Alaska Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment Resource

Eligibility

Before you file a claim, determine your eligibility by asking the following questions:

• Were you working in a job that is subject to unemployment insurance laws?
• Were you paid at least $1000 in wages in two calendar quarters of your base period?
• Are you able, available and actively seeking work in each week you claim?

One fast way that can sometimes answer the first question is whether your employer is registered with the Alaska Department of Labor. If they are, they should have a certificate posted in the employee area identifying them as a registered employer with the Alaska Department of Labor or the Employment Security Division. You might also ask your payroll unit if your wages are subject to unemployment insurance, as most occupations are.

The second question involves a Base Period. The Base Period for Alaska is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter in which a claim for benefits is filed. For example a new claim with an effective date in May would have a Base Period of January through December of the previous year. Wages earned during the base period determine both the amount and duration of an individual's unemployment insurance benefits.

The final criteria involves your availability and willingness to seek and accept full time employment. To be eligible for unemployment you must be physically able to work, in a position to accept suitable employment in your area of residence, and actively making efforts to find work.

Filing a claim

Your UI Call Center can take your application for unemployment benefits over the phone. To help you find a job, they can register you for work with the Alaska Job Center. After your UI claim has been opened, you may file for bi-weekly benefits over the phone by calling our Automated Telephone Claim Filing System known as VICTOR.

VICTOR is an automated telephone claim system designed to serve you quickly and efficiently, using a touch-tone phone. VICTOR is available each day of the week, 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, Alaska Standard Time. You can find the beginning date of your benefit year on your monetary determination, which was sent to you after your initial call to apply for unemployment benefits. The first two weeks to claim are Weeks 1 and 2. Call VICTOR during Week 3 of your benefit year and every two weeks after that. VICTOR can only be accessed with a personal identification number called a PIN, which you will set up during your first call to VICTOR. Your PIN is an electronic signature and has the same legal authority as your signature on a paper document. Once your PIN has been established, you may use VICTOR to file your bi-weekly claims by phone or to inquire about the status of your check. Do not give your PIN to anyone because you are responsible for all claims filed and all information given to this department using your PIN and Social Security Number.

You will need the following information ready when you call your UI Call Center to apply for benefits:

• Your Social Security number
• A complete work history for the past 18 months with beginning and ending dates as well as employer names, addresses, and phone numbers
• SF-8 and SF-50 (if Federal)
• DD214 (if Military)
• Alien registration number (if not a US citizen)

Your benefit year begins the Sunday preceding the date you file your claim and ends 52 weeks later on a Saturday. During those 52 weeks a person can receive a minimum of 16 weeks to a maximum of 26 weeksof benefits depending on their wages in the base period. The duration of your claim and weekly benefit amount will be shown on the monetary determination of eligibility that is mailed to you. You may be eligible for benefits if you are less than fully employed during the week you are claiming. This means working less than 40 hours for an employer or self-employed and earning less than your excess earnings amount. The excess earnings amount is the amount of money you may earn while working less than full-time and still receiving partial benefits. This amount is posted on your monetary determination that is mailed to you when you file your application for unemployment benefits. You can also get your excess earnings amount by calling ICTOR. You must also be able and available to seek and accept full-time employment while working part-time.

UI Fraud occurs when someone intentionally misrepresents facts about their employment with the intent to increase their UI benefits. The amount of benefits received through intentional misrepresentation must be repaid, an administrative penalty of 50% will be assessed, and you will be disqualified from future benefits for six weeks for each week involved in the fraud. Additionally, depending on the amount of benefits received, any past criminal history, and other circumstances, the fraud case or cases may be submitted to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. The potential penalties at this level include the repayment of benefits, 50% penalty, and disqualification, plus possible imprisonment and additional fines as ordered by the court.

Anchorage
If you are in the Anchorage "calling area" (local phone call) use the numbers below:

If there is an issue on your unemployment insurance claim, call the TDD operator. Give the operator the toll-free telephone number: 1-888-222-0432. The operator will contact your UI call center and will be the translator between the caller and the UI Claims taker.