Nebraska Unemployment Benefits

The state provides Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. The Nebraska Department of Labor administers the program and pays benefits from the State Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Read on to know more about the program in the state.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Nebraska

To qualify for unemployment benefits in Nebraska, you must meet monetary and job separation requirements.

Monetary Eligibility

To monetarily qualify for unemployment benefits in Nebraska, you must:

• Earn at least $4,386 in your base period
• Have been paid at least $1,850 in one-quarter of your base period and $800 in another quarter

The base period is the period of employment used to determine your claim. In Nebraska, the base period is of two types: the regular base period and the alternative base period.
The regular base period is the first four of the last five completed quarters at the time of your unemployment claim, whereas the alternate base period includes the last four completed quarters. If the Department cannot establish your using your wages in the regular base period claim, it will consider your wages in the alternate base period.

Find out more about eligibility requirements

Job Separation

The Department will disqualify you if you lost your job due to any of the following reasons:

• You were fired from your job for misconduct
• You were fired for violating organizational policies
• You were fired for failing in drug test
• You voluntarily quit your job for reasons that are not considered as good-cause

In Nebraska, the following reasons are considered as good-cause for quitting a job:

• You have medical conditions and are unable to work
• You were experiencing spousal abuse and left the job to escape it

Eligibility requirements – overview

Maintaining Eligibility

You must meet any five of the following points to remain eligible for Nebraska unemployment benefits:

• Attend a job fair
• Take a civil service exam
• Meet a career counselor
• Join a professional organization in your industry or occupation field
• Take a pre-employment exam at the request of an employer
• Visit an employer’s place of business to complete a job application
• Attend job seeking skills workshops, classes, or job clubs
• Call employers to arrange for job interviews
• Participate in a sponsored networking event in your occupational field or industry
• Apply for a job through an Internet job bank or an employer’s website
• Look for works using internet job banks and professional/trade publications
• Attend a Nebraska Reemployment Services Session with the Nebraska DOL
• Take skills and interests tests sponsored by DOL, accredited college or university, or a community college to identify a new occupational field or industry

Note that at least two of the five reemployment activities in Nebraska must be applications for suitable jobs.

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Nebraska?

You must submit the following documents to receive unemployment benefits in Nebraska:

You can file for Nebraska Unemployment Insurance through the following methods:

Online

You can file for unemployment benefits online at NEworks.nebraska.gov. The Department recommends this method as it is the safest method to file for benefits.

Visit Job Center

If you do not have access to the Internet or have a disability and require assistive technology, visit your local Job Center for assistance.

Note – You must register on Nebraska’s reemployment website (NEworks – neworks.nebraska.gov) before filing a new unemployment claim. You will have to create an online resume before filing your first weekly certification unless you are a member of a union with a hiring hall or have a recall date with your employer within 112 days of your layoff date. If you are applying from another state and do not live in a county bordering the state of Nebraska, you must register for employment services in the state where you live in.

How to File Weekly Claims

After you file your new claim, you must file weekly certification online at NEworks.nebraska.gov for each week that you want to receive benefits. This holds good even if your new claim is still being processed, your eligibility is undecided, or you have an unemployment appeal pending.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

The maximum weekly benefit amount you can receive in Nebraska is $456. Benefits are calculated by identifying the wages in the highest quarter of your base period and dividing the amount by 13 to obtain an average weekly wage. The resulting amount is then divided by two and rounded up to the next even dollar to arrive at your weekly benefit amount.

Know more about the Benefits Calculator

Things to Know After Filing An Application

There are a few aspects that you must know after filing for Unemployment Insurance in Nebraska.

Overpayments

At times, you may receive benefits more than you are entitled to. This could be due to administrative errors, identity theft, false statements, or reversal of the prior unemployment decision. If you are overpaid, the Department will notify you about it, and you will have to repay the extra amount. If you have any queries regarding the overpayment, you may contact the Benefit Payment Control Unit at 402-471-2865 or [email protected].

Overpayment Through Fraud

Overpayment through fraud occurs when you intentionally hide facts. The consequences of Unemployment Insurance fraud in Nebraska include:

• A 15% penalty on the overpayment amount
• Repaying benefits received
• Losing eligibility to receive unemployment benefits
• Withholding of state and federal income tax refunds by the Department
• Jail time, criminal charges, or felony

Benefits Extension

Normally, you can receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. But if the state’s unemployment is too high, the Department may provide extended benefits. Visit Nebraska DOL to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

The Nebraska DOL provides a Reemployment Services (NEres) program to help you find a suitable job. If you receive a notice stating that you have been selected for this program, you are required to take part in it to remain eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

If you skip the NEres program, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits for that week. The program starts with an orientation and consists of a one-on-one meeting with a DOL staff member. The staff will review your employment history and refer you to the reemployment services that fit your requirements. For a list of job centers offering NEres, visit dol.nebraska.gov/ContactUs.

Know more job training opportunities in NB