UI and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you are not working or working reduced hours due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.
The UI program was established as a means to protect those who are involuntarily unemployed from the financial burdens and dangers that come with being unemployed. It is designed to be a short-term assistance program and may be able to help those whose employment has been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions for those impacted by COVID-19. The situation is rapidly evolving, and there is pending legislation at the both the state and federal level on this issue. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) will provide updates regarding any changes to the availability of UI benefits as they potentially occur.
Am I unemployed?
You are unemployed in any week that you do not work and any week for which wages are not payable to you. So, if you are not working and not being paid, you are unemployed for purposes of the UI program. You may also be considered unemployed, if you work less than full time and your gross weekly wages are less than your determined weekly benefit amount. So, if your hours and wages have been reduced, you may also be considered unemployed.
What if I am receiving sick leave, vacation leave, or some other paid benefit while I am off of work?
If you are receiving paid leave, it will be considered wages. If those wages for the week are more than your weekly benefit amount, you will not be eligible for benefits for that week.
Am I able to work?
To receive UI benefits, you must be able to work. For those who are not working due to COVID-19, KDOL is presuming that they are able to work, unless they refuse an offer of suitable employment due to illness or injury.
What does it mean to be available for work?
An individual must also be available for work in order to receive UI benefits. You will be considered available for work, if your unemployment is related to COVID-19, so long as you are taking all necessary steps to return to work for your regular employer and/or have not withdrawn from the labor market.
Do I have to look for work?
If you are unemployed due to COVID-19 and have taken all necessary steps to return to work for your regular employer, you do not have to look for other work.
Do I have to serve a waiting week?
The waiting week requirement for those unemployed due to COVID-19 is waived.
What is required of employers?
All employers must notify their employees of the availability of UI benefits at the time of separation from employment. While not required, employers may also consider filing claims by spreadsheet. For more information visit:
https://www.kansasemployer.gov/uitax/Tax/LayoffSelect.aspx.
Can I apply for unemployment if I am self-employed?
Potentially, yes. If you have worked for an employer who pays unemployment taxes in the last 18 months, you may be eligible. We encourage you to apply. Our staff will determine whether or not you have sufficient insured earnings to support a claim for unemployment benefits.
Can I get unemployment if my work is closed because of COVID-19?
Potentially, yes. To receive unemployment, an individual generally must be not working and not earning money. They must be able to work and must be available for work. Those impacted by COVID-19 may meet these requirements. Because each case must be individually evaluated, you would need to file a claim for benefits to be certain.
Can I get unemployment if my hours have been cut by my employer?
Potentially, yes. There are three important details: First, we will want to know why your hours were cut. If your hours were cut due to no fault of your own, then you may be able to get benefits. Second, how much are your weekly earnings? If your earnings for a week are the same or higher than your weekly benefit amount, then you will be ineligible for unemployment in that week. When you file an initial claim, we will let you know what your weekly benefit amount would be. Finally, you must also be physically able and available for work each week.
What options do I have if I am a "Gig Workers" (Uber, Lyft, Eatstreet, Postmates, Grubhub, etc.)
Gig Workers are considered self-employed in Kansas. If you have worked for an employer who pays unemployment taxes in the last 18 months, you may be eligible. We encourage you to apply. Our staff will determine whether or not you have sufficient insured earnings to support a claim for unemployment benefits.
What if I am a school employee?
School employees are usually subject to unemployment insurance disqualification. However, those provisions apply only to breaks between or within terms that are regularly scheduled. If any employee is off work outside of normal scheduled school breaks, the individual may be eligible for unemployment benefits provided they meet all usual unemployment requirements of being able to work and available for work and report any income they are receiving, if, any.
IMPORTANT: At this time, our Unemployment Contact Center is experiencing extremely high call volumes because of COVID-19. In order to avoid long wait times, please utilize our website as much as you are able. If you are able to file a claim or find an answer to your question online, please utilize this resource and share as needed. A few key steps:
- Disable your pop-up blocker. Please refer to your web browser’s directions on how to do so.
- If you are experiencing difficult accessing our website or a feature of our website, we recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.
- It is best to create an account or login from a desktop/laptop, instead of a cell phone.
- Print or save the confirmation page when you file online as your proof that the claim has been filed. It also has the weekly claims information on there.
For general guidance (including website and how to file for unemployment), please refer to our existing FAQS: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/FAQs.aspx
Do you need to reset your password?
If you have forgotten your password and/or PIN or you believe someone knows your password or PIN, you should reset your password and PIN immediately. To reset your password and PIN, go to the account login page on our website and select Click here to reset your password and PIN. You will be required to provide your user name and your email address. After submitting this information, we will send an email to that address which will contain a temporary password and PIN. You can then log into the unemployment benefits system with your user name and the temporary information. You will be required to change your password and PIN as soon as you log in.
You may also change your password and PIN at any time by simply logging in and selecting the "Change Your Information" option.
