Requirements For Maintaining EUC Benefits

There are new requirements for maintaining Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits under the provisions of the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012” (P.L. 112-96). 

If you are eligible to receive EUC benefits, you may be selected to participate in the EUC Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (EUC REA) program, which is funded by the federal government to help claimants get back to work as quickly as possible. If selected, you will receive a letter asking you to attend an EUC Orientation at a One-Stop Career Center within 3 weeks of the receipt of the EUC REA notification. You must also attend an in-person Reemployment Eligibility Assessment (REA) with a career counselor that will be scheduled when you attend the EUC Orientation. 

To maintain your eligibility for EUC benefits, you must:

1. Call the number provided to schedule a mandatory two-hour EUC Orientation session at a One-Stop Career Center by the date specified in the letter.  If you do not participate in this EUC Orientation, you will lose one week of benefits.
2. Register with JobQuest (www.mass.gov/jobquest) prior to attending the EUC Orientation.  JobQuest is a free Online Job Bank that will direct you to open jobs for which you may be qualified.

At the Orientation, you will:

1. Develop a Career Action Plan to assist you in your job search.
2. Review your weekly Work Search Log (www.mass.gov/dua/worksearch). This should include all of the details (outlined on the back of the page) of your efforts to find work. Remember to bring your Work Search Log, résumé, and a copy of your DD214 (veterans only) to your orientation.
3. Set up a separate in-person appointment, called a Reemployment Eligibility Assessment (REA), during which you will meet with a Career Counselor at the Career Center. Again, bring your Work Search Log, résumé, and anything else that demonstrates that you have fulfilled your Career Action Plan. The REA must be completed by the date specified in the letter.

Failure to take these steps without documented good cause will result in the loss of all of your unemployment benefits until you comply with all requirements.
 

Additional Information Regarding Your EUC Benefits

Work Search Requirements

Keep a copy of all your work search contacts and activities for each week that you claim EUC benefits.  Include the employer’s name, date of contact, how you applied, the kind of work applied for, and the results of your contact or activity.  You will be required to submit your Work Search Log on a regular basis. You may download a copy of the Work Search Log at www.mass.gov/dua/worksearch or obtain the Work Search Log at your local Career Center.

Penalties for Failure to Participate

Failure to attend the Orientation, participate in Reemployment Services, or complete a Reemployment Eligibility Assessment Review (REA) will cause a loss of your EUC benefits.  Under the provisions of “the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012” (P.L. 112-96), the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will impose a one-week disqualification from benefits if you fail to schedule and attend an EUC Orientation within the next 3 weeks.  Failure to attend your scheduled REA and complete the required job search activities provided at the orientation within the next 6 weeks will result in an additional disqualification until these requirements are met, unless you provide documented good cause.

Returning to Work?

If you have returned to full-time work, you may be exempt from the EUC REA requirements.  In this case, please call your local Career Center (reference EUC) to notify us of your new employment status.

Definitions of EUC and EB

The Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program offers separate benefit tiers to claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Extended Benefits - A supplemental program that pays extended compensation, during a period of specified high unemployment.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the maximum number of weeks of unemployment benefits available in Massachusetts?

Individuals are eligible for a maximum of 73 weeks of benefits in Massachusetts.  

2. I received a monetary determination for EUC Tier I effective February 26, 2012.  Will I be able to receive Tier II and Tier III once Tier I is exhausted? 

As long as Massachusetts continues to be eligible for Tiers II and III, you may be eligible for these additional tiers if you remain unemployed and are able, willing and actively looking for work.  However, Massachusetts’ eligibility for Tiers II and III depends on the state’s unemployment rate.

3. Is the federal-state Extended Benefits (EB) still available in Massachusetts? 

Given the improving unemployment rate in Massachusetts, we no longer meet the federal requirements under this new bill.  As a result, EB has triggered off in Massachusetts. The last effective date to file for EB is April 1, 2012 and the last payment date is April 7, 2012.

4. Recently I received a letter from DUA indicating that I am eligible for 13 weeks of EB.  Based on the current program’s last payment date, will I still be able to receive all 13 weeks? 

EB triggered off in Massachusetts effective March 8, 2012.  The last payable week on the EB program is April 7, 2012.  EB benefits cannot be paid beyond the last payable week of the program, regardless of any remaining benefit credit.  

5. I have exhausted all tiers of EUC and federal-state Extended Benefits (EB) – what other benefits or options are available to me? 

Unfortunately, there are no additional benefits available to claimants who have exhausted all EUC Tiers and EB benefits. The payroll tax cut extension bill did not provide additional weeks of benefits, only an extension of the EUC application deadline and new requirements for meeting the tiers in individual states. 

Please be aware that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and partner organizations offer a wide variety of services – from basic needs, health care, counseling, employment and training assistance and more – to assist individuals who have exhausted or will soon exhaust their unemployment insurance claim.  Please contact Mass 211 (2-1-1) or visit www.mass211help.org or any one of the agencies listed in the attached flyer.   

Assistance for Job Search – You are eligible for assistance with your job search and retraining needs at any of the 34 One-Stop Career Centers located across the Commonwealth.  To find the Career Center near you, visit www.mass.gov/careercenters or call 877-672-5627.