Benefits Are Based On Wages Paid

Unemployment insurance benefits are based on wages paid for insured work in a one-year period called a "base period."  The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters that are prior to the initial claim.

Only wages earned with an employer who is covered by the state Employment Security Law may be counted as base period wages. Generally, employment on construction, in factories, mills, shops, stores, offices, banks, mines, and other places of business employing one or more persons, is covered. The law does not cover some farm labor, some domestic service in private homes, and a few other types of employment.