Louisiana Unemployment Benefits

Louisianans who lost their job through no fault of their own can receive temporary financial assistance under the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. The UI program is administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and is funded by a tax on the employers. Read through the page to know about eligibility requirements to qualify for Louisiana UI benefits and much more information.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Louisiana

You must meet the monetary and job separation requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits in Louisiana.

Monetary Eligibility

To be monetarily eligible for UI benefits, you must have earned at least $1,200 in your base period, and your total earnings in your base period must be at least 1.5 times your wages in the highest quarter of the base period.
Note that if you don’t have sufficient earnings in your base period, the Workforce Commission will consider your wages in the alternate base period.

Find out more about eligibility requirements

Job Separation

You will qualify for Louisiana unemployment benefits only if you lost your job through no fault of your own. You will not be eligible for benefits if you were fired or voluntarily quit your job unless the reason for quit is considered a good cause by the Commission. Some of the reasons considered as good-cause include:

• You are facing harassment at the workplace
• You are working in unsafe working conditions
• The employer made significant changes without your consent
• You had medical conditions and were unable to work

Eligibility requirements – overview

Maintaining Eligibility

You must maintain your eligibility as long as you want to receive Louisiana unemployment benefits. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:

• Be able to and available for work
• Actively look for work by contacting at least 3 different employer
• Accept a suitable job offer
• Document your work search activities
• Report to your nearest Business & Career Solutions Center and participate in reemployment assistance activities

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Louisiana?

You must submit the following documents to apply for UI benefits in Louisiana:

You can file for Louisiana unemployment benefits through any of the following methods:

Online

It is one of the easiest and fastest ways to apply for benefits. You can file for unemployment benefits online at https://www.louisianaworks.net/hire/vosnet/registration/ind/uiclaim.aspx.

Visit Job Center

You can also file by visiting the Job Center near you. Representatives at the Job Center will assist you in filing for benefits and may also provide you more information about the program in your state.

How to File Weekly Claims

You must file weekly certifications for each week you wish to receive benefits. You can request payment online through Helping Individuals Reach Employment (HiRE) at www.louisianaworks.net/HIRE or by phone at 866-783-5567.
You must request your first payment the Sunday following the date you filed your initial unemployment claim. If you file your claim on a Friday or Saturday, you must request your first payment the following Tuesday through Friday, thereafter, on each Sunday or Monday. In case you forget to file a weekly certification on Sunday or Monday, you can file any other day of that week.

Note –

1. The deadline to file weekly certifications is Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
2. The first 7 days following the date of your new unemployment claim are considered as a week of waiting, and you will not receive payments during this period.
3. If you fail to file weekly certifications, you will not receive benefits for those weeks.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earrings in your covered employment. The weekly UI benefit amount that you could receive will be at least $10 but no more than $247. The Workforce Commission determines your weekly benefit amount by taking the first 1/25th of the average of your total wages in the base period in covered employment and multiplying the number by 1.05. The result is then multiplied by 1.15.
Note that any earnings, holiday pay, accrued vacation, pensions, severance, or dismissal pay in lieu of notice will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

Know more about the Benefits Calculator

Things To Know After Filing An Application

You must know several aspects after filing for Unemployment Insurance in Louisiana. They include:

Overpayments

Sometimes, you may receive a benefit amount more than you are entitled to. An overpayment may occur due to reasons like:

• Failure to report wages
• Administrative errors
• Reversal of previous unemployment decision
• Failure to provide to necessary details to LWC
• Wilful misinterpretation or false statements

If you receive an overpayment, LWC will send an overpayment notice that includes instructions on repaying overpaid benefits. If you fail to repay the overpaid amount, LWC will recover it by deducting the amount from future UI payments or garnishing any federal and state income tax refunds.

Overpayment Through Fraud

Overpayment through fraud occurs when you intentionally give false statements or hide facts about your wages and employment. The consequences of overpayment through fraud are as follows:

• Liens will be assessed
• You will be required to pay a penalty
• You will be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits for 52 weeks
• Your fishing and recreational hunting licenses will be suspended
• LWC may press legal action

Benefits Extension

Generally, the Louisiana Workforce Commissions provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. But if the state’s unemployment rate is too high, it may provide extended benefits. Visit the Workforce Commission to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

The LWC’s American Job Center system offers several training and services to job seekers. Some of them include:
Services

• Online local, state, and national job listings
• Web-based job search assistance
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
• Trade Readjustment Assistance (TRA)
• Assessments of education, skills, and interests
• Education and training information
• Job counseling, job placement assistance, and referrals
• Community resources information
• Access to computers, fax, and copy machines
• Labor market information
• Job search workshops
• Veterans’ services

Training opportunities

• Registered apprenticeship
• Basic skills upgrades
• Adult basic education, literacy, math skills, and GED preparation
• Education and curriculum information
• Youth employment programs
• Employer-based training
• Job readiness skills courses
• Entrepreneurial training
• Training scholarships

Know more job training opportunities in LA