| Appeal |
The formal request by a claimant or employer to have a case reconsidered
by the next higher level authority (see "Hearing"). |
| Base Period |
First
four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the claimant's Benefit Year.
The wages paid in the base period determine the weekly benefit amount. |
| Benefit Year |
The one-year period that begins with the first day of the calendar week
that the claimant files for benefits. If the claimant is still unemployed when the Benefit
Year expires, the claimant should file a new claim. Even if the claimant used all of the
benefits in the first benefit year, the claimant may again be entitled to benefits in the
next Benefit Year provided all requirements are met. |
| Claim Specialist |
The person who specializes in helping the claimant and the employer with
Unemployment Insurance problems and who makes decisions ("Determinations")
regarding the claimant's eligibility and the employer charging. Sometimes referred to as a
"Claim Examiner." |
| Continued
Claims (Request for payment) |
The
biweekly request for payment of unemployment insurance benefits which
requires responses to several eligibility questions for each week that you
are unemployed and requesting benefits. These continued claims are filed
after the initial claim is filed. Normally, you file a continued claim
once every two weeks, which covers a two-week period. However, for the
first week of benefits, the continued claim will only cover a one-week
period. Continued claims may be filed over the telephone (Telecert)
or via the Internet (Webcert)
and must be filed immediately after the last week for which you are
requesting benefits. |
| Determination |
A decision made regarding a claimant's eligibility for benefits. A
monetary determination shows the amount of money the claimant may be eligible to receive;
a benefit determination is a decision about a possible disqualifying factor (quit,
discharge, job refusal, etc.) that may result in the denial of benefits. |
| Division
of Workforce Development |
This
Division has two main functions: 1.To help a claimant find appropriate training programs to improve the
claimant's skills.
2.To help the claimant find a job. |
| DUA |
Disaster Unemployment Assistance - Section 407 of the Disaster Relief Act
of 1974 created a program for the payment of unemployment assistance to unemployed
individuals whose unemployment is the direct result of a major disaster as declared by the
President of the United States. |
| Effective Date |
The first day of the calendar week that the claimant files for
benefits. |
| Extended Benefits |
Additional Federally funded weeks of benefits paid during periods of high
unemployment as provided by the U.S. Congress. |
| Hearing |
A formal meeting held to consider an appeal of a decision concerning
benefits or to resolve a dispute of a material fact between the employer and
employee. |
| Hearing Examiner |
A hearing officer who hears the claimant's or the employer's appeal. |
| Initial
Claim |
The
initial application for unemployment insurance benefits filed by calling a
Maryland Unemployment Insurance Claim Center
or via the Internet Claims Filing System. |
| Overpayment |
Benefits received that the claimant was not entitled to because of a
disqualification, earnings or for other reasons. |
| Partial Benefits |
If the claimant's gross earnings during a week are less than the
claimant's Weekly Benefit Amount plus dependents' allowances, the claimant may be entitled
to a "Partial Payment." Partial payments are usually paid when the claimant has only
part-time work, and the claimant is working all available hours at the part-time work and
is actively seeking full-time work. |
| Penalty |
A condition the claimant must fulfill when the claimant has been
disqualified in order for him/her to be eligible for benefits. |
| Quarter |
The calendar year is divided into four quarters: the first quarter is
January through March, the second quarter is April through June, the third quarter is July
through September, and the fourth quarter is October through December. |
| TRA |
The Federal Trade Readjustment Act which provides benefits to persons
affected by foreign imports. |
| UCFE |
Unemployment
Compensation for Federal Employees which is the benefit program for former federal
employees. |
| UCX |
Unemployment
Compensation for Ex-Service Personnel which is the benefit program for ex-military
personnel. |
| Weekly Benefit Amount
(WBA) |
The
amount of money to which a claimant may be entitled each week. The amount is based on the
claimant's covered wages paid during the Base Period. |
| Week Ending Date |
For
our records, the benefit week runs from Sunday through Saturday. The week ending date is
always a Saturday date. |
