If I am no longer working as a result of COVID-19, can I file for UI benefits?

Yes. The quickest way to file an unemployment insurance claim is through our online service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can file a claim at https://my.alaska.gov/

Will I be required to register for work and actively search for work if my hours have been reduced or I am no longer working as a result of COVID-19?

No, you will not be required to register or search for work. Legislation has been passed to waive this requirement specifically due to COVID-19. If you are instructed to register for work or actively search for work when you file, or if you receive similar instructions in the mail, it is because our system is working as designed under normal circumstances and will continue to do so until the system is updated.

This is my first time filing for unemployment. Do I have to do anything besides complete the application to receive benefits?

Yes. After you complete the application, you will be given a date to file a certification to claim the weeks your hours were reduced or weeks you did not work and continue to do so until you return to full-time work. This is how you request a benefit payment every two weeks.

How will I receive my payment from unemployment if I am eligible?

Alaska law requires UI benefits be paid by electronic funds transfer (Debit Card) or electronic payment to your personal checking or savings account (Direct Deposit.) You can set up direct deposit through myAlaska. If you do not see the direct deposit option please check back once a day until the option is available. Due to changes being made in the system it could take a couple days to show if you have never filed a UI claim before. You will need your 9 digit routing number and your account number. If you do not set up direct deposit you will be mailed a debit card within two weeks after you file a claim.

Do I have to “sever” the relationship with my employer to be eligible for UI benefits?

No. If you are working on-call, part-time, or on a temporary lay-off with your current employer, you have not “severed” the relationship with your employer. You are not required to voluntarily quit your job to be eligible for benefits.

What if my employer has put me on-call or I am working part-time due to COVID-19 and considered to still be employed?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. Working on-call or part-time does not automatically disqualify you from receiving unemployment insurance benefits. You will need to report any hours worked and earnings during each week you file for benefits if you worked that week. It is very important to report hours and earnings if you work to prevent an overpayment of benefits.

If my employer has allowed me to work remotely from home, am I eligible for UI benefits?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. You will need to report any hours worked and earnings during each week you file for benefits if you worked that week. It is very important to report hours and earnings if you work to prevent an overpayment of benefits.

If my employer is paying me while I’m not working, am I eligible for UI benefits?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. You will need to report any hours and earnings paid during each week you file for benefits if your employer is paying you for that week. It is very important to report this paid leave in the week applicable to prevent an overpayment of benefits.

What if I had to take leave because my children are out of school due to closures?

This does not disqualify you from receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

What if I have to take time off work because I have contracted COVID-19?

This does not disqualify you from receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

What is a request to isolate or quarantine?

Instruction from an employer, medical professional or government official to stay home.

What if I am advised to quarantine myself, but I am not sick and am still willing and able to work?

This does not disqualify you from receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

What if I work for a school and am not working due to school closures outside the regularly scheduled spring break dates?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. This does not disqualify you from receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

What if my employer had to reduce staff or close their business due to COVID-19?

If your employer has told you they do not have work for you due to a reduction in their workforce, or closure of business, you are considered to be laid off due to a lack of work and are potentially eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

What if I contracted COVID-19 on the job?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. You may need to contact Workers Compensation if you have questions about your eligibility for Workers Compensation benefits: Alaska Workers Compensation webpage .

How am I supposed to meet deadlines required by the UI program?

Your requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you are asked to contact the UI claim center by a set deadline, you must still do so. If you are required to complete a Reemployment and Services Assessment through a job center, they are currently working on ways to accommodate alternative options, such as telephone and Skype.

What if I work for a school and am not working due to school closures outside the regularly scheduled spring break dates?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed.

Will I have to provide work search contacts while filing for benefits?

This will be determined once you file a claim. You may not have to provide work search contacts depending on your circumstances.

Am I eligible for UI benefits if I was hired for a job and it has been postponed due to COVID-19?

You may be eligible to receive UI benefits if you have enough wage credits in your base period. Anyone who is not working full-time may be eligible to receive UI benefits and can file for an UI claim at any time. You will be notified of your eligibility soon after submitting your application.

Can I refuse an offer of suitable work and still receive my UI benefits?

Anytime someone refuses an offer of suitable work, the reason for the refusal is investigated. If it is determined that there was not good cause for the refusal of suitable work then a six week penalty and a three week reduction of benefits will be applied to your claim. You will also not be eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) should they become available. You will also be required to pay back any UI benefits you may have received incorrectly.

Do I have to “sever” the relationship with my employee for them to be eligible for UI benefits?

No. The UI application requires that the individual provide a reason for separation, which could be working on-call, part-time, laid-off due to lack of work (furloughed workers), voluntary quit or discharge. The employer/employee relationship does not have to be severed for a claim to be valid.

We may have to put employee’s on-call or have them work part-time as a result of COVID-19. Will these employees be eligible for UI benefits?

Working on-call or part-time does not automatically disqualify employees from receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Employees will need to report any hours and earnings during each week they file for benefits if they work. Please instruct these employees to file an unemployment claim. It is very important for employees to report their hours and earnings if they work to prevent an overpayment of benefits.

Will my employees be required to register for work and actively search for work if their hours have been reduced or they are no longer working as a result of COVID-19?

No, your employees will not be required to register or search for work. Legislation has been passed to waive this requirement specifically due to COVID-19. If they are instructed to register for work or actively search for work when they file, or if they receive similar instructions in the mail, it is because our system is working as designed under normal circumstances and will continue to do so until the system is updated.

We have employees working from home. Are they eligible for UI benefits?

Employees working from home will need to report any hours worked and earnings each week they file for benefits if they are working from home. UI benefit payments may be reduced depending on the amount of hours and earnings reported. It is very important for employees to report their hours and earnings if they work to prevent an overpayment of benefits.

What if we need to temporarily close our business due to a possible COVID-19 contamination or quarantine at our worksite?

Please instruct employees affected to file an unemployment claim. Employees will be required to provide the reason they are filing (reason for separation) when they complete the application.

Will our employees be eligible for UI benefits if they are sick or under quarantine as a result of COVID-19?

If the employee is home sick or quarantined they are potentially eligible for benefits. If the employee is hospitalized their claim will need to be reviewed to determine eligibility.

What if we are paying our employees while we are closed?

They may not be eligible for UI benefits if you are paying them. If they file they will need to report all wages paid (including stipends, bonuses, etc.) to them each week they file.

If they are retroactively paid wages they will need to report this for any weeks they were paid. This could result in an overpayment if they did not report the earnings at the time they filed for UI payment for the week(s) in question. It is important they know in advance whether they will be receiving wages for weeks they are not working.

Some employees have asked to be laid-off so they can collect UI benefits since their weekly benefit amount will be so high with the additional $600 payout.

If a claimant is asking to be laid off or have their hours reduced so they may receive UI benefits, this could be determined as fraudulent activity and would be investigated if brought to the department's attention. Quitting work without good cause to obtain additional benefits under the regular UI program or the CARES Act qualifies as fraud. Sections 2104(f) and 2107(e) expressly provide that if an individual has obtained these benefits through fraud, the individual is ineligible for any additional benefit payments, must pay back the benefits, and is subject to criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. §1001. States are expected to enforce these provisions.