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Guest blog: Agricultural Workers Project (AWP)

Written by Thomas Godfrey

What is unemployment insurance?

Unemployment insurance gives temporary benefits to eligible workers that lost their work for reasons out of their control and who also meet other requirements for a new job.

How can you be eligible for unemployment benefits?

To qualify for unemployment insurance you have to have earned a certain quantity of money the last year before applying, be an authorized person for work in the United States, be unemployed, or earn less than the weekly quantity of unemployment payments, be looking for work; moreover, you should be able to work and be available to begin an appropriate job without delay when offered.

How do you apply for unemployment benefits?

To receive unemployment benefits, you need to fill out an application with the office of unemployment insurance in the state where you work. If you work in several states or in a different state from the one that you live in, you should contact the unemployment insurance office in the state where you live now, to receive guidance on where is the best place to apply. You can apply online or by phone: the people in charge of your application will ask you for your information such as addresses and dates of your previous employment.  In the event that you are approved, it usually takes two or three weeks after filling out your application to receive your first payment of unemployment benefits.

After your application is approved, to continue receiving the unemployment benefits in the following weeks, you must be available and ready immediately to accept a job. You must be actively looking for a job, even if you have a part-time job or waiting for a seasonal job. It is important that you make a serious effort to find a job every week that you solicit and receive a benefit payment. You should also report your salary or income per working day, temporary or independent jobs.

In Minnesota, you can apply online here https://www.uimn.org or call 1-877-898-9090.  You have the right to use the unemployment security system in the language you understand, and to ask for assistance in the language you prefer.  

What can you do if you are denied unemployment benefits?

If your application is not approved and you don’t agree with this decision, you can appeal. The instructions to fill out an appeal are included in all decisions. The appeal must be completed electronically, sent by mail or fax between the date specified for appeals in the decision. It's very important to read all the letters that you receive about your application for unemployment benefits. You can get an interpretation through the unemployment insurance office. 

After filling out an appeal, a hearing will be scheduled with a judge of unemployment laws. The hearings are by phone. It is very important that you participate in your hearing for an appeal. If you don't participate, the judge maybe dismisses your appeal.  After the hearing and usually within 20 days, the judge makes the determination in accordance with the original decision or changes the original decision. The decision by this judge can also be revised. 

All agricultural workers who require free legal assistance in any Minnesota or North Dakota county can contact the Agricultural Worker Project (AWP) at 1-800-652-9733 with your question about the process of unemployment benefits security.