What is unemployment insurance?

1. Unemployment insurance is a temporary benefit to help eligible individuals who have lost their jobs, aiming to partially replace lost wages during a period of unemployment.
2. It was designed to help people financially while seeking new work.
3. In Nevada, employers fund unemployment insurance benefits by paying an unemployment tax on the wages they pay to employees.
4. To qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, individuals typically must have lost their job through no fault of their own and must also meet the federal and state requirements.
5. Claimants certify their eligibility on a weekly basis by confirming that they are actively seeking employment and reporting any income earned during that period.

5 things to know before applying for unemployment benefits

1. Able and Available

   To be eligible for weekly unemployment benefits, you must be able and available to seek and accept immediate full time employment within your normal and/or secondary occupation the majority of the week.

2. Vacation/separation pay

   If you lose your job and you receive vacation or separation pay, your benefits may be delayed. Separation pay must be reported at the time of filing.

3. Filing again (Double Dip)

   To be eligible for a claim in a new benefit year, you need to have earned income that is at least three times the weekly benefit amount you received in your previous claim.

4. Working and reportable wages

   It is okay to file a weekly claim if you are working less than 32 hours a week, as long as you report your gross earnings weekly (based on a Sunday – Saturday week). Gross earnings are your pay before taxes and other deductions. You have to report your earnings in the week you worked, not when you get your paycheck.

5. Pension

   In some cases, if you are receiving a pension, it may be considered income for unemployment purposes and may reduce your unemployment benefit payment. Report any pension income you are receiving to ensure you don’t end up with an overpayment.