Rhode Island Unemployment

In 2000, the Rhode Island unemployment rate was steady at 2.4%. It went up to 5.5% in July of 2003, and then slowly drop to 4.7% at the end of 2006. In mid-2007 the Rhode Island unemployment rate began rising drastically and by December 2009, it reached an all time of 11.8% over the last 20 years. As of October 2011, the Rhode Island unemployment rate has gone down to 10.4%. 

Unemployment Insurance provides Rhode Island workers temporary or partial wage replacement for individuals that are not currently employed through no fault of their own. The unemployment insurance program works to maintain the economic stability of local communities by protecting the income and purchasing power of an unemployed worker. To be eligible for Rhode Island unemployment insurance benefits, you must meet these eligibility requirements: 

• You are eligible monetarily based on the work performed in a specific one-year period, or the base period (at least $8,880 in a base period or, at least $1480 in one with a total base period taxable wage of at least $2960) 

• You quit your job with a good cause or are fired for reasons other than misconduct

• You are not involved with a labor dispute

• You are actively looking for new employment and are able to work

You should file for Rhode Island unemployment insurance benefits immediately after losing your job unemployed since your claim will become effective the Sunday of the week you file a claim, which will begin your Benefit year. You can file your claim over the phone by calling the Rhode Island’s UI Call Center at (401) 243-9100 between 8AM to 3PM on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, between 8AM to 12PM on Wednesday, or from 9AM to 3PM on Friday. Alternatively, you can use the Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance Internet Claims System to file your unemployment claim online. In order to file your Rhode Island unemployment insurance benefits claim, you will require the following:

• Your name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, driver’s license or ID number, and social security number or alien registration number for non citizens 

• Work employment history for the last two years including full names, address, and phone numbers of all employers 

• Information regarding any depending children under the age of 18

• Financial employments information regarding other received benefits such as unemployment benefits, disability payments, social security, or a retirement pension • Education information

You can collect Rhode Island unemployment up until you have received 36% of your total base period wages, not including the allowance from your dependent. The longest you can claim this amount is 26 weeks, but these can be claimed any time you are unemployed during the benefits year. If you have exhausted your regular Rhode Island unemployment insurance benefits, you may be enrolled either the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation or the State Extended Benefits. However, the Extended Benefits will end on December 13, 2011 and the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation will be phased out in January 2012. After these two expire, no extensions for Rhode Island unemployment benefits will be available.