Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

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Going through the process of claiming benefits for unemployment in Kansas is not as difficult as it may seem. The most important thing to remember is that the federal unemployment benefits program in Kansas was designed to help unemployed residents maintain financial stability while searching for a new means of employment. Since the program is intended to be temporary, a typical unemployment benefits period lasts 26 weeks. In some cases, an applicant may be eligible to apply for an unemployment benefits extension.

How to Claim Unemployment Benefits in Kansas

If you are looking to claim unemployment benefits in Kansas, you should first familiarize yourself with the unemployment eligibility requirements. The most significant unemployment insurance eligibility requirements in Kansas involve the reason why the applicant is currently unemployed, and whether or not the applicant is able to seek out and complete a full-or-part-time job. In order for an applicant to be eligible to file an unemployment benefits claim, he or she must have been terminated from their job for reasons that are of no fault of their own. The reason for termination will be verified through documentation and a written or in-person testimony provided by the applicant’s employer. Both the applicant and employer reserve the right to file for an appeal should they disagree with the decision to either accept to deny the applicant for unemployment benefits.

Reasons that may disqualify an applicant from being eligible for federal unemployment benefits include:

  • Misconduct in the work place, or not following the rules and regulations set in place by the employer.
  • Illegal activity such as theft or sexual harassment within the work place.
  • Incarceration occurring during the work period.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse during work hours that prevents the employee from fully performing their job.
  • Willful violation or lack of interest in the needs of the employer.

Not all applicants who have voluntarily left their job are ineligible to receive federal unemployment benefits. If an applicant voluntarily left their job due to the illegal withholding of wages, excessive verbal, physical or mental abuse, sexual harassment or unsafe work conditions, the applicant may still be able to claim unemployment benefits.

If an applicant does fulfill the requirements to receive unemployment benefits, he or she must continue to maintain eligibility throughout the benefits period in order to continue claiming benefits for unemployment. Each applicant must continue to submit biweekly claims, as well as keep records and contact information of all the jobs they applied for. The job search record will serve as proof that the applicant is actively seeking unemployment. Having a record of job searches may also the applicant help later on if he or she wishes to apply for an unemployment benefits extension.

If suitable work becomes available to the applicant, he or she is required to accept it. Kansas state law defines suitable work as any position that is within the applicant’s expertise or training level and provides a realistic salary for that specific career field.

In some cases, the applicant may be temporarily physically or mentally unable to pursue or fill a full-time position. In this situation, the applicant may still be eligible to claim unemployment benefits. Circumstances such as an out-of-state move that came as a result of domestic violence, or having a temporary injury or illness strike you or a family member that requires full-time care, are situations that re often dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

How Much You May Receive through Federal Unemployment Benefits

In the state of Kansas, Federal unemployment benefits are paid out weekly over the span of 26 weeks. The amount of weekly unemployment benefits claimed can reach a max of $474 per week, or a minimum of $118 per week. The amount of benefits you receive each week is based on the amount of income you were earning before becoming unemployed and the number of dependents you currently have living with you. Once your base period earnings have been verified by the unemployment department, you will be given 4.25% of the earnings you made during your highest paid quarter at that time. This amount may increase when adding in your monthly allowance, which is based on the number of dependent minors in your home.