TennesseeDepartment of Labor

AndWorkforce Development

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ers Rapid Response Coordinator

Unemployment Insurance Representative

Career Center Representative

Human Services Representative

Adult Education Representative

Publication of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

TOOLKITE

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TYour GuideTo GettingBack InThe Workforce

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TS • Unemployment

• Supportive Service

• Jobs4TN

• LWIA and Career Centers

• Hot Jobs

• Education Pays

• Cover Letter

• Preparing a Resume

• Making the Most of a Job Fair

• The Interview

• Starting Your Own Business

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Toolkit aims to provide assistance and guidance on the employment process to Tennesseans.

All 95 counties in Tennessee are served by Department of Labor & Workforce Development Career Center.

Computer WorkstationsAll Tennessee Career Centers offer computers with Internet access

Access to EmployersCareer Center staff can refer you to employers who have open positions for which you qualify

Skills TrainingSeveral types of training are available through the Career Center

Veterans’ ProgramsCareer Centers have veterans’ representatives who team with branches of the military

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SERVICESHealthcare•TennCare•Cover Kids•TENNderCare•Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan•County Health Departments•Health Assist Tennessee•Tennessee Primary Care Association•Department of Human Services•Families First

Food and Nutrition•WIC Program •Food Stamp program•Tennessee's School Nutrition program

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Paying for College & Education Assistance• Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation provides student

financial aid• TN Stars

Other Resources• Refugee Services• Assistance for Homelessness• Veterans Assistance• Mortgage and Foreclosure Consulting (Save My Tennessee

Home)• Tennessee Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Agencies• Public Transportation

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File online or by telephoneGo to https://ui.tn.gov/, Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. call (615) 253-0800 (Nashville area) or (877) 813-0950 (toll-free). We recommend that you file on line as that is the fastest method.

EligibilityTo be eligible for unemployment you must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own and be approved for benefits; have earned sufficient wages during the last 18 months prior to filling a claim; and be physically able and available to work.

Have the following information ready when you file:

• Your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, address, and telephone number, separating employer’s name, address, telephone number, and fax number; last day worked, reason for separation, and last 18 months of employment.

Vacation pay or holiday pay is not reportable.

Severance benefits or wages–in-lieu of notice are considered reportable if equivalent to regular wages.

Drawing from a pension or 401K, to which you contribute is not reportable. A pension which was fully funded by the company is considered reportable.

You cannot remove yourself from the job market unless enrolled in an approved training program.

Unemployment Insurance is taxable income. You can have 10% deducted from your weekly benefit or wait until the end of the year.

You can receive Social Security retirement and Unemployment Insurance benefits at the same time.

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Tennessee Automated Payment (TAP)

•Unemployment Insurance benefits can now be received by a choice of either a debit card or direct deposit

•A TAP card, which is a VISA debit card , will be issued within 7-10 business days from the day your claim is filed. There are some fees that can be incurred with this card. Any information regarding fees will be included in your fulfillment packet which will be mailed to you.

http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/uidebitcard

•Those choosing direct deposit and filing by phone or in person need to immediately go online at https://ui.tn.gov click on View/Update Payment type and follow the step by step directions

•No charges are incurred with direct deposit

•Benefits will be deposited within 48 hours of the first payable week

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A letter in the mail stating the amount of your benefits.This is not an approval letter; it only states the amount of benefits you could be eligible for and a decision letter will follow.

What should I expect after I complete my application?

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Certify Every Week • What do you mean by weekly certification?

1. Answer a series of questions each week regarding eligibility for unemployment

2. To certify either online or by phone, the PIN you created will be needed

3. Certify online at https://ui.tn.gov/ or by calling the Telephone Information and Payment System (TIPS) line at (800) 689-9799

Remember: Wait until the week after you have filed your claim to make your first weekly certification.

• What else am I required to do to continue to be eligible for benefits?

1. You must complete three work searches each week as a condition for receiving unemployment.

2. Document them on a work search log available at http://tdlwd.tn.gov/TUCWorkSearchLog.pdf

Look For Work

Remember: Do not mail work search logs to the department unless requested. Retain copies for your records for three years after your benefit year ends.

• When do I stop my benefits? As soon as you begin earning wages

• Can I earn any money while on unemployment? You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit without it affecting your claim. After you earn more that 25% it starts to subtract from your weekly amount and if you start earning more than your weekly amount your claim will end.

Stop Your Benefits

Restart Your Benefits• Repeat enrollment process