How to get your

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How to get your Unemployment Insurance benefits
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• IMPORTANT
• The following presentation provides general
  information about unemployment insurance.
• However, each claim is unique and there may be
  requirements that differ for a particular
  situation.
• You will be advised of any requirements that
  affect your eligibility for benefits.

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How do I apply?
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• Call HAWAII TELE-CLAIM to file your unemployment
  claim. TTY relay service is available.
• 643-5555 (from anywhere in Hawaii)
• 1-877-215-5793 (from outside the State of Hawaii,
  toll- free)
• Hours of operation
• 630 am to 12 midnight (Sunday to Thursday)
• 630 am to 430 pm (Friday)

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• Be prepared to provide your
• Social security number
• All employment information such as
• Employers name and address
• Dates of employment
• Reason for separation for the past 18 months
  (incl. part-time work)

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Your claim will be effective from the week in
which you finalize and complete the claim filing
process after talking to a customer service
representative. Your claim is good for a one
year period called the benefit year. You can
receive a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits during
the benefit year. ? Dont delay filing your
claim. Benefits for back weeks may not be
accepted if you delay filing.
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How much will I be paid?
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Your earnings during the 1st four of the last 5
completed quarters that you worked are used to
determine your benefit eligibility. You need
earnings in at least 2 quarters and total
earnings of at least 26 times your weekly benefit
amount To calculate your weekly benefit amount,
take the quarter with the highest wages and
divide by 21. There is a maximum weekly benefit
amount that changes each year. You will
receive a notice explaining your benefit
eligibility.
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• Unemployment insurance benefits paid to you is
  taxable income.
• You can elect to have federal or state income
  taxes withheld.
• Form 1099G is mailed to you for your records and
  the amount paid is reported to the IRS and State
  Tax Office.

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How often will I get my unemployment check?
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The normal filing period will be weekly for the
first 2 weeks and bi-weekly (every two weeks) for
the following weeks. The first week you are
eligible for benefits is a waiting period week
and no benefits are paid. Your first
unemployment check for the second week of
unemployment is normally paid in 3 weeks.
Thereafter, you will be paid on a bi-weekly basis.
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• How do I file my
• weekly claims?

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• Call Hawaii Tele-Claim at 643-2222 (or
  1-877-215-5791 if on the mainland) to file your
  weekly and/or bi-weekly claim certifications.
• Cell phones with out-of-state phone number
  sometimes do not connect. Use a landline if this
  occurs.
• You will receive instructions in the mail
  explaining how to file your weekly/bi-weekly
  claim certifications.

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What are the Registration for Work and Job Search
requirements?
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• You must register for work within 7 calendar
  days after filing your unemployment claim by
  posting your resume online at HireNet Hawaii, the
  internet based job matching system used by the
  state Workforce Development Division.
• HireNet Hawaii website
• www.hirenethawaii.com
• If you do not have internet access or need
  assistance, report to your nearest One-Stop
  Center for assistance.

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• You must actively seek work and are required to
  make at least 3 job contacts every week.
• You must be able and available for work and
  willing to accept suitable employment when
  offered.
• Job contacts can be made in-person, by phone or
  through the internet.
• Periodically, your local claims office will
  request a record of your job contacts or schedule
  you for an in-person interview to check on your
  job search activities.

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What if I have a part-time job? Can I still
collect?
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• You may be able to collect while employed
  part-time. You can earn up to 150 without any
  reduction in your weekly benefit amount.
• Earnings above 150 will be deducted from your
  weekly benefit amount and you will be paid the
  balance.
• If your earnings are equal to or exceed your
  weekly benefit amount, no benefits will be paid
  to you.

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• For more information, please visit us at
• http//hawaii.gov/labor/ui
• If you have any questions, call your local
  unemployment office
• Honolulu Kaneohe 586-8970 or 586-8971
• Waipahu 675-0030
• Hilo 974-4086
• Kona 322-4822
• Maui 984-8400
• Molokai 553-1750
• Kauai 274-3043
• Liable Interstate Unit 1(808) 586-8960