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Expanded Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance
IBEW Local 103 members who have lost work due to COVID-19 will be eligible for expanded Unemployment Insurance (UI). This is a critical step in maintaining a steady income for the duration of COVID-19 work closures. If you have not already, please apply for UI at: www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits
If you have made several attempts to apply for UI and your claim has not been initiated, please contact the union hall at 617-436-3710.
It is important to note that even if you were not fully laid off, if your hours/pay were CUT, or you were forced to QUARANTINE due to the virus, you are STILL ELIGIBLE to collect unemployment. For IBEW Local 103 journeypersons, the expanded UI will likely not cover 100 percent of our industry-leading, standard wages at this time.
The federal Unemployment Insurance expansion provisions do provide:
An extra $600 per week for four months to all eligible participants
An additional 13 weeks of employment eligibility (Meaning a 39 week collection maximum in Massachusetts)
It is important to keep in mind that unemployment insurance is taxed.
When you fill out your initial claim, you will have the option to withhold federal and/or state income tax, or you can choose to not have income tax withheld. If you choose to not have tax withheld, do keep in mind that you will owe that money when you file your 2020 taxes next year and be sure to plan accordingly.
With overwhelmed UI offices, it may take a few tries before getting your application approved, so don’t hesitate to keep following up! If your claim is not initiated after several attempts, call Local 103.
