Overview
- The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program has been extended through December 28, 2013.
- If you were previously collecting EUC, continue to certify for benefits on your regularly scheduled day.
- If you have already exhausted all EUC benefits, you are not eligible for any additional benefits under the EUC program.
- Eligibility or continued eligibility under the extended EUC program is dependant upon Illinois unemployment rate; when your EUC claim became effective; and whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements.
- EUC claims will be automatically established, at this time, for those individuals who exhausted regular benefits week ending January 12, 2013 or later.
- Participation in the Reemployment Services/Reemployment Eligibility Assessment is required to determine continued eligibility for EUC benefits.
- If you are currently collecting regular unemployment, insurance benefits nothing has changed. When it is time for your EUC claim to be established, you will receive instructions from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) by mail.
- Help for Those Losing EUC Unemployment Insurance.
What is Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)?
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is a program that provides federally funded extended unemployment compensation benefits. The EUC Program has been extended and modified since its enactment on June 30, 2008. The most recent extension to the EUC Program became effective January 06, 2013, extending the program through December 28, 2013.
Benefits under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program are payable to individuals who:
- have exhausted all weeks payable under the Regular Unemployment Insurance Compensation Program and
- continue to meet all applicable eligibility requirements.
Currently, an individual may be eligible to receive up to a maximum of 37 paid weeks under the EUC program; if the EUC claims was effective (or began) September 2, 2012 or later and the person meets the applicable eligibility requirements
The payable weeks are divided into multiple EUC Tiers as follows:
| EUC TIERS |
WEEKS AVAILABLE |
| Tier 1 |
14 weeks |
| Tier 2 |
14 weeks |
| Tier 3 |
9 weeks |
NOTE: The number of weeks stated above applies to claimants who have no deductions or reductions of their weekly benefit amount payments. An individual must exhaust the number of payable weeks available in one Tier before collecting benefits on the next Tier.
What happens now that the EUC Program has been extended?
If you previously qualified and have already begun collecting EUC benefits, you should continue to certify on your regularly scheduled day. However:
- If you have exhausted benefits on EUC Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3, you are not eligible for additional EUC benefits.
- If your regular unemployment benefits exhausted the week ending January 12, 2013 or later, your EUC claim will be automatically established, at this time.
When the EUC claim has been established, you will receive a Notice from IDES regarding the EUC claim.
NOTE: Along with the notice, you will also receive a packet with instructions on when to report to your local office for Reemployment Services/Reemployment Eligibility Assessment Program. Participation in this assessment is required to determine your continued eligibility for EUC benefits.
The packet will also provide you with information on the requirements to remain eligible for EUC benefits.
Extended Benefits (EB) - program ended
The week ending May 12, 2012, was the last week payable on Extended Benefits (EB).
