: “There is a break in your benefits. “Call the office. We all know almost impossible to reach. (Only have cell phone)
what does “Break in benefits mean”?
Do I need to file a new claim?
What do I do now?
Phyllis Lewis

Sara,

I can’t really tell you any more without looking at your claim. If you had EUC eligibility, you shouldn’t be receiving EB. Are you sure you were receiving EB? If you were receiving EUC Tier 1, you will transition into EUC Tier 2 as soon as you exhaust Tier 1. However, when your benefit year ends, you will need to file a new claim.

I just wanted to thank you so much . Ive been browsing several weeks to get clarity on several issues re: euc, eb and bye. This my 1st unemp experience since 1990. You have been awesome!

Mr Partlow, I know you are probably busy, but, I have a quick question. I was drawing EB and had 2 weeks left when I found a job. July 1st, I started working, then, on Sept 7th, they closed the doors, out of business. I called the claims line and met the 5x amount of pay rule, so, I was told if my unemployment claim was approved, I would probably draw the last 2 weeks that was left on my unemployment EB prior to the job. But, since my bye date is 10/8/11, I would have to call and re-certify and maybe be eligible for a new claim. I called the TIPS line today to certify, and did. I checked the benefits page on the internet and it shows that I am drawing regular UE benefits, not EB, it shows that I have 14 weeks of eligibility and the most recent date of separation being my last job date 10/4/09, not the 9/7/11, which is the latest date.

I know I will still have to re-certify on Oct 8th, but is the above correct?? If it is regular State UE benefits, why is it only 14 weeks?? Would this be EB benefits that restarted?? Because I was told that this last week (17th)would be my wait week and if approved, probably wouldn’t receive a payment till the following week(with backpay).

Thanks for taking the time, I’m just a little confused.

Dwayne

Forget one more thing. When I certified through the
TIPS line, it didn’t ask the question “Did you make the required minimum 2 work contacts,” just the basic “are you looking for work at the minimum of 20 hrs.”

Thanks again

Dwayne

Cannot certify today (9/25/11). TIP’s line gives a “busy” message, and the Online Services website seems to be down.

Yes the site is down……I guess we will have to call on Monday…or is it Tuesday that we have to call ?

The rules say: If your assigned day is Sunday and you fail to certify on that day, you must wait and certify on Tuesday. However, my assigned day is Sunday, but I have certified on Monday several times…no problem.

I had the same problem today with the tips line. However, I was able to finally get through after about my eighth try. Just a heads up to everyone, once the call connected there was dead silence for less than a minute. I didn’t hang up and finally the automated system came on and I was able to certify. Keep in my that the TIPS line is available to use today until from 8am to 12 midnight. So just keep trying until you get through. The online certification usually cuts off in the early afternoon hours on Sunday around 1pm I think. But the TIPS line stays open until midnight on Sunday. I would probably wait and try again later. You still have plenty of time to certify and by then they may have fixed the glitch in the system. Hope this helps and good luck.

I just got through on the TIPS line and my certification was accepted. I did get about a 60 second pause at the beginning of the call…as mentioned above by TC.

TIPS phone #’s:
Nashville 615-532-1800
Other Tennessee Areas: 1-800-689-9799
Out Of State Claimant TIPS Number 1-800-262-8094

Thank you very much for the phone numbers……I always certify by means of the computer….. Can we certify untill Sunday nite at midnight?

I am beginning my tier 1 benefits and they will expire the end of Dec 2011 as well this will be my recertification date. Will my benefits completely end or is there still a chance I could receive the rest of the tiers? I have been reading all the questions and comments but may have missed it if already posted. Dwayne thank you for all your comments and website posting you have done. Great job!!!!!

FYI: Well I just called and they didn’t process my unemployed I filed yesterday so my benefits will be late this week.

FYI: Well I just called and they didn’t process my unemployed I filed yesterday so my benefits will be late this week.

Ok sorry just hit me they said my benefits were certified for week ending 9-17-11 and would be paid on the next check run so even though the phone system told me my certification had been accepted and was being processed I don’t know if they did or not and can’t get hold of any of the phone numbers to find out they are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. Imagine that.

Ok sorry everyone it jus hit me they said my benefits were certified for week ending 9-17-11 and would be paid on the next check run so even though the phone system told me my certification had been accepted and was being processed I don’t know if they did or not and can’t get hold of any of the phone numbers to find out they are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. Imagine that.

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