This guide will teach you how to file for Illinois extended unemployment benefits. Even though filing for extended unemployment compensation in Illinois is relatively simple, it is very important that you understand the application process and all of the program requirements clearly before beginning. This page will cover the information you need to know how to file for Illinois extended unemployment benefits. The first thing you'll need to do is evaluate whether or not you are eligible for the program. After that, simply gather the needed documentation, and submit your application to receive extended unemployment benefits.

Illinois residents who are currently receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation may qualify to file for Illinois Extended Unemployment Benefits under a law passed in 2009. On November 6, President Obama signed legislation as part of the Worker Assistance Act of 2009 that authorizes a federal extension of unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted their initial unemployment compensation.http://progressillinois.com/2009/11/6/obama-signs-ui-extension

The unemployment compensation extension will add about 73 weeks of additional benefits to the federal initial unemployment benefits. Eligible workers may be able to receive the maximum total of 99 weeks before losing their compensation. EUC adds 53 weeks, while the State Extended Benefits program adds another 20 weeks of available benefits.http://www.ides.state.il.us/pdf/news/99weeks.pdf

A short term extension of the EUC program was signed into law on April 15, 2010, extending benefits until June 2. If your benefits had been interrupted when the program lapsed on April 5, you would have received compensation retroactive to that date.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36576068/ns/politics-capitol_hill/ Another extension of the EUC program was signed by the President on July 23, 2010. This measure allows EUC and State Extended Benefits to be paid through November 30, 2010.http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community&id=7573051 Those who had their benefits interrupted during the program's suspension will receive payment retroactive to the date of expiration. Claimants who have already received the maximum 99 weeks will not be eligible to receive additional benefits under this bill.http://www.ides.state.il.us/pdf/news/99weeks.pdf

Before you can file for extended unemployment compensation in Illinois, you will need to make sure that you currently qualify to receive the extended benefits under the state and federal requirements. Part of your qualifications for additional unemployment benefits will relate to the situation surrounding your most recent job loss.http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-file-for-unemployment-in-illinois To be eligible for unemployment compensation, you must:

1. Have worked for an Illinois employer in four of the last five quarters.
2. Have not been fired for cause (such as misconduct or poor job performance). On the other hand, if you were laid off due to lack of work, you will probably qualify for unemployment compensation.
3. Be able to work and actively seek employment.
4. That you have earned enough wages during your base period to qualify for benefits - To meet this requirement, you will need to have been paid at least $1600 in four of the last five quarters, with at least $440 having been paid to you outside of the your highest paid quarter.http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/faq2.asp

If you meet all of these qualifications, you will most likely qualify to receive unemployment compensation. Along with these requirements for basic unemployment benefits, you will also need to have completely exhausted your current unemployment benefits before you can be considered eligible for extended compensation.

If you are eligible to file for extended benefits, the next step is to gather all of the necessary information that you will need to apply. Note: Some unemployed workers will receive letters of notice from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) stating that they will automatically receive extended benefits.http://www.unemploymentillinois.net/illinois-unemploymentextension.php For those who do not receive such a notice, they will need to reapply.

To submit your application, you will need the following informationhttp://www.mahalo.com/how-to-file-for-unemployment-in-illinois:

1. Your full name as it appears on your Social Security card
2. Your Social Security number
3. The full names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for all individuals you will be claiming as dependents on your tax return
4. the full names and mailing addresses of all of your employers for the last 18 months
5. The start and end dates of your employment, along with the reasons for your job losses for the last 18 months
6. Your United States Alien Registration ID number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
7. If you have worked since the Sunday of the week of you are applying, you will need the amount of your gross wageshttp://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online_claim.asp
8. You will also need to report any wages received in the form of lodging, meals or merchandise
9. A second form of positive identificationhttp://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/faq.asp

Now that you have collected all of the information you will need to file your claim, you can submit your application for extended unemployment benefits. If you have received a letter stating that you will probably qualify for additional benefits, you may be directed to report to your nearest IDES office to determine your continued eligibility.http://www.unemploymentillinois.net/illinois-unemploymentextension.php

If you do not receive this direction, you may need to submit an application for extended benefits. If you like, you can apply online through the IDES website.http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/certify/default.asp You will be directed to create an account secured by a username and password to protect the transmission of your information.

Approximately two weeks after you file your claim online, you will need to certify for your benefits by calling Tele-Serve, an automated system that allows you to claim your benefits over the phone. You can only call on a specific day every two weeks. Your particular day along with the phone number to call will be released to you in an information statement that you will receive in the mail.http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/certify/default.asp

If you prefer to apply in person, you can do so at your local IDES office. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 pm, excluding state holidays. While you cannot file your claim over the telephone, you can call the Extended Benefits Hotline for general questions about extended unemployment compensation.http://www.ides.state.il.us/worknet/default.asp

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please contact a law professional before using the information presented here.