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Unemployment Insurance

10 Things You Should Know About the UI System When Filing Your Claim

Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements of state law. Each person who collects Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits is legally responsible for making sure he or she follows the rules set by state law. Keep these top ten key facts in mind when you are filing for UI benefits to ensure accurate and quick payment of benefits:

1. Accurately Report Last Employer and the Reason You Are Unemployed. Accurately report your last employer, dates of employment, and the reason for separation from your job when you initially file your claim for benefits. Include any part-time employment or temporary employment with the correct dates of employment.  It is important that you provide the UI office with the precise reason for your separation so that we can best assist you and help you to avoid possible overpayments.  

 

2. Report Any Wages You Are Earning. You must report your gross wages (before your taxes are taken out) for each week you work and certify for benefits, even if you don’t get paid until later. Be sure to accurately report on all earnings during your weekly claim certification – even those from part-time or temporary work. If you collect more UI benefits than you are eligible for because you fail to report earnings, you may be committing fraud and may face serious consequences.

 

3. Don’t Delay – As Soon As You Begin Working, Stop Certifying for Benefits. As soon as you begin working, discontinue certifying for your benefits unless you are working part-time and your gross wages earned are less than your weekly benefit amount.  If you are working part-time and certifying, you must still report all earnings each week they are earned. If you have any questions, you can contact the UI call center at 1-877-664-6984.

When you certify, you are stating that you are able, available, and actively seeking work, so do not wait until you receive your first paycheck to discontinue certifying. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions uses state and national resources to track new hires, so it is in your best interest to stop certifying for benefits immediately to avoid the serious consequences of an improper payment.

 

4. Provide Truthful Information About Your Earnings. Make sure you provide the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions with accurate and truthful information about all weekly earnings and any other income you may have while you are filing a claim, such as from a pension. Providing misleading or inaccurate information to the state may be considered UI Fraud, which is punishable by law.

 

5. Register for work services at www.jobs.state.nm.us. Unless exempt by law, you must register for work services within 14 days with the department to be eligible to collect UI benefits. Registration includes an orientation video which can be watched online or at your local New Mexico Workforce Connection Center. To fulfill the requirement, log on to www.jobs.state.nm.us, complete the “Personal Profile,” and “SAVE.” The orientation video will start immediately. At the conclusion of the video, click “SUBMIT” to complete your work registration requirement. The website, www.jobs.state.nm.us, provides valuable resources that are available for your use, including job referrals, resume building and re-employment services.

 

6. Actively Search for Work. You must search for work each week that you file a claim for benefits. If you do not search for work during a week in which you file a claim, benefits may be denied until you show that you have started looking for work.

 

7. Develop an Effective Work Search Plan. Many Unemployment Insurance claimants do not have an effective plan for searching for work. Local New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers and www.job.state.nm.us are great places to learn about different kinds of jobs, their availability, and how to get training. Contact your local Workforce Connection Center (http://www.dws.state.nm.us/dws-offices.html) or visit www.jobs.state.nm.us for more information and assistance with planning an effective work search.

 

8. Avoid Errors and Ensure Proper Payment of Benefits. To prevent errors in payment of UI benefits that may result in an overpayment, it is important that you read all of the information that is provided to you when you file your claim for benefits. Review the statements received from the Department of Workforce Solutions for accuracy regarding your work history and wages. Improper payment of benefits will cause a delay or denial of future benefits.  

 

9. Follow the Rules to Prevent Yourself from Committing Fraud. Anyone who collects UI benefits is legally responsible for making sure he or she follows the requirements set by state law. Failure to follow the rules can result in serious consequences that will impact you and your family. Consequences for not following UI regulations can include prosecution by government authorities, repaying the benefits with penalties, forfeiting a future income tax refund, and losing future eligibility to collect UI benefits.

 

10. Know Your Responsibilities and Ask for Help. As a recipient of Unemployment Insurance benefits, you have a legal responsibility to know and follow all rules and reporting requirements. Navigating through the UI system can be confusing. If you have a question about your responsibilities or the requirements of receiving benefits, your state UI office is here to help.

For more information, please visit www.dws.state.nm.us or call 1-877-NM4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984)-we’re here to help.