UNEMPLOYMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR OCTOBER 2018 SHUTDOWN

Some unemployment reminders…. YOU MUST FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE WEEK YOU ARE LAID OFF. You can’t file early, and you can’t backdate the following week. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. The hall will have computers and will be open from 8 am to 5:30 pm all week. The Rockford unemployment office will be open all week from 8:30 am to 5 pm. It is recommended that everyone try to login ahead of time. You will need to change your password, and this will save time for everyone. If you come to the hall Monday or Tuesday, you will be expected to use the computer by yourself. Help will be there to answer questions and final check your work. If you need one on one help, please come later in the week. No FCA workers are allowed to scan their UI finding sheets for sub pay until the week of October 29^th! A reminder to all, EVERYONE MUST CERTIFY FOR THIS WEEK TO COUNT AS A WAITING WEEK!!!

The online website is still http://www.ides.illinois.gov. There have been changes made to the website since you last filed. It is easier now to follow (less pages), but many usernames and passwords were accidentally deleted. Please attempt to login before the shutdown week. If unable to, you may need to register again. When filing a claim, the first page is now your address, your tax withholding, and your personal information all together. *In order to claim dependents under 18 you MUST now have the youngest child Social Security number with you when you file your claim.* This is a new change! You are no longer able to claim any dependents without having their SSN when you file.

Next is the employer information page. Your most recent start date is the date when you returned to work after the last shutdown. For A it was 04/03/2017, for B it was 05/10/2017, and for C it was 06/05/2017. Next it asks how many days you have worked since your last start date. As they only care back to July 1, 2017 everyone who has been working will answer 260 days, and then 65 weeks for the number of weeks. (If you have been off work, then subtract that number of days and weeks missed).

Next is the occupation page. DO NOT PICK THE FIRST ANSWER THAT SAYS YOU ARE A UNION MEMBER WHO GETS WORK ASSIGNMENT THROUGH A HIRING HALL! The correct answer will be NONE OF THE ABOVE!!! Underneath that it will ask if you have a return to work. When you answer yes, the next line will ask you when that is (Oct 29 or 31 depending on shift).

The last page is the income and training page. For most people, all of the answers will be “No”. For those who have pensions, please remember to bring all of that information with you when you file (last date worked, day pension began, address and phone number of employer, etc.…) When you hit continue, you will be on the “file my claim” page. Double check the “my employment” tab to make sure that your last actual day of work is properly listed. When you are certain it is right, check the box and click the “file my claim” tab. You will have an option available to print off the claim and I recommend everyone do so.

The general phone number for unemployment is still 1-800-244-5631. Help is also available by calling the Union Hall at 815-544-2111 but I will not likely be able to take any calls due to the number of people we are expecting to come in. Certification instructions will be out the week you are back to work.Hah

                UNITED WE STAND STRONG,                                                      MICHAEL G. MOE

If you have any questions concerning Unemployment please contact Mike Moe, Finacial Secretary, 815-544-2111. For Unit 1 SUB questions please contact the Benefit Reps. Dave Ingram 815-547-2118, Charrise Staten 815-547-2468 or Valerie Hanserd 815-547-2460.