1. What Are Unemployment Benefits?
Unemployment benefits are income support payments provided to workers enrolled in employment insurance while they engage in reemployment activities after losing their jobs. Under the Employment Insurance Act, they support unemployed people’s financial stability and job-seeking efforts. They consist of job-seeking benefits and employment-promotion allowances, with job-seeking benefits accounting for most of the total. Because payments require active reemployment efforts, recipients have obligations such as confirming their unemployment status and completing employment-related training.
Check Your Eligibility
In general, employees must have at least 180 insured employment days in total during the 18 months before leaving their job, be willing and able to work, and actively seek employment. Voluntary resignation may also qualify when an unavoidable reason specified by law is recognized, so do not give up based solely on your own judgment—confirm your situation with an employment center.
Check the Estimated Amount with the Official Calculator
The daily job-seeking benefit amount varies depending on your average wage before leaving your job, the applicable minimum and maximum limits, and your individually assigned number of benefit days. Since the age-based maximum amounts and 2024 figures in the previous article are inaccurate, use the Employment24 simulation calculator and the employment center’s assessment as your reference.
4. Prescribed Number of Benefit Days
Under age 50: less than 1 year, 120 days; 1–3 years, 150 days; 3–5 years, 180 days; 5–10 years, 210 days; 10 years or more, 240 days. Age 50 or older and people with disabilities: less than 1 year, 120 days; 1–3 years, 180 days; 3–5 years, 210 days; 5–10 years, 240 days; 10 years or more, 270 days. The benefit period increases with age and length of enrollment. Older people and people with disabilities who face greater difficulty finding reemployment receive a longer benefit period.
Application Process
Confirm with your company that it has processed your employment separation confirmation and report of loss of insured status, then complete job registration and eligibility-related training through Employment24. Next, submit an application for recognition of eligibility to the designated employment center. The available in-person and online options vary depending on your situation and the latest guidance.
What to Report When Confirming Unemployment Status
Submit the reemployment activities specified in your instructions on the designated unemployment confirmation date, and report all part-time work, short-term employment, and income without omission. The same standard of twice a month does not apply to everyone, so check your individual instructions.