INDIANAPOLIS (June 30, 2009) – On July 1, 2009 several changes to the unemployment insurance system will take effect due to the passage of House Enrolled Act 1379, the Unemployment Trust Fund Bill. Below are the key claimant components of this legislation that will go into effect July 1.
Claimants must submit one job application per week. For all vouchers filed after July 1, claimants must submit one application per week and look for work at two other places in order to remain eligible for benefits. Claimants may apply for work in person, by mail, e-mail, or online, but must be able to document to DWD their job application and work search on their on-line weekly voucher. Previously unemployment insurance recipients needed only to conduct three work searches per week. All claimants are required to register for work at www.IndianaCareerConnect.com <<a href=”http://www.indianacareerconnect.com/”>http://www.indianacareerconnect.com/> , post their resume and have their resume available for employers to view to be eligible for benefits.
New Wage Guidelines for Suitable Work. Unemployment Insurance recipients must accept any offer of suitable work.. HEA 1379 codifies wage requirements for “suitable work.” During weeks 5-8 of receiving unemployment insurance benefits, a claimant must accept work that pays at least 90% of his or her previous wage. After 8 weeks of collecting benefits, claimants must accept work that pays at least 80% of previous wage.
The vast majority of changes mandated by HEA 1379, most notably the new tax schedule for businesses, will not go into effect until January 1, 2010. Hoosier companies will receive their new tax rate in a mailing during the 4th quarter of this year.