How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits with the Iowa Workforce Development?
This guide helps readers better understand the requirements and how to apply for benefits from the Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs in Iowa, in addition to explaining the effects of the CARES Act. The Iowa Workforce Development provides easy to follow tutorials and FAQ guides to address common concerns.
To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance with the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), you must be completely or partially out of work through no fault of your own and have worked in Iowa for 15 to 18 months and earned a minimum amount of wages. You also must be available for work and actively seeking new employment. Existing claimants can sign in or new claimants can register here.
Required Information for Unemployment Insurance in Iowa
In order to successfully submit your Unemployment Insurance form, you'll need to provide your social security number or alien registration number, along with start and end dates, the payroll address, and the telephone number of your employer. You will also need to notify IWD if you will get any kind of severance or vacation pay, in addition to the information of any dependents. If you served in the military during the previous 18 months, you will need to provide information from for DD-214 form.
How To Apply For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in Iowa Online
Under the CARES Act, Unemployment Insurance benefits are increased by up to $600 per week and can be provided for up to 39 weeks. The first payable week is February 2, 2020. The program also extends unemployment insurance benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, non-profits employees, and gig economy workers, along with part-time employees who don't meet the regular requirements to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits.
Apply Online
Before filing your unemployment insurance claim, check out the video tutorials on how to file for unemployment insurance if you're self-employed in Iowa and how to file a weekly claim. If you have any questions regarding the process be sure to read the Unemployment Insurance FAQs before contacting IWD Customer Service.
Go here and click "Apply Online" and enter existing login information if you've received benefits from IWD before. Or, you can click register to create a new login account to start your claim.
The form is broken up into sections and is easy to complete. Once completed, you will need to report your proof of income. To establish a work history, you can use 1099 Miscellaneous income-only forms, W-2 forms, or pay stubs from 2019. Additional options for proof of income can be found at the bottom of the submission page.
Next Step for PUA Claimants (Self-Employed, Gig Economy Workers, Freelancers, etc.)
Disregard the green sheet. It is computer generated and doesn't reflect the status of your PUA claim. If you have already submitted proof of income, you will need to wait until an IWD representative contacts you by phone. After your phone interview, you will get a letter if your claim is approved or denied and an email if your claim is approved. If approved, you should start getting payments in five to seven days. You have 60 days within your claim being denied to file an appeal.
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