Georgia Unemployment

Individuals who are considered out of work through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

1.  Sufficient earnings within the base period of a claim to qualify monetarily for benefits;

2.  Must be wholly unemployed or employed less than full-time and have earnings less than their weekly entitlement;

3.  Must be found to be out of work through no fault of their own;

4.  Must be available to seek and accept work customary to their normal occupation;

5.  Must be physically and mentally able to work at the time they initiate a claim for benefits; and,

6.  Must not refuse suitable work when offered.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits is temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are either looking for another job, have definite recall to their jobs within 6 weeks of the last day worked, or are in approved training. The funding for unemployment insurance benefits comes from taxes paid by employers. Workers do not pay any costs. Eligibility for benefits is determined based on past wages, reason for job separation, and availability and job search requirements. Claims for unemployment insurance may be filed at any Georgia Department of Labor Career Center.

When filing a claim, you should bring:

• Your social security number. A claim cannot be filed without a social security number.
• Employer-issued separation letter or notice, if one was provided.
• Names and addresses of all employers for the last 18 months and the dates worked for each.
• Proof of immigration status if not a U.S. citizen.
• Personal check with account number and bank routing number if you want benefits deposited directly into to a checking or savings account.

Claims are effective on the date they are filed and are not retroactive to the last day worked.

Use the GDOL automated telephone system, OLIVoR, to access additional information.

http://www.dol.state.ga.us/js/unemployment_benefits_individuals.htm

http://www.dol.state.ga.us/js/unemployment_benefits_individuals.htm 

• Commissioner's Office              phone:  (404) 232-7300
• Career Center Administration                phone:  (404) 232-3540
• Employment Programs/Services                        phone:  (404) 232-3515
• Agricultural Job Postings (including H2A)                  phone:  (404) 232-3500
• Child Labor Laws and Regulations                phone:  (404) 232-3260
• Federal Bonding Assistance              phone:  (404) 232-3540
• Foreign Labor Certification               phone:  (404) 232-3500
• GoodWorks!                        phone:  (404) 232-3775
• Mass Layoff and Plant Closure Assistance (inc. WARN)                   phone:  (404) 232-3505
• Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Advocate                        phone:  (404) 232-3548
• Trade Act Program (jobs lost to foreign imports)                   phone:  (404) 232-3505
• Veteran Services                  phone:  (404) 232-3530
• Workforce Investment Act (Job Training Programs)              phone:  (404) 232-3775
• WIA Grants and Contracts               phone:  (404) 232-3590
• Youth Work Permits                         phone:  (404) 232-3260
• Human Resources                     phone:  (404) 232-3620
• Rehabilitation Services                         phone:  (404) 232-3910
• TTY:  (404) 232-3911
• Five integrated and interdependent programs that share a primary goal -- to help people with disabilities become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment.            
• Vocational Rehabilitation                   phone:  (404) 486-6331
• Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation (RWSIR)                       phone:  (706) 655-5000
• Business Enterprise Program (visually-impaired vendors)                   phone:  (770) 724-6590
• Georgia Industries for the Blind                     phone:  (229) 248-2666
• Disability Adjudication Services                    phone:  (678) 639-2100
• Unemployment Insurance (UI)              phone:  (404) 232-3990
• Program which provides temporary income to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own (financed by employer unemployment taxes).    
• Appeals to the Board of Review                   phone:  (404) 232-3325
• Appeals to Hearing Officers              phone:  (770) 909-2828
• Electronic Wage Reporting               phone:  (404) 232-3265
• Employer Claim Charges                  phone:  (404) 232-3030
• Employer Tax Liability                      phone:  (404) 232-3301
• Employer Tax Rates                         phone:  (404) 232-3300
• Employer Tax Reports/Filing                         phone:  (404) 232-3220
• General Tax Information                   phone:  (404) 232-3320
• Interstate Claims                   phone:  (404) 232-3090
• New Employer Accounts                  phone:  (404) 232-3301
• Partial Claims Filing for Employers                phone:  (404) 232-3050
• UI Customer Service                        phone:  (404) 232-3001
• UI Policy and Procedures                 phone:  (404) 232-3180
• Tax Administration                phone:  (404) 232-3320
• Labor Market Information                    phone:  (404) 232-3875
• Atlanta Wage and Hour Office                      phone:  (404) 893-4600
• Savannah Wage and Hour Office                  phone:  (912) 652-4221
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)                   phone:  (404) 562-2300
• Regional VETS Staff                         phone:  (404) 656-3127