A Worker’s Guide to
Unemployment Insurance
In Illinois
2012
Advancing justice and opportunity
This guide is intended to provide general information about filing an unemployment insurance claim in
Illinois. If you need more specific advice about your claim, consult an attorney. A list of free attorneys for
those who qualify is listed in Appendix E.
This guide was updated in May 2012. The law may have changed since that date. Changes in the law may
affect your claim. For the most up-to date information, consult an attorney.
The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law provides national leadership in advancing laws and
policies that secure justice to improve the lives and opportunities of people living in poverty.
Acknowledgements
This manual was made possible by the Chicago Foundation for Women; Grand Victoria Foundation; and the
Libra Foundation.
The Shriver Center would also like to thank Tim Huzeinga of the Legal Assistance Foundation of
Metropolitan Chicago (LAF) for his guidance and suggestions on sections of this manual. Any opinions,
errors or omissions are solely those of the Shriver Center and do not reflect those of LAF.
About the Authors
This manual was developed under the direction of Wendy Pollack, Director, Women’s Law and Policy
Project. Written by Kathleen Rubenstein, Jessica Palek and Heidy Robertson.
A Worker’s Guide to Unemployment Insurance in Illinois, by Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
50 E. Washington Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60602 312.263.3830 Fax: 312.263.3846 www.povertylaw.org
CONTENTS
PART I - INTRO ................................................................................................................................... 6
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ................................................................................................................................... 6
WHAT IS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE? ................................................................................................... 7
How does it work? ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
PART II - ELIGIBILITY ...................................................................................................................... 8
ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ................................................................................... 8
What are the eligibility requirements?..................................................................................................................... 8
What does “insured work” mean? .......................................................................................................................... 8
How do I know if I am “available for work”? ...................................................................................................... 8
How do I show that I am “actively looking for work”? ...................................................................................... 9
What if I am not available to work one day of the week? ................................................................................... 9
What do I do if I was fired from my job? .............................................................................................................. 9
QUITTING YOUR JOB ........................................................................................................................................... 10
If I quit my job, can I still get unemployment insurance?................................................................................. 10
MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON “GOOD CAUSE” ..................................................................... 12
What if I’ve voluntarily quit my job because of safety issues concerned with domestic violence? ....... 12
What if I quit my job because of sexual harassment that occurred at my workplace? ............................ 13
What if I have to quit my job for my own health issue or to care for a sick spouse, child, or parent?. 14
LEAVING EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE YOUR SPOUSE’S LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT
CHANGED ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
What if my spouse was hired at a new job out of town, and I have to quit my job? ............................... 15
What happens if I have to quit my job because my spouse was relocated because of his or her
military assignment? ............................................................................................................................................ 16
DISQUALIFICATION.............................................................................................................................................. 16
What does “disqualification” mean? ..................................................................................................................... 16
What happens if I have been disqualified? .......................................................................................................... 17
INTERSTATE AND COMBINED WAGE CLAIMS........................................................................................ 18
MILITARY SERVICE................................................................................................................................................ 19
I just completed my service in the military. Am I qualified for unemployment benefits? ........................... 19
PART III – THE CLAIMS PROCESS ................................................................................................ 20
APPLYING FOR BENEFITS ................................................................................................................................. 20
When should I apply for unemployment benefits? ............................................................................................ 20
Where do I go to apply? ......................................................................................................................................... 20
What information do I need to apply for benefits? ........................................................................................... 21
What happens after I file my claim? ..................................................................................................................... 21
I’VE BEEN APPROVED FOR BENEFITS, NOW WHAT?........................................................................... 22
What am I required to complete in order to receive benefits? ......................................................................... 22
How do I certify for benefits using Tele-Serve? ................................................................................................. 23
What certification questions will they ask me on Tele-Serve? .......................................................................... 23
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay? .................................................................................... 24
PART IV – RECEIVING BENEFITS ................................................................................................ 25
HOW ARE MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DETERMINED?............................................................ 25
What if I didn’t make enough during my base period to be eligible for unemployment insurance? ......... 26
DETERMININING YOUR BENEFIT AMOUNT ........................................................................................... 27
How much will I get? .............................................................................................................................................. 27
BENEFIT PAYMENT INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 28
Are my benefits taxable? ......................................................................................................................................... 28
When and how will I get paid my benefits?......................................................................................................... 28
What if I was paid too much? ................................................................................................................................ 28
What if I was paid too little? .................................................................................................................................. 29
CHILDREN AND NON-WORKING SPOUSES .............................................................................................. 29
What if my spouse is not working? ....................................................................................................................... 29
What if I am in a civil union? ................................................................................................................................. 30
What if I have a dependent child? ......................................................................................................................... 30
How much will I receive for dependent’s allowance?........................................................................................ 30
PART V – WORKING OR GOING TO SCHOOL WHILE RECEIVING BENEFITS .................. 32
PART-TIME WORKERS .......................................................................................................................................... 32
Am I eligible for benefits if I am involuntarily working part-time?................................................................. 32
How much will I receive for “partial benefits”? ................................................................................................. 32
CAN I GO TO SCHOOL AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS? ................................................. 33
What kinds of training are approved by IDES?.................................................................................................. 33
SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSIONS ............................................................................................................... 34
What if I receive Social Security or pension payments? .................................................................................... 34
RETURNING TO WORK ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Can I get help finding a job? .................................................................................................................................. 35
What should I do when I return to work? ........................................................................................................... 35
PARTI VI – CHALLENGED OR DENIED CLAIMS AND APPEALS ........................................... 37
APPEALS PROCESS ................................................................................................................................................. 38
What are my rights if my claim is denied by the IDES Claims Adjudicator? ................................................ 38
How do I file an initial appeal to the IDES Referee? ........................................................................................ 38
What happens at my appeal hearing? ................................................................................................................... 39
What if the referee decides against me after I’ve appealed?.............................................................................. 40
What happens after I’ve appealed to the Board of Review? ............................................................................. 42
PART VII – UI BENEFITS AFTER 25 WEEKS ............................................................................... 43
How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I receive?............................................................................ 43
What if I’ve exhausted my unemployment insurance and need more help? .................................................. 44
APPENDICES..................................................................................................................................... 45
APPENDIX A: INSURED WORK ........................................................................................................................ 45
APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TERMS........................................... 46
APPENDIX C: HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES ............................................................. 48
General Unemployment and Claim Questions:.................................................................................................. 48
To Apply for Unemployment Insurance: ............................................................................................................ 48
To File a Claim or Certify: ..................................................................................................................................... 48
APPENDIX D: IDES OFFICES AND WORKNET CENTERS .................................................................... 49
IDES Offices and WorkNet Center Addresses.................................................................................................. 49
IDES Office Locations and Fax Numbers to send in Appeal Forms ............................................................ 50
APPENDIX E: LEGAL SERVICES....................................................................................................................... 51
APPENDIX F: PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH YOUR BASIC NEEDS ...................................................... 52
Health Care ............................................................................................................................................................... 52
Women, Disabled Individuals and Veterans ....................................................................................................... 53
Childcare ................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Food and Nutrition ................................................................................................................................................. 54
Homeowners ............................................................................................................................................................ 54
Housing ................................................................................................................................................................... 545
Cash Assistance........................................................................................................................................................ 55
APPENDIX G: UI FINDINGS SAMPLE ............................................................................................................ 57
APPENDIX H: WEEKLY BENEFITS AMOUNTS .......................................................................................... 58
APPENDIX I: TELE-SERVE GUIDE.................................................................................................................. 68
PART I - INTRO
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
If you are an Illinois worker who has become unemployed, this guide can provide you with information about
collecting unemployment insurance (UI). This guide will answer most questions about your claim for
unemployment insurance in Illinois and help you avoid problems, delays, or improper payments. It explains
eligibility and the application process, as well as your rights and responsibilities while claiming unemployment
insurance benefits. This document will also help you prepare to be an advocate for yourself. The most
important thing to remember is that even if you’re not sure if you qualify, you should apply. To be your own
best advocate, make sure you keep very good records. This means keeping all documents you get about your
unemployment, including any postmarked envelopes, as well as keeping notes on any conversations you have,
either with the Illinois Department of Economic Security (IDES) or with your former employer. Make sure
that if you submit personal documents, you always keep the original yourself. Keep records of all your job
search contacts, even after you’ve found a new job.
You can read the whole guide, or use the table of contents to search for answers to your specific questions.
You will find additional information at the end of this guide in the Appendices, like helpful phone numbers
and addresses and examples of documents, and if you don’t understand some terms used in the text you can
look them up in the glossary in Appendix B.
At some points in the guide, you’ll find footnotes. These include citations to the Illinois law or regulation that
is being explained in the guide. The law is passed by the Illinois legislature and signed by the governor. The
regulations are written by the Illinois Department of Economic Security to give any extra necessary details for
running the program. The footnotes to the law look like “820 ILCS 405/” because the Unemployment
Insurance statute is in section 405 of Chapter 802 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. If you’d like to read the
law itself, go to http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2434&ChapterID=68, which will have the
most up-to-date version of the law. The regulations are in the Illinois Administrative Code, in Title 56, and
are also available online at http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/056/056parts.html. A few
footnotes are to other handy resources guides.
This guide may not address every issue or concern you may encounter. If you need more specific information
or advice, you should consult a qualified attorney. For a list of free legal services for those who qualify, see
Appendix E.
6
WHAT IS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE?
Unemployment insurance is a nationwide program that can help you partially replace your lost wages while
you search for new work. Unemployment insurance is federally mandated, but the rules in each state vary.
In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) carries out the unemployment
insurance program and decides eligibility, issues benefit payments and makes rules. IDES requires you to
meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for unemployment benefits, including you: being able to work, being
available to work and actively seeking work.
How does it work?
 IDES collects unemployment insurance taxes from employers in the state who are required to pay
these taxes, then returns those dollars to eligible Illinois workers as unemployment insurance
benefits.
Benefits: The payments you receive once every two weeks are known as your
“benefits.” If you are eligible for benefits, you receive them as a matter of right
– this means they are not charity, welfare or based on your need.
1
2

Unemployment Insurance guarantees that you have some income while you are looking for a job. If
you qualify for regular benefits and your benefit year begins in 2012, you can receive up to a
maximum of 25 weeks in a one-year period, unless you qualify for additional federal benefit
extensions (See page 43 for more information).1 2

If you qualify for unemployment insurance, you will receive benefits based on insured work (See
below).

Benefits are paid for calendar weeks of unemployment. A calendar week begins on Sunday and
ends on Saturday. Benefits are paid after the end of the week.

Weekly benefit amounts and the total amount of benefits for a benefit year depend on the amount of
wages for insured work paid to you during a base period (See page 25).
820 ILCS 405/607
820 ILCS 405/403
7
PART II - ELIGIBILITY
ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
What are the eligibility requirements?
 Eligibility is determined on a weekly basis, even though you certify bi-weekly, or once every two
weeks. To receive payment for a week, you must meet the following conditions:3
1. You were unemployed during that week.
2. You were paid $1,600 or more in wages during your base period for insured work.
3. You were paid at least $440 of your base period wages during each of two quarters during
the base period.
4. During the week you were able to work, available to work, and actively looking for
work. (See page 8-9). You don’t have to be available to work or actively looking for work
every single day.
5. You were registered to work with IDES.
o You can register at a local IDES office, or you can register at
http://www.illinoisskillsmatch.com/.
6. You filed your claim for the week as scheduled using the Tele-Serve system, online or as
otherwise directed by your local IDES office.
7. You served one “waiting week.”4
o A “waiting week” is a qualifying period required by law. Benefits are not paid to you
for this week. It is usually the first week for which you file your claim. To get credit
for this week, you must meet all requirements listed above and not be subject to
“disqualification.”
What does “insured work” mean?
 Insured work is work performed for an employer that is required to make payments to the state
under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.5 Most jobs are covered, but a few occupations are
exempt.

There are some types of work that may NOT be insured in Illinois. There are also other types of
work that are insured for some employers but not insured for others. You cannot receive benefits
based on wages you received for uninsured work. Look in Appendix A for examples of
uninsured work.
How do I know if I am “available for work”?
 According to IDES, you are available to work if NONE of the following apply to you:6
1. The wages, hours, work conditions, location of work or duration of commute you insist on
are unreasonable and limit the chances of you getting a job.
2. You are sick and cannot work any day.
3. You are away on vacation.
4. You must stay at home to keep house or care for your family.
820 ILCS 405/500
820 ILCS 405/702
5 820 ILCS 405/236
6 56 ILL. Admin. Code 2865.110
3
4
8
5. You have retired and will not accept a suitable job.
6. After losing your last job, you move to and stay in a community where your chances of
getting a job are definitely not as good as those in the community you left.
7. In general, you must be available to work full-time, however there are exceptions. Reasons
you could seek only part-time work include something beyond your control like a health
problem prevents you from working full-time or the kind of work you are reasonably
looking for is only available part-time.7 If you’re looking for full- and part-time jobs, that’s
good enough to be “available for work” even if you eventually accept a part-time job. If you
tell IDES you are only looking for part-time work and you don’t fall under one of those
exceptions, you won’t be eligible for UI.
8. Your main occupation is that of a student in attendance at or on vacation from school.
However, you may be eligible for benefits if you are attending an approved training course
to help you get a job under certain circumstances. Ask an IDES representative in the local
IDES office for more information. (See also page 33).
NOTE: Even if you are not sure if you meet the availability for work rules, or any
other eligibility criteria, apply anyway. You can still be eligible for UI benefits even if
you are not available 1 or more days a week. Your benefit payment for that week will
be reduced by 1/5 of your weekly benefit for each day missed.
How do I show that I am “actively looking for work”?
 You need to be conducting a thorough, active, and reasonable search for appropriate work. To show
you are actively looking for work you must regularly tell IDES:
1. What you are doing to find work. The quality and number of job contacts you make matters.
2. The kind of work you have been seeking. It needs to be realistic for you, given your skills
and abilities, and what work is available.
3. Your chances of being hired.
IMPORTANT: Keep a regular record of when and where you applied for work. When you
apply for benefits, you will be given a form to keep track of this information. DO NOT throw
away your written work search record for any week. You need to keep this work search form
in case the agency asks to look at it later. This document must be produced if requested by the
agency because a determination that you were actively seeking work during a week being claimed
is subject to “reconsideration.” This can happen even if you have already been paid the benefits
or even returned to work since then.
What if I am not available to work one day of the week?
 If you are sick or otherwise unable to work one day of the week, your benefit payment for that week
will be reduced by 1/5 of your weekly benefit for each day missed.

If you are unable to work for five days in a week, you will not receive any benefits for that week. If
you become ill for an indefinite period, tell your local IDES office as soon as you are able to work.
What do I do if I was fired from my job?
 If you were fired from your job you may be able to receive unemployment benefits. If you were
terminated for "misconduct," you are not able to receive benefits. You are guilty of misconduct
7
56 ILL. Admin. Code 2865.125
9
when you purposely break an employer's fair rule that harms the employer, or if you repeatedly break
such a rule after being warned.
EXAMPLE: You can be denied unemployment benefits if you consistently arrive late for
work and are warned about it, because this is intentional, and it harms the employer. But, if
you unintentionally do something wrong or break a rule at work, like accidentally damaging
equipment or forgetting a safety rule, you can still receive unemployment insurance benefits.

There is no sure way to keep from being terminated, or from having the employer claim that you
committed misconduct. In fact, it is common for employers to say they terminated you because of
misconduct, in order to avoid paying your benefits. If your former employer claims you were
terminated because of misconduct, which would disqualify you from getting UI, IDES will
investigate. If you are denied benefits, you’ll have an opportunity to explain why you should be
eligible. (See Challenged and Denied Claims on page 36).

You can request a copy of your personnel file either while you are an employee, or within a year after
you leave a job.8 See the following sample letter. Your employer has 7 days after your written request
to give you an opportunity to inspect your file. If you’d like a copy, your employer may ask you to
pay the cost of copying.
SAMPLE: Here is a sample letter to help you write a request for a copy of your personnel file. Getting a
copy of your personnel file will allow you to see your employer’s documented reason for your discharge.
Dear [Human Resources officer]:
I write to ask for a copy of my complete personnel file. I understand that, pursuant to
the Illinois Personnel Records Review Act, I am entitled to a copy within the next seven working
days. I will pay copy costs. I will pick up my file on [choose a date after seven days that is
convenient].Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
QUITTING YOUR JOB
If I quit my job, can I still get unemployment insurance?
 Usually, if you choose to leave or quit your job, you can only get unemployment benefits if you left
for "good cause." This means that you:
1. Have a very good reason for leaving that is serious enough to make a reasonable person in
the same situation leave the job.9
2. Made a reasonable effort to resolve the problem, if possible.10

If you quit your job and have good cause, this means you will not be disqualified from receiving UI
benefits. However, you still have to meet all the other eligibility criteria, like being able to work,
available for work, and actively seeking work, and have sufficient earnings during your base period.
Under the Illinois Personnel Records Review Act 820 ILCS 40/
820 ILCS 405/601
10 67 ILL. Admin. Code 2840.101
8
9
10

There may be a period of time after you quit your job when you aren’t able to work, so you aren’t
eligible for UI. But as soon as you are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work, you
should apply if you quit for one of the “good cause” reasons below.
EXAMPLE: You have a serious car accident and quit your job because you can’t work. A few
months later, you have recovered and are ready to look for a new job. You should apply for UI
as soon as you recover.

You can still get unemployment benefits if you leave your job for “good cause,” such as:
1. Your own health problem causes you to be unable to work
2. You need to take care of a sick spouse, child or parent because your employer is not able to
accommodate your caregiving needs
IMPORTANT: In order to verify that you voluntarily left your job for the above two
reasons, you must be able to provide a doctor’s note to IDES.
3. Your employer wants to transfer you to another job under a union contract and it would
result in another employee losing his or her job
4. Your or your spouse’s employment changed location and it would be impractical to
commute
5. You are concerned about your or your family member’s safety due to domestic violence (See
page 12)
6. You are experiencing sexual harassment on the job (See page 13)
7. Your employer changed your working conditions in a way that makes the job unbearable (i.e.
stress, physically unable)
8. Your boss breaks a law which affects you (for example: not paying you minimum wage)
9. Your employer makes a big cut in your hours, benefits, or pay rates. What counts as “big” is
determined on a case by case basis, and the less your earnings are, the smaller the change has
to be to count as “big.” If your wages are cut from $10 an hour down to $8.25, and you still
have a lengthy or expensive commute, you could make a very strong argument that this was
a big cut. A change of 30% is almost certainly considered to be a big change
10. Your boss changes work shifts, causing child care or transportation problems
IMPORTANT: Before quitting, you must make reasonable attempts to resolve the problem with
your employer. It is best to keep records of this by bringing a coworker along when you talk to your
boss, or sending a letter to your boss that states the problem and asks that the boss find a solution.
Your letter should be as specific as possible. It should have the date on it and explain the problem in
detail. But there’s no need to go into detail beyond the problem causing you to quit. If possible, have
this letter reviewed by an attorney. See the relevant section on “good cause” below.

Good Cause does NOT include:
1. Lack of day care (unless caused by your boss in some way, like changing your hours or
getting rid of on-site child care)
2. You don't have transportation to work
3. Stress caused by the job, unless the employer made big changes to your work conditions
4. You didn't get a raise or promotion that was promised to you
5. You are not getting along with a co-worker
6. A small decrease in your hours, benefits, or pay rate. Again, what is considered a “small” cut
is generally decided on a case by case basis
11
MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON “GOOD CAUSE”
What if I’ve voluntarily quit my job because of safety issues concerned with domestic violence?
 If you’ve quit your job due to domestic violence issues which make you believe that your continued
employment would jeopardize your safety or the safety of your spouse, children or parents, you may
be eligible for unemployment compensation.11

If domestic violence (or sexual violence) caused a health problem for you or your family that has
made you quit your job, you probably have good cause to quit under the “Illness or Caregiving
Responsibilities” rule (See page 14).
Domestic Violence includes any of these related to you or your spouse, parent, or minor child:12
1. Physical abuse, including sexual abuse, which involves someone knowingly or recklessly
using physical force, confinement or restraint against you, or knowingly causing you repeated
and unnecessary sleep deprivation, or otherwise reckless conduct which causes you an
immediate risk of physical harm
2. Intimidation of a dependent, which means the subjection of a person who is dependent due
to age, health or disability to participation in or the witnessing of the above
3. Harassment which causes you emotional distress, including creating a disturbance at or
repeatedly telephoning your place of employment or school; repeatedly following you about
in a public place or places; repeatedly keeping you under surveillance or peering in your
windows; actual or attempted concealing, removal or threat to remove a minor from your
care, unless in the case of fleeing domestic violence; or threatening you with physical force,
confinement or restraint on one or more occasions
4. Interference with your personal liberty, or someone’s conduct which causes you to act in a
way in which you have a right not to act, or which causes you to refrain from acting in a way
in which you have the right to act
5. Someone willfully depriving you of your medical care, shelter, accessible shelter or services,
food, therapeutic device or other physical assistance, so as to expose you to the risk of
physical, mental or emotional harm

Examples of domestic violence in which you would qualify for unemployment insurance include, but
are not limited to, situations such as the following:13
EXAMPLE: Your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend periodically waits outside your job site and
threatens you when you arrive and leave work. Fearing for your safety, you stop coming to
work, but inform the employing unit or your boss of your reason for leaving. When applying
for unemployment benefits, you provide IDES with a copy of a letter signed by your service
provider, indicating that you are receiving domestic violence services.
EXAMPLE: You work nights and live with your 17-year-old child. Your child's exboyfriend/ girlfriend has been harassing your child, repeatedly following the child in public
and making threatening telephone calls to your child at your home at night. Fearing for the
child's safety, you quit your job to be home at night with your child. You inform your
820 ILCS 405/601(6)
See 750 ILCS 60/103(3)
1356 ILL Admin. Code 2840.101
11
12
12
employer of your reason for quitting and provide IDES with a copy of the police report
regarding the threatening calls.

In order to be eligible under these circumstances, you must tell employer your reason for leaving.
Keep a record of the conversation. You don’t have to give any proof of the domestic violence (or
sexual violence) to your employer, because your employer could be notified through your claim for
benefits. However, you MUST provide one of the following types of proof to IDES:
1. An order of protection, civil no contact order, or other document issued by a court;
2. A police report or criminal charges documenting the domestic violence; or
3. A letter verifying domestic violence from a domestic violence shelter worker, counselor,
social worker, health care worker, attorney, or member of the clergy.
NOTE: In order to verify domestic violence, you must provide “acceptable proof” to IDES, but
your confidentiality is protected. By law, IDES is prohibited from disclosing this information unless
you explicitly give consent for disclosure.

If you DO NOT provide documentation of domestic violence to IDES, you will NOT be eligible
for unemployment insurance. Consider the following example:14
EXAMPLE: Your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend periodically waits outside your job site and
threatens you when you arrive and leave work. Fearing for your safety, you stop coming to
work. You inform your employer of your reason for leaving, but you fail to provide IDES
with any of the evidence that is “acceptable proof” of domestic violence. Although you are a
victim of domestic violence, you did not provide “evidence” that this has occurred (e.g.
police report, letter from case worker at a domestic violence shelter, order of protection,
etc.). IDES will not know you have “good cause” to quit and you will be disqualified from
UI.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: If you haven’t quit your job yet, you have rights at work as a survivor of domestic or sexual
violence. If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence including stalking, or you need to help a family or household
member who is a victim, and your employer has 15 or more employees, you are entitled to certain workplace protections
under another law. The Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) requires your employer to let you
take time off to deal with the problems you are having because of violence, and requires your employer to help keep you
safe at work with reasonable accommodations. You can take time off for things like finding a new place to live, going to a
court date, getting treatment for yourself or a family member, or recovering from the violence. This leave is unpaid, when you
return you have the right to your previous position or an equivalent position. You can usually take up to 8 or 12 weeks off,
and you don’t have to take it all at once; you can take time off as you need it. Also, under VESSA and the Illinois Human
Rights Act, your employer cannot discriminate against you because you are a victim or survivor of domestic or
sexual violence, or because you are protected by an order of protection. To learn more about VESSA and the Illinois
Human Rights Act, and how they can help you, go to www.povertylaw.org/vessamanual. You may be able to receive free
legal services for these types of cases. See Appendix E for legal services information.
What if I quit my job because of sexual harassment that occurred at my workplace?
 If you were sexually harassed at your workplace, and you left voluntarily because of the harassment,
you may be able to receive unemployment benefits.15
14
15
56 ILL Admin. Code 2840.101(d)(7)
820 ILCS 405/601(B)(4)
13
Sexual harassment includes:16
1. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact or
other behavior or communication which is made a term or condition of your employment;
2. As an employee, your submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication which is the
basis for decisions affecting your employment; or
3. When such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with your work
performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment and the
employer knows or should know of the existence of the harassment and fails to take timely and
appropriate actions to correct the problem.
IMPORTANT: You must tell your employer about the sexual harassment before you quit your job. Have
some proof that you told your supervisor, or that person’s supervisor. You could choose to bring someone
along with you when you talk to your boss, or write a letter and keep a copy. Your employer must know
this is the sole reason you are leaving your job. If your boss is your harasser, you do not need to tell them,
and if there is no one else to tell (for instance because they are the owner), you do not need to tell anyone
at work.
Here is an example of a sexual harassment situation where you would qualify for unemployment benefits:17
EXAMPLE: An individual complains to his/her supervisor about persistent sexual advances by a
coworker. The supervisor takes no further action believing the individual can take care of
himself/herself. The advances continue, and were the sole reason the individual eventually quit
his/her job. The individual is not subject to disqualification of benefits because his/her case will fall
within “good cause” exception since the employer knew of the harassment and failed to take any
action.
What if I have to quit my job for my own health issue or to care for a sick spouse, child, or parent?
 If you’ve left your job voluntarily because you were physically unable to work (for any reason; it does
not have to be due to a work-related injury), and you have a note stating this from your doctor, you
may be eligible for unemployment benefits. If you quit your job to take care of your spouse, child or
parent because of their physical or mental health condition, including health issues that arose as a
result of domestic or sexual violence, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

These reasons are “good cause” that allow you to quit your job without being disqualified from
getting UI. However, to receive UI, you must meet all the normal eligibility criteria. For instance you
must be available to work, able to work, and actively seeking work and your requirements on a future
job must be reasonable. Usually, recipients of UI need to be available to work full-time, unless there
is a reason beyond their control that they can’t work full-time.

To be eligible, you must have a doctor’s note verifying your illness from a certified, practicing
physician. If you are the caretaker of your spouse, child or parent, you will need verification from a
practicing physician that states they are unable to care for themselves and they need supervision.18
820 ILCS 405/601(B)(4).
56 Ill. Admin. Code 2840.101(d)(4)
18 820 ILCS 405/601(B)(1)
16
17
14
Below are two examples of this situation where you may qualify for unemployment benefits:19
EXAMPLE: You’re employed as a full time bank teller. Your spouse develops a serious medical
condition that requires constant supervision. A friend can watch your spouse each morning. You ask
your supervisor if you can work mornings only so that you can be home to watch your spouse during
the afternoon. Your employer indicates that they are unable to switch you to part time hours. This
constitutes good cause, so if you leave your job voluntarily, you will not be disqualified from getting
UI benefits. If you find extra help and are again able to work full time, you will qualify for UI if you
meet the other requirements. If you are only willing to look for a part-time position, then IDES will
decide if you can only work part time because of a reason beyond your control, and whether there
are part time jobs available that you could take. Remember, if you are looking for both full-and parttime jobs, that’s enough to be “actively searching for work” even if you accept a part-time job.
EXAMPLE: You work the third shift at your job. Your child becomes ill and needs 24-hour
assistance. You are only able to obtain county services to care for your child during the day, but the
only option for nighttime care is prohibitively expensive. Your employer indicates that they are
unable to move you to the first shift. This is good cause, so you will not be disqualified from
receiving UI if you leave work to care for your child. And because you are available to work the day
shift full time, and this is not an unreasonable requirement on your future work, you will be eligible if
you meet the other UI requirements.
LEAVING EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE YOUR SPOUSE’S LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT
CHANGED
What if my spouse was hired at a new job out of town, and I have to quit my job?
 If your spouse’s employment changed to a different location and it is impractical for you to commute
to work, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit your job.20 If it is not impractical,
but you just don’t like to commute, you are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Remember you
must still meet all other requirements for unemployment benefits.
Below are some examples of this distinction:21
EXAMPLE: You live and work in Chicago with your spouse. Your spouse accepts a new
job in Los Angeles, CA, and you both agree that you will move to Los Angeles together.
You leave your job when it is time to move to Los Angeles. You are not disqualified for
unemployment benefits for leaving your job because it would be impractical for you to
commute from Los Angeles to your job in Chicago. You would file your unemployment
insurance claim in Illinois because that is where your wages were earned, even though you
now live in California. You would file your claim online through the IDES website or by
phone using Tele-Serve.
EXAMPLE: Your drive to work from Lincoln to Bloomington took about 45 minutes. You
moved to Decatur when your spouse was transferred to that city. You quit your job to look
for work in Decatur, although there is no reason that you could not have continued driving
to work in Bloomington as the drive to Bloomington would only have been 15 minutes
longer from Decatur. You would NOT qualify for unemployment benefits in this case,
because commuting from Decatur to Bloomington would not be impractical.
56 Ill. Admin. Code 2840.101(d)(1)
820 ILCS 405/601(B)(7)
21 56 Ill. Admin. Code 2840.101(d)(8)
19
20
15
EXAMPLE: Your commute to work within the City of Chicago by bicycle took about 45
minutes. You and your spouse move to Skokie, a Chicago suburb, when your spouse is
transferred to Buffalo Grove, another Chicago suburb. While your commute time by car
would still be about 45 minutes, you refuse to use a car even though one is available to you
because you don’t like to drive. You would NOT qualify for unemployment benefits in this
case if you quit your job, because commuting would not be impractical. Bicycling is your
personal preference.
What happens if I have to quit my job because my spouse was relocated because of his or her
military assignment?
 If you have to quit your job because of your spouses’ military reassignment, you may be eligible for
unemployment insurance benefits. In order to qualify, you must be relocated to an area where it is
too far for you to commute to work.22
DISQUALIFICATION
What does “disqualification” mean?
 Your claim can be denied if you are disqualified for benefits. Disqualification means that even though
you met the other eligibility requirements, such as the wage requirements, you are unable to receive
benefits because one of the following is true:23
1. You were discharged for misconduct having to do with your work. This is the most
common reason employers use to challenge eligibility, but “misconduct” has a specific,
narrow definition under the law which may not apply to you (see page 9).
2. You quit your job without good cause.
o You have good cause if you quit for one of the following reasons: health, sexual
harassment, domestic violence, unsuitable work, you accepted another job, you
chose not to exercise bumping privileges, or you needed to move with a spouse and
could not commute to your old job (see pages 12-16).
3. You did not, without good cause, apply for or accept a suitable job offered to you.24 A job is
NOT suitable if:
o The job is open because of a labor dispute;
o The wages, hours, or other working conditions are not as good as those of the same
job in the same community;
o Your safety, health, or morals may be endangered;
o You would have to resign from or be prevented from joining a union to get or keep
a job; and/or
o You would displace another worker under a collective bargaining agreement and
cause that person to be laid off.
4. You were discharged because you committed a felony or theft in connection with your work.
You may be denied all benefits based on wages paid you up to the date of your discharge.
820 ILCS 405/601(B)(7)
820 ILCS 405/601-614
24 820 ILCS 405/603
22
23
16
5. You are unemployed because you participated in, or had a financial interest in a labor dispute
which caused your work to stop at your place of employment. The adjudicator will make a
separate finding about whether or not the labor dispute makes you ineligible, and you can
separately appeal this finding.25 If you lost your job because a different group of workers
were striking, or because of an employer lockout, you should still be entitled to
unemployment insurance, even if you choose not to cross the picket line.
6. You are receiving unemployment benefits from another state, for the same week for which
you claim Illinois benefits.
7. You received back pay or vacation pay from your former employer.
8. You are receiving workers’ compensation (for the same week in which you claim
unemployment benefits) for a temporary or total disability equal to or more than the
unemployment insurance benefits you could draw for the week. If the amount is less than
the benefits, you may be paid the difference.
9. You have exhausted all the benefits to which you are entitled, and you can’t get more
benefits until you have worked enough to establish eligibility all over again.
10. You will be paid or have received a retirement pension or other similar periodic payment
(including Social Security) for the week for which you claim benefits in an amount which
disqualifies you from receiving UI (see page 34 for more information).
11. Your claim is based on wages that were earned while you worked for an educational
institution as a teacher, researcher, or administrator and you are between academic terms or
on vacation or a holiday recess and you have reasonable assurance of retuning the following
term.
12. You are a professional athlete and you are between sport seasons and there is reasonable
assurance you will return to athletic services.
13. You were an undocumented immigrant or were not entitled to work here legally when you
earned the wages, so those wages cannot qualify you for UI. If you are a permanent resident
or in the US under color of law (like a refugee, asylee, or temporary guest worker) you can
qualify for UI.26 (Note that you must be legally authorized to work at the time you are
claiming UI, so that you’re “available” for work).
What happens if I have been disqualified?
 If you are disqualified for any reason, you will be denied benefits. If any of the first three
disqualifications in the list above apply to you, you will not be eligible for future benefits until
you find another job and earn an amount equal to or more than your weekly benefit amount in each
of four calendar weeks, and then lose that job for a reason which is considered qualified under the UI
law (There are some types of work that cannot be used to re-qualify).

25
26
If your disqualification reason is not one of the first three, then go ahead and apply as soon as the
disqualifying reason is no longer the case. For instance, if you weren’t eligible because you were on
strike, and then the employer closed the whole business and laid everyone off, then you can apply.
820 ILCS 405/604
56 ILL Admin. Code 2905.1
17
Or if you were a teacher or athlete on a summer break, but then you were laid off over the summer,
you can apply.
INTERSTATE AND COMBINED WAGE CLAIMS

It is possible that you may have earned wages in Illinois but moved out of state before filing an
unemployment insurance claim. Because workers sometimes move from one state to another, all
states work with each other on claims filed by people who moved to another state, or who would
have to travel unreasonable distances to file claims in states where they normally work.

If you earned wages in one state, but live in another state, you can file an Interstate Claim. This type of
claim allows you to file for UI directly to the state in which you earned wages, which is called the
liable state. The liable state is responsible for determining your eligibility and benefits amount, and
for paying your benefits. Here’s an example of an interstate claim situation:
EXAMPLE: You worked as a store clerk for the last two years in Illinois. When your company
downsized, you were laid off. You heard of an enticing job prospect in another state, Arizona,
where you also happen to have family, so you decide to move there. When your job prospect
doesn’t work out, you decide to file a claim for unemployment insurance. Since your last four out
of five calendar quarters of wages were earned in Illinois, you file your claim in Illinois even
though you are currently living in Arizona. Illinois (the liable state) determines if you are eligible
and how much your benefits will be. Because your former employer paid unemployment
insurance taxes into the Illinois Unemployment Trust Fund, Illinois is responsible for paying out
benefits to you during your unemployment, even though you do not reside in Illinois any longer.

There are two ways to file an interstate claim in Illinois. You can file:
1. Online. Go to http://www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?item=2572. You will first need to
register for a username and password with IDES, and then follow the instructions online to
file an interstate claim.; OR
2. By phone. If you live outside of Illinois, call 1-800-344-5573 to file using IDES’ telephone
response system Tele-Serve. This 800 number is not available to claimants living in Illinois.
After you file a claim, you will be mailed a brochure with more information.
NOTE: Although phone filing is available, IDES encourages claimants to file via the internet when possible.


If you earned wages in more than one state, you can choose to:
1.
File a claim in the state which will pay you the highest benefits based solely on your earnings
in that state; OR
2.
File a Combined Wage Claim. This type of claim means that you are using all of the wages
earned from all states during your base period to determine your eligibility for UI and your
benefit amount. Ask the person processing your claim for more information.
Once you have established your UI claim, you must continue to meet eligibility requirements in order
to continue receiving UI benefits, including being able to work, available for work, and searching for
work.
18
MILITARY SERVICE
I just completed my service in the military. Am I qualified for unemployment benefits?
 To qualify, you must have been discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable
conditions and, if an officer, you must not have resigned for the good of the service.27
To file for an unemployment insurance claim, go to your local IDES office. Bring all of the following
items:
1. “Copy Four” of your DD Form 214;
2. Social Security Card; and
3. Record of all civilian employment, if any, during the last two years.

27
Your benefit amount will depend on your military wages, specifically your pay grade at the time of
separation from active duty, and any other income you had during your service.
820 ILCS 405/406
19
PART III – THE CLAIMS PROCESS
APPLYING FOR BENEFITS
When should I apply for unemployment benefits?
 Whenever you quit, leave or are fired from a job. For almost everyone, it’s best to apply
immediately after you leave your job, since benefits are paid from the date you turn in your application.

If you left your job because you were temporarily unable to work at all, you won’t be eligible for UI.
But if your situation changes and you are able to work again, you may be eligible and you should
apply right away.

There are some rare instances where waiting to file could make sense. If your income went up and
down a lot in the last 18 months, and if it’s very close to the beginning of a new benefit quarter
(January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1), you may want to talk to an attorney who is knowledgeable
about UI law to carefully figure out if waiting until the next quarter would increase your weekly
benefit amount. By applying in that new quarter, you shift your base period forward a quarter as well,
which could raise OR LOWER your weekly benefit amount. But remember, even if your benefits
would be higher if you wait to apply, it means going without benefits while you wait, and if you find
another job soon, then you would have gotten more benefits if you’d started getting benefits right
away. That’s why, for most people, filing right away makes the most sense.
1. The possibility of a higher weekly benefit amount should be weighed against the downside
of applying later and delaying your benefits. This is especially true if you expect to be
working again in the very near future or if you need your UI benefits right away.
NOTE: Apply even if you think you might not get unemployment benefits. You should
apply no matter what the reason was that you left - even if you got fired, left
voluntarily, worked for only a short time or were laid off.
Where do I go to apply?
 There is more than one way to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. You can:
1. Apply by phone using Tele-Serve. Call 800-344-5573. (See also Appendix I)
2. Apply online at www.ides.state.il.us.
3. Apply at any local IDES office throughout the state (See Appendix D for a list of office
locations). You should expect to wait in line.
NOTE: If your earnings have been very low or inconsistent over the last year and a half, you should
apply in person. This is because IDES may not yet have records of your most recent earnings. If you
bring your records in to an office with you, you will be more likely to get your benefits calculated
correctly the first time.
20

Remember the following to make your application process smoother:
1. Always provide your name, address, and social security number whenever you write to your
local IDES staff.
2. Report to your appointment at your assigned time. Appointments are spread out over the
week to make sure you receive services with as little delay as possible.
What information do I need to apply for benefits?
 In order to apply, you will need to supply all of the following information to IDES:28
1. Your Social Security number.
2. The names and addresses of past employers for the last 2 years and the dates you started and
stopped working for each.
3. Records showing wages earned, including dismissal wages and vacation pay (such as pay
stubs, W-2’s).
4. Records of any pension or retirement payments you are receiving, including Social Security.
5. Proof of any odd-job or part-time earnings you have had in the last 18 months.
6. Your spouse’s employment status and Social Security number.
7. Names and birth dates of your children under 18 (including step-children and adopted
children), disabled children regardless of age, and any child of whom you have court-ordered
custody (copy of court order).
IMPORTANT: If, within the past two years, you worked (1) in a state other than Illinois, (2) for a
railroad, (3) for the federal government, or (4) if you served in the armed forces, be sure to tell the
person processing your claim.
What happens after I file my claim?
 IDES prepares and sends you a statement called a “UI Findings” (also referred to as a “UI Claimant
Wage Information Sheet”) (See Appendix G for a sample)29. This will be mailed to you in the next 710 days after you file your initial claim.30 The finding shows:
1. The wages you were paid by each employer in each calendar quarter of your base
period (see page 25) for insured work and the total wages paid to you during your
base period.
2. The ending date of your benefit year.
3. Your weekly benefit amount (See page 27).
4. Your maximum amount of benefits.
5. The day you must call once every two weeks to certify for benefits.
6. You will be informed that you must actively look for work and must maintain your
work search efforts on a form provided by the agency. This document must be
produced if requested by IDES.

If the finding is correct, keep it. If it is not, report the mistake immediately to IDES. One common
reason wages may be missing from your finding is that your base period employer failed to report
your wages accurately. You can still prove that you earned these wages and get the benefits you are
entitled to. To show proof of wages paid during your base period, you can use W-2 statements, check
IDES, “Unemployment Insurance Benefit Handbook.”
820 ILCS 405/701
30 IDES, “I Filed My Claim, What Happens Now?”
28
29
21
stubs, cancelled checks from your bank, etc. If you were paid in cash, you can write a letter to IDES
that says how much you earned and sign it to be true. Also provide any other proof you can that
shows that you worked at that employer, such as an ID tag, uniform, copy of work schedule, any
work email address or access codes. You also have 30 days to appeal the finding if you cannot prove
your wages adequately to IDES. See page 38 for more information on the appeals process.

You may be required to complete a phone interview before you are approved for unemployment
benefits. If this is the case, you will receive a letter in the mail with the date and time of your phone
interview.

Once you file a claim for unemployment insurance you cannot withdraw the claim, even if a claim
with a later effective date would result in a higher weekly benefit amount.
IMPORTANT: Some employers fail to report all of their employees’ earnings, even
though they are required to do so by law. If your employer does not report all of your
earnings, IDES may think you did not receive enough wages to qualify for benefits or you
may get less than you are due because your benefit amount is a percentage of your reported
wages. If the findings IDES sends you are wrong, appeal the findings.
I’VE BEEN APPROVED FOR BENEFITS, NOW WHAT?

Now that you have been approved for benefits, you must serve an unpaid “waiting week,” even
though you are otherwise eligible for payment. Then you are responsible to certify your benefits biweekly (once every two weeks) on your assigned call day by answering a list of questions to ensure
your eligibility.31
What am I required to complete in order to receive benefits?
 You must “certify” your benefits bi-weekly, or once every two weeks.

There are two ways to certify for benefits. You can certify:
1. By telephone using “Tele-Serve”, a touch tone telephone response system. (See more
information below); OR
2. Online by going to http://www.ides.illinois.gov, clicking on “unemployment insurance” and
then “certify online”. You will need to register for a username and password. Make sure to
save your username and password because you will need it each time you certify online.

Everyone must certify by phone or online unless you request to certify by mail. IDES only allows
you to certify by mail in special circumstances.32 You can certify by mail only if:
1. You speak neither English nor Spanish,
2. You are hearing impaired, OR
3. You have no reasonable access to a phone.
31
32
IDES, “I Filed My Claim, What Happens Now?”
56 ILL. Admin. Code 2720,112(c)
22

You cannot receive benefits for the week until you have certified for that week by telephone, online
or by mail (in special circumstances), as directed, and have met all the eligibility requirements during
that week. If you do not certify, you do not receive benefits.

You should receive a benefit payment by direct deposit or debit card 3 days after you certify on your
assigned day. Each payment will be two weeks of benefits.
How do I certify for benefits using Tele-Serve?
 When you file your claim for unemployment insurance, you should receive a booklet in the mail that
explains how to use Tele-Serve. You can also look at Appendix I for the IDES Tele-Serve Manual.

Your UI Findings letter will inform you of your assigned call-in day. You must always call to certify
only on your specific call-in day. If you do not receive this information within two weeks from the
date you filed your claim, contact your local IDES office.

The first time you call, you will create a personal identification number (PIN). SAVE YOUR PIN.
You will need it every time you call.

To certify using Tele-Serve, you need all of the following information:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Your Social Security number and PIN.
Any gross wages you earned or holiday pay received during the certification period.
Your latest “Statement of Certification,” if applicable.
Paper and pencil to record information during your call.
NOTE: Tele-Serve also is a way to get answers to your questions about certification and your benefits.
It also allows you to re-open your claim in some cases. It tells you the status of your current claim and
tells you the date that your last benefit payment was processed. Tele-Serve also gives you general
information about IDES services and the location of IDES offices. Finally, Tele-Serve allows you to
request information on the total amount of benefits that IDES paid to you in the past calendar year and
prior calendar years.
Tele-Serve Phone Number: 1-888-337-7234 Monday through Friday 5:00am to 9:00pm
TDD/TTY 1-800-662-3943 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
What certification questions will they ask me on Tele-Serve?
 Below is a list of questions that will be asked when you certify every two weeks using either TeleServe or online.33 Your answers to the questions will determine your eligibility for benefits. You may
be asked additional questions depending on the program from which you are receiving benefits.
IMPORTANT: You should review and prepare your answers before you certify to
ensure quick, accurate certification. Make sure you write down how you respond to these
questions and save a copy in case there are questions later.
33
IDES, “Certify for Unemployment Benefits by Phone: Tele-Serve.” P. 7
23
1. Have you received or will you receive holiday pay during the period of Sunday (week 1
beginning date) through Saturday (week 2 ending date)?
Tip: Make sure you have your holiday pay amount available.
• If yes, enter the holiday pay (before deductions) for each week.
2. Did you work during the period of Sunday (week 1 beginning date) through Saturday
(week 2 ending date)?
Tip: Have your earnings before taxes and other deductions available.
• If yes, enter the total amount of earnings (before deductions) for each week.
3. Has your dependency status changed during this certification period?
4. Were you able and available to work each day during your normal work week?
• If no, enter the number of days you were unavailable for work in each of the weeks.
5. Did you actively look for work for the week of Sunday (week 1 beginning date) through
Saturday (week 2 ending date)?
6. Are you receiving or have you applied for Social Security benefits?
7. Other than Social Security, are you receiving or have you applied for a retirement or
disability pension?
• If yes, has the amount changed?
8. Did you attend school or receive training?
• If yes, did you attend all scheduled training courses?
• If no, enter the number of days that you did not attend class.
NOTE: This question is intended for only those enrolled in an IDES-approved
training program. It is possible that you are enrolled in school without IDES
approval and still available for full-time work. Your benefits may be stopped if
IDES thinks you are in approved training and missed class when you are not. Be
sure to clarify with IDES right away if this question confused you or you believe
you answered incorrectly.
9. Do you have a current workers’ compensation claim or do you expect to receive
workers’ compensation for a temporary disability?
10. Has your phone number changed?
• If yes, enter your new ten-digit telephone number.
11. Has your mailing address changed?
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
 Gross pay is the total amount you were paid before taxes and deductions were taken out of your
pay. IDES will always ask for your gross pay.

Net pay is the amount you’ve been paid after taxes and deductions have been taken out.
24
PART IV – RECEIVING BENEFITS
HOW ARE MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
DETERMINED?

Your weekly benefit amount and the total amount of benefits that can be paid to you during your
benefit year depend on the amount of wages for insured work paid to you during your base period.
This is a very complicated calculation. Your local IDES staff can provide you with a table to confirm
the calculation of your benefits (See Appendix H).

The base period is a period of time. The traditional base period is the first four out of the last five
completed calendar quarters immediately before the start of your “benefit year.” There is a lag
quarter where they do not use your earnings. This means that when your benefits are calculated, they
do not use wages in the calendar quarter in which you filed your claim, or the quarter just before that.

A calendar quarter is a period of three months. There are four quarters in a year: January – March;
April – June; July – September; October – December.

Your “benefit year” is the full twelve-month period that begins on the day you filed your initial
claim for benefits.
If Your Benefits Started:
Your Traditional Base Period Will Be:
This January, February, or March
Last year between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 and the year
before between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31
Last year between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31
Last year between April 1 and Dec. 31 and this year
between Jan. 1 and March 31
Last year between July 1 and Dec. 31 and this year
between Jan. 1 and June 30
This April, May, or June
This July, August, or September
This October, November, or December

To be eligible for benefits, you must have been paid at least a total of $1600 during the base period.
You must have been paid at least $440 in each of two quarters during the base period. It doesn’t
matter how many weeks you worked or how much you earned per hour. You must have received
wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period.34
EXAMPLE (and see chart on next page): If the earning amounts in the following chart were
yours, you would qualify for benefits. Remember, to be monetarily eligible for benefits, you must
have earned at least $1600 during your base period. You earned $3,420.75 total during the traditional
base period. Also, you must have earned at least $440 in at least two quarters during the base period.
You earned more than $440 in Quarters 1 and 3, so you would be monetarily eligible using the
traditional base period. Your two highest earning quarters during the traditional base period are
Quarter 1, where you earned $1,673.75, and Quarter 3, where you earned $1,545.00. These are the
wages your benefits will be calculated from. It does not matter that you had no earnings in Quarter 2,
or that your earnings were less than $440 in Quarter 4.
34
820 ILCS 405/500(E)
25
January
February
March
Base Period
1st Quarter
$1,673.75
April
May
June
Base Period
2nd Quarter
$0
July
August
September
Base Period
3rd Quarter
$1,545.00
October
November
December
Base Period
4th Quarter
$202.00
January
February
March
This quarter is
not counted
(“lag quarter”)
April
May
June
Claim Filed
What if I didn’t make enough during my base period to be eligible for unemployment insurance?
 If you do not have enough earnings in the traditional base period, but you have more earnings in the
“lag quarter” (the quarter between the date when you’re applying for benefits and the end of the
traditional base period), then you may be eligible using an “alternate base period.”

You may not have enough earnings in the traditional base period because you were a part-time
worker, new to the workforce or you had a long break in employment. The alternate base period
allows you to become eligible for benefits if you made enough wages during the four quarters
immediately before the start of your benefit year, which is when you filed your claim.35

To be eligible for benefits using the alternate base period, you must have been paid at least $1600
during the alternate base period. You must have been paid at least $440 in each of two quarters
during the base period. Both of these requirements are just like the traditional base period, it’s just
they apply to a later time period.
IMPORTANT: To be screened for eligibility under the alternate base period, you should apply at your
local office. The computers IDES uses, which have your wage information in them, may not have a record of
your most recent earnings which may help you qualify under the alternate base period. But if you apply in the
local office, you can bring your most recent paystubs with you, or any other evidence you have of your more
recent earnings. That way, if you don’t have enough earnings under the regular base period, they can check if
you qualify using the alternative base period. If you apply online and don’t have enough earnings in the
traditional base period, you will receive a finding that you are not eligible for benefits because the
IDES computer doesn’t have a record of your more recent earnings which will help you qualify under
the alternate base period. Then you’d have to appeal or re-apply in person, which may slow down your
benefits.
ALTERNATE BASE PERIOD EXAMPLE (and see chart on next page): The following chart
shows how you might not qualify for unemployment benefits using the traditional base period, but
might using the alternative base period. In the example below, you filed your initial unemployment
claim on April 15th, 2012 and you began your job on July 13th, 2011. Therefore, you only had two
quarters with countable earnings in the traditional base period (July-September and OctoberDecember 2011). Even though you did earn over $1,600 in that time, you only had one quarter with
at least $440 in earnings in your traditional base period.
However, if you use the alternative base period, you have over $1600 in earnings and you have the
required two quarters with at least $440 in earnings (because you earned the $1545 in July-September
2011 and $990 in January-March 2012). Under the alternate base period, you qualify for
unemployment benefits.
35
820 ILCS 405/237(C)
26
Traditional
Base Period
Alternative
Base Period
January
February
March
2011
April
May
June
2011
July
August
September
2011
October
November
December
2011
$0
This quarter is
not counted
$0
$1,545.00
$202.00
January
February
March
2012
This quarter is
not counted
(“lag quarter”)
$0
$1,545.00
$202.00
$990.00
April
May
June
2012
Claim
Filed
DETERMININING YOUR BENEFIT AMOUNT
How much will I get?
 The amount of benefits you will receive depends on how much you were paid during your base
period. Specifically, your benefit is based on the amount you were paid during the two quarters of
your base period when you were paid the most.
1. However, no matter how much you made during those two quarters, there is a law that
caps the amount you are able to receive.36 See Appendix H for IDES Weekly Benefit
Amounts. Based on the law in 2012:
o The maximum amount of benefits you can receive is $403.00 per week.
o If you have a dependent spouse you can receive up to $480.00 per week.
o If you have a child or children you can receive up to $549.00 per week.
o The minimum amount you can receive is $51.00 per week without dependents.

The weekly benefit amount is usually 47% of your average weekly wage. The average weekly wage is
calculated by dividing the wages paid during the two highest quarters of the base period.37 The
maximum weekly benefit amount is 47% of the statewide average weekly wage. The statewide
average weekly wage is calculated each year. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $51; the
maximum benefit is $403 (without dependents).
EXAMPLE:
Highest quarter of earnings
Second highest quarter of earnings
Total
Total divided by 26
Prior average weekly wage (rounded to the nearest dollar)
47% of prior average weekly wage
Weekly Benefit Rate (rounded up)

=$1,673.75
=$1,545.00
=$3,218.75
=$123.80
=$124.00
=$58.28
=$59.00
If you have an outstanding child support obligation, this amount may be deducted from your
benefits.38 You will receive notice in the mail and an opportunity to appeal.
IDES, “Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts” (2011).
820 ILCS 405/401
38 56 ILL Admin. Code 2815.105-125
36
37
27
BENEFIT PAYMENT INFORMATION
Are my benefits taxable?
 YES. You are required to report and pay state and federal taxes on the benefits you receive.

You can have IDES withhold a portion of your benefits by completing the “Tax Withholding Form”
available at IDES offices or online at www.ides.illinois.gov.
NOTE: If you do not elect to have federal and/or State of Illinois income taxes
deducted and withheld from your unemployment insurance benefit payments, you
may be required to make estimated tax payments using IRS Form 1040ES and the
Illinois Department of Revenue Form IL 1040ES.
When and how will I get paid my benefits?
 You have to serve a mandatory one week waiting period. According to IDES, it takes approximately
three weeks from the date of your claim to receive your payment.

You will receive your payment either by direct deposit or debit card.
1. Direct deposit: This way is faster and more reliable. The benefit is deposited into your bank
account within 2 business days after you certify for benefits. If you do not sign up for direct
deposit you will receive a debit card.
NOTE: For more information, and to sign up for direct deposit, go to
www.ides.illinois.gov and click on “payment options.”
2. Debit card: The card is mailed to you, and the benefit payment will be downloaded onto the
card approximately 2-3 business days after you certify for benefits. The card can be used
anywhere the Visa card is accepted.
o If you lose your debit card, call 1-800-627-2069.
o You can manage your card online without any fees, and use it to make purchases
without fees, but there are some fees for making withdrawals, etc. Learn more by
going online to: www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?item=1781.
What if I was paid too much?
 If you are overpaid in benefits, you will have to repay IDES the amount over the overpayment.39 The
amount will appear on a form you will receive called the Notice of Reconsidered Determination
and Recoupment Decision (Form 275D).40

If you disagree about the overpayment, you can appeal the overpayment decision within 30 days after
the form was mailed to you. If you disagree with the decision to recoup the funds, you can ask the
claims adjudicator to reconsider his or her decision for up to a year.41
820 ILCS 405/900
IDES, “Benefit Overpayment Information”
41 56 ILL Admin. Code 2835.25
39
40
28

If the overpayment is because of reasons other than fraud (your knowingly giving false or misleading
information) and you are still entitled to get benefits, the amount recovered from your benefits
cannot be more than 25% of your weekly unemployment insurance benefit amount. However, you
are responsible for the entire amount you were overpaid.42

The state may recoup the overpayment by deducting the amount owed from your income tax refunds
or any lottery winnings you receive. If the overpayment is a result of fraud, the state may recoup the
overpayment by offsetting federal payments, such as federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
refunds or other refundable credit payments.

If the overpayment is not your fault, you can also request that the amount not be taken out
immediately. You need to show extreme financial hardship to get a temporary waiver.43 You are still
responsible for the amount of benefits overpaid to you.

One way to avoid an overpayment is to be sure to notify IDES right away when you begin working
again, even part time. Do not wait until your first paycheck to report your earnings, since IDES
won’t know that you are working and will continue to pay you benefits, which you will have to repay.
What if I was paid too little?
 If you received less than what your Findings Report states, and you have not worked and were
available to work every day of your work week, then you should report this immediately to your
IDES office.

If you have worked recently, your weekly benefit will be reduced depending on how much you’ve
earned. See page 32 on partial benefits and part time work.
CHILDREN AND NON-WORKING SPOUSES
What if my spouse is not working?
 Your spouse can apply on his or her own if he or she meets the requirements for unemployment
insurance; OR

You may be eligible for a dependent’s allowance if:
1. Your spouse does not have enough wages of their own to qualify for benefits (for instance if
he or she never worked, or hasn’t worked much in the last year), AND
2. You provided more than one-half of your spouse’s support for the 90 days prior to the first
day of each week that you file a claim for benefits.
What if I was unable to provide support because of illness or injury?
If you were married for at least 90 consecutive days prior to the first day of any week for
which you file a claim for benefits but were prevented by illness or injury from supporting
your spouse, you are considered to have supported her or him.
What if my marriage took place less than 90 days before the first day of the benefit week?
You may still claim your spouse as a dependent if he/she does not have enough wages to
qualify for benefits and you provided more than one-half of their support since the marriage.
4256
43
ILL Admin. Code 2835.15
There are specific requirements for a waiver request in the regulations 56 ILL Admin. Code 2835.30, .45 and .50.
29
What if I am in a civil union?
 Members of a civil union are considered spouses for all Illinois law.
What if I have a dependent child?
 For IDES purposes, you can claim a child as a dependent if all of the following apply:
1. No one else can have claimed this child on a UI application and gotten the dependent
allowance for that child during the past year. (It does not matter if someone else claimed the child as a
dependent for tax purposes. For instance, you and your spouse may have jointly filed taxes that claimed your
child as a dependent. That’s fine as long as your spouse hasn’t also gotten the dependent allowance in UI
benefits for the child in the last year.);
2. The child is not a member of the same family of the other parent who has claimed another
child as a dependent;
3. The child is under 18 years of age, or, if 18 or older the child has been unable to work
because of illness or other disability during at least the 90 consecutive days prior to the first
day of any week for which you file a claim for benefits;
4. The child is your natural child, your stepchild, or your adopted child, or the child is in your
custody by court order; AND
5. You provided more than one-half of the support for the child for at least the 90 consecutive
days prior to the first day of any week for which you file a claim for benefits,
o OR, you provided more than one-half support for as long as the relationship has
existed, if it has existed for less than 90 days;
o OR, you provided at least one-quarter of the support if you and your spouse
together provided more than one-half of the support and were members of the
same household.

You CANNOT currently claim both your spouse and your dependent child or children as
dependents, because of IDES’ narrow interpretation of state law.
What if I was unable to support my children or child because of illness or injury?

If you 1) provided at least one-quarter of the support of your child or children for at least the 90
consecutive days prior to the first day of any week for which you file a claim for benefits; or 2) were
legally obligated to support your child or children by court order for the 90-day period; but were
unable to provide that support because of illness or injury, you are considered to have supported
them.44
How much will I receive for dependent’s allowance?

Children:
Your child dependent allowance will be the greater of:
1. 17% of your prior average weekly wage (rounded up);45 OR
2. The lesser of $50 or 50% of your weekly benefit amount (rounded up).46
o So long as the total payment to an individual is less than $552, which is 47% plus
the dependent child rate of 17%.
820 ILCS 405/401(B)(2)
820 ILCS 405/401(B)(2)
46 820 ILCS 405/401(C)
44
45
30
47

Spouse:
If you have a non-working spouse, meeting the conditions above, you can receive the greater of: 9%
of your prior average weekly wage (rounded up) or $15.47
o So long as the total payment to an individual does not exceed 56% of the statewide
average weekly wage, which means the total payment must be less than $480.

You will receive the dependent’s allowance in addition to your weekly benefit amount. There is a
maximum amount of dependent allowance you can receive. Most times, the dependent’s allowance
for a child is larger than for a spouse. If you have a child or children the maximum amount of
benefits you can receive is $549.00 per week. Refer to Appendix H for a table of weekly benefit
amounts with spouse and child dependent allowances. Again, you cannot receive both a spouse and
dependent child allowance.
805 ILCS 405/401(C)(8)
31
PART V – WORKING OR GOING
TO SCHOOL WHILE RECEIVING
BENEFITS
PART-TIME WORKERS
Am I eligible for benefits if I am involuntarily working part-time?
 If you are working part-time because of a lack of available full-time work or a large cut in your
regular hours, you may be eligible for “partial benefits.” To be eligible, your earnings for the week
must be less than the weekly benefit amount (not including your dependent’s allowance) you would
receive if you were “totally unemployed” for the week.
PART TIME EXAMPLE 1: You used to work full-time at a hotel, but since business is down, they
are only offering you 12 hours a week. You can work these reduced hours, apply for UI, and can get
partial benefits as long as you meet all the other eligibility criteria and your wages still meet the
requirements for “partial benefits.”
PART TIME EXAMPLE 2: You used to work full-time at a hotel, and were laid off when business
is slow. You apply for UI and start receiving benefits. Then you find an 8-hour-a-week job waiting
tables. You may continue to receive benefits as long as you keep certifying and your wages at the new
job meet the requirements for “partial benefits.”
How much will I receive for “partial benefits”?
 If your earnings are half or less of your weekly benefit amount (not including your dependent’s
allowance), you will get your whole normal weekly benefit amount and dependent’s allowance.

If your earnings are more than half of your weekly benefit amount, you will get partial benefits. To
figure out your partial benefits, you first need to figure out how much of your earnings are above half
your weekly benefit amount (not including your dependent’s allowance, which stays the same). Then
you’ll take your total weekly benefit (this includes your dependent’s allowance), and subtract that
amount you just figured, the amount your earnings exceeded half your weekly benefit amount). If the
partial benefit amount does not come to an even dollar, it is raised to the next higher dollar (so long
as this is still below the amount you would receive for “total unemployment”).

Remember: The full amount of holiday pay will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount. Also,
each day you are unavailable to work your benefits are reduced by one fifth.
PARTIAL BENEFITS CALCULATION EXAMPLE:
First step:
Weekly benefit amount (not including a dependence allowance)
50% weekly benefit amount
Your earnings
Amount that your earnings exceed 50% of your weekly benefit amount
32
= $110
= $55.00
=$76.50
=$21.50
Second step:
Your weekly benefit amount with your dependent allowance of $15
Amount that your earnings exceed 50% of your weekly benefit amount
Weekly benefit amount with allowance minus amount that exceeds 50%
= $125
=$21.50
=$103.50
Partial Benefits Amount (rounded up)
=$104.00
CAN I GO TO SCHOOL AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR
BENEFITS?

If you’d like to go to school or training, but aren’t approved by IDES, you can still go to school as
long as you meet the other eligibility requirements for UI, like that you’re available for work and
actively looking for work. Your primary role can’t be as a student – you need to mostly be looking
for work. If you are not in an approved training program and you report when you certify that you
attended training, your UI payment may be stopped while the department determines that you are
still eligible for benefits. IDES will likely call you to ask about your training if prompted by your
answer on Tele-Serve, and you must explain that the time you are taking classes doesn’t interfere with
your job search or work prospects, or that you would quit school if a job became available.

If you are enrolled in and attending an IDES approved training course, you are eligible for
unemployment benefits as long as you attend all the required training and you meet the usual
requirements for UI. Regular attendance at an approved training course may exempt you from the
work search requirements if you are applying for regular or extended benefits. This means that you
do not need to make an active job search or show that you are available for work while attending
training.48 To be considered “in regular attendance” at an approved training course, you must attend
every scheduled session of the course and be able to present an attendance report. If you miss any
scheduled class session on a particular day, your weekly benefit amount will be reduced for that
week.49
FOR EXAMPLE, you are enrolled in an approved training course that is scheduled to meet
twice daily Monday through Friday through the end of the course. You miss one of the two
daily sessions on Wednesday because you are ill. Therefore, you will have failed to meet the
requirement of being “in regular attendance” on Wednesday, and your weekly benefit
amount would be reduced by one-fifth for that week.
What kinds of training are approved by IDES?
 Your local IDES office will be able to confirm if you are in an approved training program.

49
Training paid for by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is generally approved. Learn more about
WIA at http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Workforce_Development/Job+Seeker/2program+overview.htm.
56 ILL. Admin. Code 2865.140
33

Approved training is determined on a case by case basis. Generally, the following criteria must be
met for a training course to be approved:
1. The training course must relate to an occupation or skill where there are expected to be
reasonable and immediate job opportunities in the future. This generally means that:
The course may not be longer than one year in duration;
The course must consist of at least 12 hours per week of instruction that includes
contact with the instructor, whether through classroom training, laboratory
instruction or tutoring; AND
o The course must focus on helping you secure entry level employment in a selected
occupation by providing you with essential work skills (see example below).
FOR EXAMPLE, classes designed solely to provide you with a high school
equivalency diploma or GED would not be approved because a GED does not
provide you with the skills necessary to perform work in a specific occupation.
However, vocational courses of study that also include some purely academic
courses may be approved, so long as the academic coursework is secondary to the
vocational aspects.
The training course is offered by a credible agency, educational institution or employing unit;
You have the ability and qualifications to complete the course successfully;
You are not a recipient or eligible for subsistence payments or similar assistance under any
public or private retraining program (such as a stipend that pays some of your living
expenses while you do the training, unless the stipend is reduced to the allowable amount);
AND
There are no available work opportunities for which you are qualified for in your locality (see
example below).
FOR EXAMPLE, if you are a trained and certified nurse’s aide, training that would allow
you to become a registered nurse would not be approved if there are reasonable openings
for nurse’s aides in your area, even if you are dissatisfied with your present occupation as a
nurse’s aide.
o
o
2.
3.
4.
5.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSIONS
What if I receive Social Security or pension payments?
 If you receive Social Security or pension payments, your unemployment insurance benefit will be
reduced by 1/2 of your weekly Social Security or retirement pension payment (if paid for in part by
your base period or chargeable employer) or all of a retirement pension payment (if the base period
or chargeable employer paid all of its cost).50 There have been efforts in the past to change the Social
Security rule in Illinois, and some states don’t deduct Social Security from UI benefits at all.
SOCIAL SECURITY DEDUCTION EXAMPLE (see calculations on the next page): Let’s
say you receive $1,102.34 a month in Social Security, and your weekly unemployment insurance
benefit amount is $331.00. You would need to calculate what your monthly Social Security payment
is per week, and then divide that in half. Then, you would subtract that amount from your weekly
unemployment insurance benefit amount.
50
805 ILCS 405/401(C)(8)
34
Calculating half of your weekly Social Security amount:
Monthly Social Security Amount
Divided by days in month (/30)
Daily Social Security Amount
Multiplied by days in a week (x7)
Weekly Social Security Amount
Half of Weekly Social Security Amount (/2)
=$1,102.34
=$36.74
=$257.21
=$128.61
Determining your benefit amount after Social Security deductions:
Weekly UI Benefit Amount
Minus ½ Weekly Social Security Amount
Benefit Amount after Social Security Deductions (rounded up)
=$331.00
=$128.61
=$204.00
RETURNING TO WORK
Can I get help finding a job?
 Visit your local WorkNet Center for information about job vacancies, career options, relevant
employment trends, and services such as: job search assistance, help with improving interview skills,
and referrals to training programs and/or support services. Most services are free to local residents.
See Appendix D to locate an office closest to you. You can also visit Illinois WorkNet online at
www.illinoisworknet.com. Check out their useful Employment Guide at
www.illinoisworknet.com/vos_portal/residents/en/LaidOffWorkerAssistance/Put_IL_to_Work/
for guidance on the job search process.

Illinois Skills Match offers a website where employers list their job openings and job seekers can
list their profiles and applications. Visit www.illinoisskillsmatch.com to learn more.

Visit IDES’ Career Information website for information about changing careers; retraining options,
financial aid and providers; finding occupations that require a skill set similar to what you already
have; and other helpful links. Go online at http://www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?item=35.
What should I do when I return to work?
 If you find employment (including temporary, seasonal work), you must still call Tele-Serve or go
online to certify as you normally would on your designated day.
51

Pay close attention to the question that asks, “DID YOU WORK DURING THE PERIOD OF
SUNDAY [week 1 beginning date] THROUGH SATURDAY [week 2 ending date]?”
1. When you answer “YES” to this question and respond with the dollar amounts you earned
for the period, the Tele-Serve system will adjust the amount you are paid.

If you earned enough wages so that you no longer qualify for benefits, the system will automatically
suspend your claim. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming your response of having
returned to work. There will be no further action required from you unless and until you need
unemployment insurance again.51
IDES Frequently Asked Questions
35

DO NOT wait until you receive your first paycheck to report your earnings. If you wait, you may be
paid benefits until IDES knows that you have begun working again (including part time work) and
you will have to repay those benefits.

If you earned less than your benefit amount, you will still receive benefits but they will be reduced
from the full amount. See page 32 for more information.
36
PARTI VI – CHALLENGED OR
DENIED CLAIMS AND APPEALS

Once you’ve applied for benefits, IDES will investigate your claim to make sure you are eligible.
IDES will send your most recent former employers a notice that you’ve applied for UI benefits. At
that point, any of your former employers can object to you receiving benefits if they do not think you
are eligible.52
1. If no one objects, and IDES finds you eligible, you will receive a letter (UI Findings) that
approves you for unemployment benefits. Once you certify and serve your waiting week, you
will receive benefits.
2. If your employer challenges your eligibility, you will get a letter explaining the precise factual
question relating to your eligibility, and the claims adjudicator will investigate that claim.53
You will be given an opportunity to provide the claims adjudicator with any statements or
other evidence to establish your rights to benefits.
3. While waiting to hear from the claims adjudicator, you MUST maintain your eligibility for
benefits by certifying and maintaining your work search record.
4. After the IDES claims adjudicator has ruled on your case, they will send you and the
objecting employer their determination in writing that states whether you are approved to
receive benefits or denied. Both you and the employer have a right to appeal this finding.
Page 38 explains the appeals process.You will be paid promptly if the claims adjudicator
determines that you are eligible for benefits.
5. If an IDES claims adjudicator approves you for benefits, but your former employer appeals
and employer wins the appeal, and you continued to receive benefits during the appeal,
action will be taken to recover those benefits. Because you will be asked to repay those
benefits, you should participate in the referee’s hearing of the employer’s appeal and present
your side of the case. You will be notified of the date and time of the hearing by a letter in
the mail.

52
53
An employer may object to your claim because when you receive unemployment benefits, one of
your former employers may have to pay higher unemployment insurance taxes. Even an employer
who is not found to be “chargeable” for your unemployment benefits (meaning that they are
responsible for your benefits, and so may face a higher UI tax rate in the future) can challenge your
eligibility if they believe you are disqualified.
56 ILL Adm. Code 2720.130
56 ILL Adm. Code 2720.135
37
APPEALS PROCESS
What are my rights if my claim is denied by the IDES Claims Adjudicator?
 If your claim for unemployment insurance benefits is denied by your local office, you may appeal the
denial.

You have the right to have a representative – an attorney or any other person you choose – to help
you. The state provides limited free legal services to claimants.
1. Representation is your right. You may qualify for free legal assistance provided by
Illinois Law. Your local IDES staff can assist you. Call the number below to determine if
you qualify. However, you have the right to have a representative of your choice, which
can be an attorney or any individual you choose.54 See also Appendix E for more
information on legal resources.
2. It is helpful to have an attorney as early in the process as possible, preferably before
your hearing.
To determine if you qualify for free legal assistance, see the following:
If your Social Security number ends in a 0 through 4, call toll-free (800) 884-6591 or TTY
(866) 848-5609 or, for out-of-State callers (not toll-free), (847) 991-9240.
If your Social Security number ends in a 5 through 9, call toll- free (888) 430-1776 or TTY
(not toll-free) (312) 640-1264 or, for out-of-State callers (not toll-free), (312) 640-1776.
3. However, free legal representation is not automatic and depends on the facts of your
case- the attorneys must determine that you have a valid claim. Different attorneys may
have a different opinion about what a valid claim is, and so you may have to try more
than one legal service.
4. Even if you do not qualify for attorney representation, one will speak to you about your
case. If you are interested in this service, call 1-800-884-6591. To get services offered by
the state, you must call right away after receiving a ruling against you, such as receiving
your denial letter. If you’ve filed an appeal and received a letter notifying you of the
appeal hearing, you must apply within 3 days before your hearing in order to get legal
services.55
How do I file an initial appeal to the IDES Referee?
 After a finding or determination letter denying your claim, you have 30 days after your denial letter
has been mailed to you to file an appeal. Look for the postmarked date on the envelope, not the
date on the letter. If the last day for filing your appeal is Saturday or Sunday, or any other day the
office is closed, the appeal may be filed on the next day the office is open. If you mail your appeal, it
must be postmarked within the 30 day period.56 You can also fax your appeal to your local office. See
Appendix D for IDES office fax numbers.
IDES, “Appealing to the Board of Review”
56 ILL. Adm. Code 2712.203(b)
56 56 ILL. Adm. Code 2720.10
54
55
38

Complete the Request for Reconsideration of Claims Adjudicator’s Determination form to appeal
the denial. You can find this form online at:
www.ides.illinois.gov/Custom/Library/publications/Forms/RequestforReconsideration_ifapplicable
Appeal_ADJ024F.pdf. You can mail, fax, or deliver this form to your local office. (See Appendix D
for office locations and fax numbers).
IMPORTANT: Remember to keep all correspondence (including the denial letter or
other letters you receive in the mail AND the envelopes, and copies of faxes). It is
best to get a folder or box to file everything in and keep it in a single, safe place. It will
make the appeal process easier.

If the reconsideration is denied, your appeal is automatically sent to the Appeals Division. A hearing
will be scheduled for your appeal. Written notice will be sent to you with the date and time of the
hearing not later than 10 days before the date of your hearing.57 If you must change the appointment
date or time, call the phone number on the notice.

In most cases, your former employer is the opposing party in your appeal. Your employer also has a
right to bring a lawyer to the appeal hearing.
What happens at my appeal hearing?
 Your appeal will be assigned to an impartial IDES administrative law judge, or referee, for a hearing.
You will receive a Notice of Hearing with the date and time of your hearing in the mail.

All hearings are scheduled to be conducted by telephone on a conference call. The referee will
contact you at the telephone number on the Notice at the time and date of your hearing. If your
number has changed or you wish to be called at another number you must call the referee
immediately. The Notice will have the referee’s contact information. Notify IDES prior to your
hearing if you will need an interpreter. Call the 800 number on your Notice.

Make sure that you know your case docket number. This is a 7-digit number on your Notice of
Hearing (upper right).
NOTE: You can find helpful resources, including a “Preparing for Your Appeal Hearing” brochure, online
at: www.ides.illinois.gov, under the Appeals section on the left of the webpage.
57
58

The referee will ask questions to you and your former employer to bring out the facts relating to the
case.

At the hearing, you can present facts and witnesses in support of your case. You must arrange for
your witnesses to come to the hearing, and collect any evidence you want to bring. If you cannot get
the witness or evidence yourself, you may ask the referee in writing to subpoena it.58 Written
evidence must be provided to the referee and to your former employer at least 24 hours before the
hearing. Mail or fax any documents or evidence to your former employer and the IDES Appeals
Division.
56 IL Admin Code 2720.205
56 IL Admin Code 2720.225
39

Your former employer will also present their case, and may be represented at the hearing by an
attorney. You will have a final opportunity to add any further comments or argument before the end
of the hearing.
NOTE: Mail or deliver documents and/or evidence to the IDES Appeals Division:
Chicago Office:
33 S. State St., 8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Springfield Office:
850 E. Madison St.
PO Box 19296
Springfield, IL 62794
If you choose to fax any documents and/or evidence, use the fax number printed on your
Notice of Hearing you receive in the mail.

If you miss the hearing, you can request to reopen the hearing within 10 days.
The decision letter will be mailed as soon as possible after the hearing, most likely within 2 weeks. If
not, call the Appeals Office at 1-800-821-3550 (Chicago and North of I-80) or 1-800-423-2458
(Springfield and South of I-80).
IMPORTANT: You must maintain your eligibility for UI for each week you expect benefits if the
denial is reversed. Continue to file your regular claim certifications and keep your work search record
while waiting for the hearing and the decision.
What if the referee decides against me after I’ve appealed?
 If the letter of the referee’s decision you receive in the mail tells you that the referee decided against
you, you have the right to appeal again. This time you will be appealing the referee’s decision to the
IDES Board of Review, an independent 5-person body appointed by the Governor.

To appeal the referee’s decision to the Board of Review, you must file a signed and dated statement.
You can also use form APL 124F: Notice of Appeal/Board of Review, which you can find online at
www.ides.illinois.gov/Custom/Library/publications/Forms/NoticeofAppealBOR_APL124F.pdf.
Your appeal must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the postmarked date of the
referee’s decision. You should describe the parts of the referee’s decision you disagree with and
why.

You may file your appeal in person or by mail to the Appeals Division of local unemployment
insurance office where your unemployment insurance claim was filed, or directly to the state Board
of Review (see the box below).
IDES State Board of Review
33 S. State Street, Board of Review, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

The Board of Review generally decides cases without an oral argument, but you can file a request to
present an oral argument. You must file a signed request that the Board of Review hear your
argument upon filing your appeal.
40
1. If your former employer appealed, you have 7 days after the Notice of Pending Appeal
is mailed to file a signed request for an oral document.
2. All requests must contain your docket number.
3. You must include a signed statement certifying that you served a copy of your request
for an oral hearing to your former employer and describing how you served the
request.59
4. File your request in person or by mail to the Board of Review (see box above)
IMPORTANT: Remember to write your case docket number on all written arguments, requests to
submit additional evidence, responses and replies that you file.

If you wish, you may also file a written argument for the Board of Review to consider when
reviewing your case.60
1. If you requested a transcript of the hearing, you have no more than 10 days to file your
written argument. That 10 days starts after the date the transcript was mailed to you
(according to the postmarked date on the envelope the transcript was mailed in) or 10
days after the date of your appointment to review your file .
2. If you did not request a transcript, you have 15 days after the appeal was filed to the
Board of Review to file a written argument with the Board of Review.
3. You must provide your former employer with a copy of your written argument, and the
Board of Review needs to know that you sent it. When you file your written argument to
the Board of Review, you must include a signed statement on how you delivered (by
mail or in person) a copy of your written argument to your former employer. Here’s an
example:
“I, (your name), do hereby certify that I served a copy of the above written
argument upon (name of your former employer) by placing it in a postage paid
envelope addressed to (your former employer’s name and mailing address) and
depositing it with the U.S. mail at (location of mail deposit) on (date mailed) at (time
mailed).”
4. File your written argument by mail or in person to the Board of Review.
5. Your former employer has the opportunity, if they wish, to respond to your written
argument within 7 days after they’ve received your written argument.
6. If your former employer responds to your written argument, you can reply to their
response within 5 days after you have received their response to your written argument.

Your former employer can also submit a written argument. You have the right to respond to your
former employer’s written argument, but you must file your written response within 7 days after your
former employer mailed or served you with the written argument.61
56 IL Admin Code 2720.310
56 IL Admin Code 2720.315
61 56 IL Admin Code 2720.315
59
60
41

You can submit additional evidence, if the Board of Review approves your request. If approved, the
Board of Review will tell you how they want you to submit the evidence.
1. Your request must include:
o An explanation of the evidence to be introduced and why, for reasons that were not
your fault and were outside of your control, you were unable to introduce the
evidence at the referee’s hearing.
o You must include a signed written statement (see above) that you served a copy of
your request to your former employer and how you served the request.
2. Like above, your former employer may respond to your submission of evidence, and
you can reply to their response within the same time frames as above.
3. If you did not request a transcript, you have 15 days after the appeal was filed to file a
written request to present additional evidence.
4. If you requested a transcript, you must file your written request to present additional
evidence with the Board of Review no later than 10 days after the date of the transcript
was mailed to you or 10 days after the appointment to inspect the file in person.
What happens after I’ve appealed to the Board of Review?
 After you file your appeal, no further action is required. You can request a transcript of your hearing
with the referee or make an appointment to review documents of record that the Board of Review
will use to determine your case. IDES charges 25 cents per page. You may also request an
appointment to review or inspect your file in person which will cost you nothing. Call (312) 793-5176
to make your appointment.
To file a request for transcripts, you have 15 days after the appeal was filed to submit your
request. You must submit your request to the office of the Board of Review in person or by
mail at the following address:
IDES, Board of Review
33 S. State Street, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Or by fax at: (312) 793-2373

The Board of Review will mail the decision to you as soon as possible after your appeal—no later
than 120 days.62
IMPORTANT: Continue to certify regularly and report to your local IDES office as directed
for as long as any appeal is pending and as long as you remain unemployed. If the final
decision is in your favor, you can only be paid benefits for the weeks you certified claims and
met the eligibility requirements.

62
If you disagree with the Board of Review, you may file a “Complaint for Administrative Review” in
Circuit Court. You file this complaint to the Circuit Court of the county in which you live (if you live
in Illinois) or in the Circuit Court of Cook County (if you live in another state). You will not be
required to pay court costs. You may, however, have to pay for the service of summons and for a
transcript of the record.
56 IL Admin Code 2720.340
42
PART VII – UI BENEFITS AFTER
25 WEEKS

During periods of abnormally high unemployment, the federal government provides assistance to
many recipients who have exhausted the total amount of weeks of state unemployment insurance.
The federal unemployment programs are called Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
and Extended Benefits (EB), which allow for additional weeks of benefits funded by the federal
government. Right now EUC provides Illinois workers with 53 weeks of benefits after the state
benefits are exhausted. Up until May 2012, EB then provided another 20 weeks after EUC was
exhausted, however now Illinois no longer currently has any weeks of EB. Future congressional
actions and our state unemployment rate may affect the amount of weeks and benefits available, and
the current law includes complicated tiers of benefits which may change in duration if the Illinois
unemployment rate changes.

Your weekly benefit amount for federal benefits is the same as your regular weekly benefit amount
provided by the state. When federal benefits are available, IDES will notify you in writing of the
requirements to receive benefits under such a program. Federal benefits can have different
requirements, including the way you look for work, how you document your work search, and
interview requirements.
How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I receive?
 If your benefit year started in 2011, you will receive up to 26 weeks of regular benefits. If you file an
unemployment insurance claim in 2012 or later, the state will only provide for 25 weeks of benefits.

An additional 53 weeks of benefits are currently available for many workers through the federal EUC
program.

Over the course of 2012, the number of weeks of benefits is likely to decrease in Illinois. The
extension of EB and EUC that Congress passed in February 2012 is quite complicated, and how
many weeks of benefits workers in a state will receive will depend on the state unemployment rate,
the state’s rate over the last three years, and the calendar month of 2012. To learn more about these
factors, visit the Q&A on http://unemployedworkers.org.63 It is difficult to predict exactly how
many weeks any individual will receive, but the best guess is that Illinois workers will be
eligible for a total of at least 72 weeks of benefits, up through the first week of January, 2013.
In order for federal benefits (those after 25 weeks) to continue in Illinois in 2013, Congress
would have to pass another extension.

When your regular state benefits of 25 weeks are exhausted, you will be notified in writing by IDES
of your eligibility for the federal EUC program. The notification will include where to apply and the
timeframe in which you should apply, if you are eligible.
63UnemployedWorkers.org,
“The 2012 Unemployment Insurance Extension: A Detailed Q&A”
43
1. To be eligible, you must have been employed for 20 weeks of full-time insured employment
or must have earned the equivalent in wages. This federal requirement means that not all
workers eligible for regular state benefits are eligible for the EUC.64
2. The weekly dollar amount of EUC will be the same amount as your 25 weeks of regular
benefits; this includes dependents’ allowances. Just as for regular benefits, certification for
EUC payments will take place at the end of the weeks for which the benefits are claimed.
What if I’ve exhausted my unemployment insurance and need more help?
 To date, there are no additional weeks of unemployment compensation available for those who have
received the maximum weeks of UI.

Many Illinois state agencies and community groups deliver services to unemployed Illinois workers
once benefits run out. See Appendix F to find services for basic needs such as food, clothing, health
care, and shelter.
Pollack, Wendy. “President Signs Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act into Law: Benefits Available to
Illinois Workers as of July 6, 2008.” WomanView, Vol. 12(1).
64
44
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: INSURED WORK
Here are some examples of work that is NOT insured:65
1. Agricultural work: Only workers who worked for an employer that paid at least $20,000 in
cash wages to their employees during a calendar quarter or employed 10 or more individuals
within each week of 20 or more calendar weeks within either the current or preceding
calendar year.
2. Domestic work: Only workers who worked for an employer that paid at least $1,000 in cash
wages for any domestic services during a calendar quarter in either the current or preceding
calendar year are entitled to UI.
3. Railroad Work: Any work covered by the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act is not
insured under the State of Illinois Unemployment Insurance.
4. Family Employment: Certain types are not insured, such as working for a spouse, a parent
working for a son or daughter or a son or daughter under 18 years old working for a parent.
5. Work as an Insurance Agent or Solicitor: This type of work, when paid solely on a
commission basis, is not covered.
6. Government Work: In special situations, such as those hired to work for a short period of
time following a disaster or for elected officials, may not be covered.
7. Federal, state, or locally funded work-relief/training: These types of work are not
covered.
8. Direct Sellers of Consumer Products: Work performed on a buy-sell basis, by direct
commission, or any similar basis in a home or establishment other than a permanent retail
establishment is not covered.
There are some other types of work that are not insured under the Illinois program but may be insured under
another state, or the federal government. Your local IDES office will have more information on this.
65
820 ILCS 405/214-232.2
45
APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY OF UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE TERMS
Alternate base period: Uses the last four completed quarters of work to determine your unemployment
benefit eligibility. Some individuals are entitled to have their benefits calculated off this period, rather than the
standard base period, if they have insufficient earnings to qualify for benefits using the normal base period, or
if they received workers compensation for a temporary total disability during the normal base period.
Benefit year: When you file a claim, you begin a benefit period of one year from the effective date of your
claim.
Benefits: The amount of an unemployment insurance payment to a claimant.
Calendar quarter: A period of 3 consecutive calendar months ending with the last day of March, June,
September and December.
Calendar week: Begins on Sunday and ends on the following Saturday.
Certify or certification: The bi-weekly (once every two weeks) process in which you request payment of
your unemployment benefits.
Certification day: The day of the week you are required to submit your request payment of unemployment
benefits. This is done once every two weeks, or bi-weekly.
Claimant: Any person seeking unemployment insurance benefits.
Contested claim: When a previous employer challenges your unemployment benefit claim. If this happens,
you will be able to appeal.
Denied claim: IDES turns down your claim for unemployment benefits. You may appeal your claim if
you’ve been denied.
Dependent’s allowance: Provides an allowance up to a certain amount, in addition to your weekly benefits,
if you have dependent children and/or a non-working spouse.
Disqualification: You are prevented from receiving benefits. Common reasons for being disqualified are a
claimant's quitting without good cause, being terminated for misconduct, refusing to accept suitable work, or
knowingly giving false information to obtain or increase a benefit.
Effective date: The initial date you filed your claim. This is also when your benefit year begins.
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC): EUC is a federal unemployment program which
provides benefits to individuals who have exhausted their regular state benefits. If eligible, you would receive
and exhaust EUC benefits before you become eligible for EB benefits.
Extended Benefits (EB): EB are additional weeks of unemployment benefits paid during periods of high
unemployment as provided by the U.S. Congress, and have in the past been funded either by state and federal
funding, or by federal funding alone.
Good cause: When you have a serious reason for leaving or quitting your job (e.g., illness, sexual harassment
on the job, safety issues concerned with domestic violence, relocation of a spouse’s employment location).
46
Holiday pay: payments you receive after you’re done working for an employer for any paid vacation or
personal time that you did not use while you were an employee.
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES): The state department that oversees and carries out
the unemployment insurance program.
Insured work: Work performed for an employer that is required by law to make payments to the state under
the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. Some types of work may not be insured in Illinois, while some
types of work are insured for some employers but not insured for others.
Liable state: The liable state determines eligibility and benefit amounts and is responsible for paying the
claimant’s benefits in interstate claims, and is often referred to as the “paying state.”
Overpayment of benefits: If you receive benefits over the amount to which you are entitled (which may be
zero), you have to repay those benefits.
Partial benefits: If the claimant's gross earnings during a week are less than the claimant's weekly benefit
amount, the claimant may be entitled to “partial benefits." Partial benefits are usually paid when the claimant's
number of hours worked per week is reduced and the claimant is working all available hours.
Part-time work: Working less than full time.
Pay, earnings, income, or wages: IDES will always ask for your gross pay, which is the total amount you
were paid before taxes and deductions were taken out of your pay, not net pay, which is how much you take
home after deductions.
Regular benefits or regular state benefits: Unemployment benefits provided by the state. Illinois provides
for 25 weeks of regular benefits for people who apply in 2012 or later (prior to 2012, the state provided 26
weeks).
Spouse: Partners in a civil union are considered spouses under all Illinois laws. Any use of the term “spouse”
throughout this guide refers to both civil union partners and marriages, and the rules apply the same.
Tele-Serve: Tele-Serve is an automated telephone system that allows you to request payments, file claims and
obtain claim information using a touch-tone phone.
Traditional base period : A period of time that is used to calculate your unemployment benefits. It is the
first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately before the start of your benefit year, or
when you filed your initial claim.
Uninsured work: Work performed for an employer that is NOT required by law to make payments to the
state under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. Some types of work may not be insured in Illinois,
while some types of work are insured for some employers but not insured for others.
Waiting week: By Illinois law, the first week of your claim for which you are eligible to collect benefits is
your waiting period. Every effort will be made to pay benefits three weeks from the first week you filed your
claim, if you are deemed eligible. The total number of weeks for which you are eligible is not reduced by this
waiting period.
Weekly benefit amount: The amount payable to you for each week of unemployment in the benefit year.
The amount is based on your covered wages paid during the Base Period.
47
APPENDIX C: HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND
WEBSITES
General Unemployment and Claim Questions:

IDES Claimant Call Center: For Claimant Services, Unemployment Insurance, including questions
about Direct Deposit and Extended Benefits: (800) 244-5631 or (312) 793-5280 (Chicago)

IDES Website: http://www.ides.illinois.gov
To Apply for Unemployment Insurance:

In person at IDES: To find your nearest IDES office call 1-888-367-4382 or look at Appendix D
for office addresses.

Online: http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online_claim.asp

Out -of-state Claimants: Call 1-800-344-5573 or file online at:
http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online_claim.asp
To File a Claim or Certify:

By Phone: Tele-Serve (888) 337-7234. Tele-Serve lets you certify for benefits, check on your claim
status or payments, reopen claims, and more. You can certify between 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., M-F,
including holidays.

Online: Visit http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/online_claim.asp

By mail: Contact your local IDES office to make sure you meet the special conditions that would
allow you to file by mail.
48
APPENDIX D: IDES OFFICES AND WORKNET CENTERS
IDES Offices and WorkNet Center Addresses:
Office
Office Address
Arlington Heights
Belleville
Bloomington
Bolingbrook
Burbank
Centralia
Champaign
Blue Island / Pilsen
Diversey
Financial Place
Halsted
Lawrence
Mid-South
Stony Island
Woodlawn
723 West Algonquin Rd
4519 West Main
207 East Hamilton Rd
321 Quadrangle Dr
5608 West 75th Place
325 South Poplar Street - P.O. Box 825
1307 North Mattis Avenue - P.O. Box 3369
1700 West 18th Street
4931 West Diversey Pkwy
528 South Financial Place
837 West 119th
2444 West Lawrence
715 East 47th Street
8750 South Stony Island Ave
1515 East 71st
Chicago Heights
Danville
Decatur
DeKalb
East Alton
East St Louis
Effingham
Elgin
Freeport
Galesburg
Glen Carbon
Grayslake
Harvey
Jacksonville
Joliet
Kankakee
Litchfield
Lombard
Marion
Mattoon
1010 Dixie Highway
407 North Franklin
757 West Pershing Rd
1701 East Lincoln Hwy
612 West St Louis Ave
601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Bldg E
2311 Hoffman Dr
30 DuPage Court
1826 South West Ave
821 West Main
50 Kriege Farm Rd Glen
800 Lancer Lane
16845 South Halsted Street
850 South Main
250 North Chicago
255 North Schuyler
11006 Airport Trail Road
837 South Westmore Ave
8195 Express Dr
305 Richmond Ave East
49
Location
Arlington
Heights
Belleville
Bloomington
Bolingbrook
Burbank
Centralia
Champaign
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Heights
Danville
Decatur
DeKalb
East Alton
East St Louis
Effingham
Elgin
Freeport
Galesburg
Carbon
Grayslake
Harvey
Jacksonville
Joliet
Kankakee
Litchfield
Lombard
Marion
Mattoon
Zip code
60005-4432
62223-5552
61704-7527
60440-3407
60459-3200
62801-3249
61826-3369
60608-1914
60639-1705
60607
60643-5211
60625-2912
60653-4201
60617-2708
60619-1503
60411-2663
61832-4511
62526-1634
60115-3956
62024-1046
62201-1129
62401-2839
60120-6424
61032-6712
61401-3401
62034-2700
60030-2654
60426-6113
62650-3012
60432-4030
60901-3830
62056-1690
60148-3724
62959-5816
61938-0009
IDES Office Locations and Fax Numbers to send in Appeal
Forms:
Chicago Metro Area
3500 West Grand
2444 West Lawrence
4931 West Diversey
1515 East 71st Street
715 East 47th Street
1657 South Blue Island
8750 South Stony Island
837 West 119th Street
Arlington Heights
Bolingbrook
Burbank
Chicago Heights
Elgin
Evanston
Grayslake
Harvey
Joliet
Lombard
Maywood
North Aurora
Waukegan
Woodstock
Outside Chicago Area
779-227-7132
773-334-6833
773-889-6844
773-947-5690
773-538-8857
773-243-1343
773-221-3974
773-821-4922
847-981-7435
630-759-0665
708-458-3230
708-709-3055
847-888-5547
847-864-0166
847-543-7469
708-596-5351
815-740-5237
630-495-0617
708-338-7702
630-844-5033
847-543-7469
815-338-2706
50
Alton
Belleville
Bloomington
Centralia
Champaign
Danville
Decatur
DeKalb
East St. Louis
Effingham
Freeport
Galesburg
Glen Carbon
Jacksonville
Kankakee
Litchfield
Marion
Mattoon
Moline
Mount Vernon
Murphysboro
Ottawa
Pekin
Peoria
Quincy
Rockford
Springfield
Sterling
618-466-8261
618-277-5814
309-828-9968
618-532-0380
217-278-5728
217-442-0907
217-875-8778
815-748-5572
618-271-0622
217-347-7680
815-232-0083
309-343-0541
618-656-6403
217-245-9269
815-932-0648
217-324-2793
618-998-1231
217-235-0344
309-764-0567
618-244-0353
618-684-6809
815-434-0073
309-346-0497
309-671-3066
217-222-1564
815-395-8669
217-524-7848
815-625-7494
APPENDIX E: LEGAL SERVICES
Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago (LAF):
LAF represents eligible, low-income workers seeking Unemployment Benefits at all levels after the initial
grant or denial of benefits.
To apply for legal service, please call the Client Screening Unit at (312) 341-1070.
Downtown Office
120 S. LaSalle, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60603
(312)341-1070
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation
(Southern and part of Central Illinois)
1-877-342-7891
Prairie State Legal Services
(Northern and part of Central Illinois)
1-800-690-2130
IDES Legal Services Program (LSP):
IDES contracts with private law firms to provide limited free legal services (consultation and/or
representation at IDES administrative hearings) to claimants who are eligible for this service.
If filing an appeal or Board of Review matter concerning a decision, determination, order or ruling by IDES,
you may be eligible for IDES free legal services program depending on your case.
IDES LSP Contact Information:
If your Social Security number ends in a 0 through 4:
call toll-free (800) 884-6591
TTY number is (866) 848-5609
If your Social Security number ends in a 5 through 9:
call toll-free (888) 430-1776
TTY number (not toll-free) is (312) 640-1264
51
APPENDIX F: PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH YOUR BASIC
NEEDS
Illinois has several programs to help you with your basic living needs. The list below offers some basic
information of programs that may help you if you are ineligible for UI benefits or exhaust your UI benefits,
or even if you are still receiving benefits. You do not necessarily have to be unemployed to receive most
services. Browse the list below to learn what programs are available, and make sure to follow the web links or
call the phone numbers provided for more detailed information. This list is not exhaustive. The information
regarding eligibility requirements, benefit levels, or services provided below may have changed since this
guide was published.
Health Care
All Kids
The state All Kids program offers Illinois children age 18 or younger comprehensive healthcare that
includes doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like
eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. Some families pay monthly premiums for coverage, but rates for middleincome families are significantly lower than they are on the private market. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-2555437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012) for more information or visit the All Kids website at
http://www.allkids.com/.
COBRA Continuation Health Care Coverage
COBRA is a federal law that allows employees who lost employer-sponsored insurance coverage (for
various reasons) to continue their health insurance. The former employee must still pay premiums, but may
be eligible for premium reductions if they meet certain guidelines. For more information, go online at
http://insurance.illinois.gov/healthinsurance/continueCobra.asp.
Family Care Illinois
FamilyCare is a state health insurance program that provides parents and certain caretaker relatives living
with children 18 or younger with healthcare coverage in Illinois. To be eligible, you must be low-income
and meet some immigration requirements. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012) for
more information, or visit the Family Care website at http://www.familycareillinois.com/.
Illinois Healthcare Portal
This portal is a one-stop source for most of your healthcare needs. You can sign-up for affordable health
insurance programs, prescription drug assistance, free breast and cervical cancer screenings, and more, if
eligible. Visit the Illinois Healthcare Portal at http://health.illinois.gov/.
Illinois Rx Buying Club
This program can help you save an average of 20% on hundreds of prescription drugs. If you meet certain
income guidelines, you could receive a discount card to be used at many pharmacies across the U.S. There
is a $10 annual fee. Call 1-866-215-3462 or visit www.illinoisRxBuyingClub.com.
52
Women, Disabled Individuals and Veterans
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
A state assistance program which provides working individuals with a disability the ability to pay a low
monthly premium and receive full medical benefits. Call 1-800-226-0768 (TTY: 1-866-675-8440) or visit
www.hbwdillinois.com for more information.
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
This is an Illinois Department of Public Health program that provides free mammograms, breast exams,
pelvic exams and pap tests, as well as treatment, to all uninsured Illinois women ages 35-64 regardless of
income. Call 1-888-522-1282 (TTY: 1-800-547-0466) or visit www.cancerscreening.illinois.gov for more
information.
Illinois Cares Rx
This program offers low-income seniors and persons with disabilities prescription drug assistance to
address out-of-pocket expenses and gaps in coverage that might exist in the Medicare Part D program. Call
1-800-252-8966 or visit www.illinoiscaresrx.com for more information.
Illinois Healthy Women
A free state healthcare program that covers family planning (birth control) and reproductive health services
for low-income Illinois women ages 19-44. Services include physical exams, pap tests, STI testing,
mammograms and more. Call 1-800-226-0768 or visit www.illinoishealthywomen.com for more
information.
Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
This program offers assistance for Illinois veterans as they transition back to their lives after serving our
country, including screenings, clinical help and referrals for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Call 1-866-554-IWAP (1-866-554-4927) or visit the Illinois Warrior website
at http://www.illinoiswarrior.com/.
Veterans Care
Veterans Care is a state health insurance program for uninsured Illinois veterans who don’t have access to
reliable healthcare. Under this program, veterans pay an affordable monthly premium of $40 or $70
depending on their income, and receive medical, limited dental and vision coverage. Call 1-877-4VETSRX
(1-877-483-8779; TTY: 1-877-204-1012) or visit www.illinoisveterancare.com for more information.
Childcare
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
CCAP provides low-income families or individuals with a family who are working or going to school with
access to quality, affordable child care to help them continue working or going to school. You can receive
vouchers to pay for child care through cost-sharing on a sliding scale based on family size, income, and the
number of children in care. For more information visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) website
at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30355.
You can use the online Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Eligibility Calculator located at
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc/eligcalc.html to see if you are eligible.
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Food and Nutrition
Emergency Food Services
If you need food immediately, there are community resources to help you. To find a food pantry, soup
kitchen, or homeless shelter in your area, visit the Illinois Food Bank Association website at
http://www.illinoisfoodbanks.org/sites.asp.
Food Bank Finder
You can also locate the Feeding America food bank that serves your local community. Visit the online
locator at http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx?state=IL.
Illinois Free School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Each public school is required to provide a free meal to eligible students through National School Lunch
and/or School Breakfast Programs; the Special Milk Program; Illinois Free programs (or any combination
of these programs). To find programs in your area, visit the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
website at http://webprod1.isbe.net/NutSvc/. For more information about all school-based child or other
nutrition programs provided by ISBE, visit http://www.isbe.net/NUTRITION/default.htm#programs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) SNAP program provides low-income people and
families with monthly benefits to buy food. Eligibility is determined by your monthly income and
expenses; the number of persons who live and eat together; and the amount of available liquid assets, such
as money in checking and savings accounts. For more information, including how to apply online and
locate a local DHS office, visit http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357. You can use the online
Food Stamp Eligibility Calculator at http://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/ to estimate your benefits.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
A state food assistance program provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) which
helps low to middle-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5 years old buy healthy
foods like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans, and peanut butter. You can learn more and apply
online at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30513. To find a WIC office close to you, use the
online DHS office locator at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12.
Homeowners
Making Home Affordable
Multiple programs from the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
under the Obama Administration may help you with: keeping up with your mortgage payments while you’re
unemployed; lowering your monthly mortgage payments or interest rates; avoiding foreclosure; or knowing
what to do if your home’s value has fallen or if you have a second mortgage. To explore the many programs
available, go online at http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/Pages/default.aspx.
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Housing
Homeless Prevention Program
The Department of Human Services (DHS) provides funding for programs that help keep individuals and
families in their homes, shorten the time they spend in shelters, and assist in securing affordable housing.
Individuals and families in immediate danger of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness, as well as those
currently homeless, might qualify when they document a temporary economic crisis beyond their control.
They must also demonstrate their ability to meet prospective rental and utility obligations after the
assistance has been granted. For a program directory by county, visit the Department of Human Services
(DHS) webpage at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=41038.
Homeless Youth Services
Provides a place to live and job services for youths between 14- and 20-years-old who lack housing, the
skills to live on their own, and who cannot return home. Parents, guardians, school staff and youths can
find the nearest agency at the Department of Human Services (DHS) webpage at
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32524.
Supportive Housing Program
Provides services such as alcohol and substance abuse counseling and mental health programs while
helping to prevent people from becoming homeless. Job training, transportation, child care and transitional
housing might be available. Services are delivered by local governments, community organizations and notfor-profit agencies. You can apply at your local DHS Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). To
find an office near you, use the online the DHS Office Locator at
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12.
Cash Assistance
Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)
This Department of Human Services (DHS) program helps those who are 65 years or older, blind, or
disabled with monthly cash assistance. A US citizen living in Illinois may be eligible if they receive
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or are ineligible for SSI due to income. Certain immigrants who are
ineligible for SSI due to federal time limits to become U.S. citizens may also qualify. For more information,
visit http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30370.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC is a family tax benefit that can help you reduce the amount of taxes you owe or provide you
with a cash refund if you worked during the past year and you qualify. There is both an Illinois and a
federal EITC, and if you qualify for each separately, you can receive both credits. You can learn more
about the Illinois EITC at the Department of Human Services webpage at
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30365. Learn more about the federal EITC at the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) webpage at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=130102,00.html. You can
also get free tax prep help from January to April at the Center for Economic Progress’ tax sites, which you
can locate by going online at http://www.economicprogress.org/tax-site-finder.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Department of Human Services (DHS) TANF program helps pregnant women and families with
children to pay for food, shelter, utilities, clothing and other expenses by providing monthly cash benefits
for a limited time period. TANF recipients must participate in work and/or education activities or receive
a waiver from participation in order to receive benefits. For more information, including how to apply
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online or locate a DHS office, visit DHS’ website at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30358.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI) may also
help you by providing you monthly cash payments. SSDI is generally for people who have worked, and
have now become disabled and can’t work. SSI is generally for people who have little income and are age
65 or older or blind, or disabled. These programs are administered by the federal government, by the
Social Security Administration. For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/disability/.
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APPENDIX G: UI FINDINGS SAMPLE
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APPENDIX H: WEEKLY BENEFITS AMOUNTS
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60
61
62
63
64
65
66
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APPENDIX I: TELESERVE GUIDE
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70
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