AL Code § 25-4-75 (2021)
2021 Code of Alabama|Title 25 - Industrial Relations and Labor.|Chapter 4 - Unemployment Compensation.|Article 4 - Benefits.|Section 25-4-75 - Extension of Benefit Period.

Section 25-4-75Extension of benefit period. (a) Applicability of section. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the duration of benefits as provided in Section 25-4-74 shall be extended as provided in this section. (b) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean: (1) EXTENDED BENEFIT PERIOD. A period which: a. Begins with the third week after a week for which there is a state "on" indicator; and b. Ends with either of the following weeks, whichever occurs later: 1. The third week after the first week for which there is a state "off" indicator; or 2. The thirteenth consecutive week of such period; provided, that no extended benefit period may begin by reason of a state "on" indicator before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this state. 3. The eligibility period for the payment of extended benefits using the total unemployment rate begins on or after February 1, 2009, and ends four weeks prior to the last week for which 100 percent federal sharing funding is available under Section 2005(a) of Public Law No. 111-5, without regard to the extension of federal sharing for certain claims as provided under Section 2005(c) of such law. (2) STATE "ON" INDICATOR. There is a "state 'on' indicator" for this state for a week if the secretary determines, in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks, the rate of insured unemployment (not seasonally adjusted) under this section: a. For any weeks beginning prior to September 26, 1982, equaled or exceeded that required by this section prior to such date. b. For any week beginning on September 26, 1982, or thereafter: 1. Equaled or exceeded 120 percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding 13-week period ending in each of the preceding two calendar years; and 2. Equaled or exceeded five percent; provided, that with respect to benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after September 25, 1982, the determination of whether there has been a "state 'on' indicator" beginning any extended benefit period shall be made under this paragraph b. as if this paragraph b. did not contain subparagraph 1 thereof and the "five" contained in subparagraph 2 thereof were "six"; or 3. With respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after February 1, 2009, and remaining in effect until four weeks prior to the last week for which 100 percent federal sharing funding is available under Section 2005(a) of Public Law No. 111-5, without regard to the extension of federal sharing for certain claims as provided under Section 2005(c) of such law: a. The average rate of total unemployment (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all states are published before the close of such week equals or exceeds 6.5 percent. b. The average rate of total unemployment in the state (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the 3-month period referred to in paragraph a., equals or exceeds 110 percent of such average for either or both of the corresponding 3-month periods ending in the two preceding calendar years. c. With respect to compensation for weeks of unemployment beginning after December 17, 2010, and remaining in effect until December 31, 2011, or as permitted by federal law, the average rate of total unemployment in the state (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the three-month period referred to in paragraph a., equals or exceeds 110 percent of such average for any or all of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years. d. For the purposes of this section, a "high unemployment period" exists during any period during which an extended benefit period would be in effect by substituting "8 percent" for "6.5 percent" in paragraph a. (3) STATE "OFF" INDICATOR. There is a "state 'off' indicator" for this state for a week if the secretary determines, in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks: a. For any weeks beginning prior to September 26, 1982, the rate of insured unemployment under this section was less than that required by this section prior to such date. b. For any weeks beginning on September 26, 1982, or thereafter, the requirements of either subparagraph 1 or 2 of paragraph (2)b. of this subsection (b) were not satisfied, except that the six percent provision does not apply in determining an "off" indicator. (4) RATE OF INSURED UNEMPLOYMENT. For the purpose of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection (b), such term means the percentage derived by dividing: a. The average weekly number of individuals filing claims for regular state benefits in this state for weeks of unemployment with respect to the most recent 13-consecutive-week period, as determined by the secretary on the basis of his reports to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, by b. The average monthly employment covered under this chapter for the first four of the most recent six completed calendar quarters ending before the end of such 13-week period. (5) REGULAR BENEFITS. Benefits payable to an individual under this chapter or under any other state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 85), other than extended benefits. (6) EXTENDED BENEFITS. Benefits (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 85) payable to an individual under the provisions of this subsection for weeks of unemployment in his eligibility period. (7) ELIGIBILITY PERIOD OF AN INDIVIDUAL. The period consisting of the weeks in his benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period and, if his benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such extended benefit period or during an extended benefit period provided for in Section 2005(b) of Public Law No. 111-5. (8) EXHAUSTEE. An individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period: a. Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him under this chapter or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under 5 U.S.C. 85) in his current benefit year that includes such week; provided, that for the purposes of this subdivision (8), an individual shall be deemed to have received all of the regular benefits that were available to him although as a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages and/or employment that were not considered in the original monetary determination in his benefit year, he may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular benefits; or b. His benefit year having expired prior to such week, has no, or insufficient, wages on the basis of which he could establish a new benefit year that would include such week; and c.1. Has no right to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Automotive Products Trade Act of 1965, and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the U.S. Secretary of Labor; and 2. Has not received and is not seeking unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada; but, if he is seeking such benefits and the appropriate agency finally determines that he is not entitled to benefits under such law, he is considered an exhaustee. (9) STATE LAW. The unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the U.S. Secretary of Labor under Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. (c) Effect of state law provisions relating to regular benefits on claims for, and the payment of, extended benefits. Except when the result would be inconsistent with the other provisions of this section, as provided in the regulations of the secretary, the provisions of this chapter which apply to claims for, or the payment of, regular benefits shall apply to claims for, and the payment of, extended benefits. (d) Eligibility requirements for extended benefits. An individual shall be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period only if the secretary finds that with respect to such week: (1) He is an "exhaustee," as defined in subdivision (b)(8) of this section. (2) He has satisfied the requirements of this chapter for the receipt of regular benefits that are applicable to individuals claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to a disqualification for the receipts of benefits. (e) Weekly extended benefit amount. The weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in his eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly benefit amount payable to him during his applicable benefit year. (f) Total extended benefit amount. The total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his applicable benefit year shall be the lesser of the following amounts: (1) 50 percent, rounded to the nearest multiple of $1, of the total amount of regular benefits which were payable to him under this chapter in his applicable benefit year; or (2) Thirteen times the weekly benefit amount which was payable to an individual under this chapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year. (3) Effective with respect for weeks in a high unemployment period, the total extended benefit amounts shall be applied by substituting "80 percent" for "50 percent" in subdivision (1) and "Twenty" for "Thirteen" in subdivision (2). (g) Beginning and termination of extended benefit period. (1) Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in this state, as a result of a state "on" indicator, or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in this state as a result of a state "off" indicator, the secretary shall make an appropriate public announcement. (2) Computations required by the provisions of subdivision (b)(4) of this section shall be made by the secretary, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor. (h) Cessation of extended benefits when paid under an interstate claim in a state where extended benefit period is not in effect. (1) Except as provided in subdivision (h)(2), an individual shall not be eligible for extended benefits for any week if: a. Extended benefits are payable for such week pursuant to an interstate claim filed in any state under the interstate benefit payment plan; and b. No extended benefit period is in effect for such week in such state. (2) The provisions of subdivision (h)(1) shall not apply with respect to the first two weeks for which extended benefits are payable (determined without regard to this subsection) pursuant to an interstate claim filed under the interstate benefit payment plan to the individual from his extended benefit amount established for the benefit year. (i) Restrictions on entitlement during eligibility period. (1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, payment of any extended benefits under this section shall not be made to any individual for any week of unemployment in his eligibility period: a. during which he fails to accept any offer of suitable work as defined in subdivision (i)(3) or fails to apply for any such suitable work to which he was referred by the secretary; or b. during which he fails to actively seek work, except as provided in subdivision (a)(5) of Section 25-4-77, but only with regard to the exception for the appearance for jury duty as provided therein. (2) If any individual is ineligible for extended benefits for any week by reason of a failure described in subdivision (i)(1), the individual shall be ineligible to receive extended benefits for any week during a period which: a. begins with the week following the week in which such failure occurs and b. does not end until such individual has been employed in at least four weeks which begin after such failure and the total of the remuneration earned by the individual for being so employed is not less than four times his extended weekly benefit amount for his benefit year. (3) For the purposes of this subsection (i), the term "suitable work" means, with respect to any individual, any work which is within such individual's capabilities; except that, if the individual furnishes evidence satisfactory to the secretary that such individual's prospects for obtaining work in his customary occupation within a reasonably short period are good, the determination of whether any work is suitable work shall be made in accordance with other provisions of this chapter. (4) Extended benefits shall not be denied under paragraph a. of subdivision (i)(1) to any individual for any week by reason of a failure to accept an offer of, or apply for, suitable work: a. If the gross average weekly remuneration payable to such individual for the position does not exceed the sum of: 1. the individual's extended weekly benefit amount for the benefit year plus; 2. the amount if any of supplemental unemployment benefits (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(17)(D)) payable to such individual for such week; b. if the position was not offered to such individual in writing or was not listed with the state employment service; c. if such failure would not result in a denial of benefits under the other provisions of this chapter to the extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with subdivisions (4) and (5) of this subsection (i); or d. if the position pays wages less than the higher of the minimum wages provided under Section 6 (a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, without regard to any exemption or the applicable state or local minimum wage, if any. (5) For purposes of this subsection (i), an individual shall be treated as actively engaged in seeking work during any week if the individual has engaged in a systematic and sustained effort to obtain work during such week, and provides tangible evidence to the secretary that he has engaged in such effort during such week. (j) Referral of extended claimant to job. Extended benefit claimants shall be referred to any available suitable work to which the definition in subdivision (i)(4) does not apply. (k) Employment required after involuntary separation. No provision of Section 25-4-78 which terminates a disqualification for regular or extended benefits because he or she has voluntarily left employment, was suspended or discharged for misconduct (in any of the degrees defined in Section 25-4-78) or failed to accept an offer of or apply for suitable work shall apply for purposes of determining eligibility for extended benefits unless the disqualification imposed has been terminated based upon employment in four weeks and remuneration of an amount which equals or exceeds four times the individual's weekly benefit amount subsequent to the effective date of such disqualification. (l) Effective date of added provisions. The provisions of subsections (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) of this section shall apply to weeks of unemployment which begin after March 31, 1981, except the provisions of subsection (i), (j), and (k) shall not apply to claims for weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993, and before January 1, 1995. During this period, the provisions of this chapter applicable to claims for regular compensation shall apply. For weeks beginning on or after January 1, 1995, the provisions of subsections (i), (j), and (k) shall apply. (m) Effect of receipt of trade readjustment allowances. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, if the benefit year of any individual ends within an extended benefit period, the remaining balance of extended benefits that such individual would, but for this subsection (m), be entitled to receive in that extended benefit period, with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after the end of the benefit year, shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the product of the number of weeks for which the individual received any amounts as trade readjustment allowances within that benefit year, multiplied by the individual's weekly benefit amount for extended benefits. (Acts 1939, No. 497, p. 721; Code 1940, T. 26, §209; Acts 1943, No. 310, p. 281, §5; Acts 1951, No. 565, p. 990, §2; Acts 1961, Ex. Sess., No. 274, p. 2298, §7; Acts 1971, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 17, p. 57; Acts 1971, No. 88, p. 349, §4; Acts 1978, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, p. 5, §8; Acts 1981, No. 81-424, p. 665; Acts 1982, No. 82-370, p. 524, §1; Acts 1984, No. 84-73, p. 94, §6; Acts 1993, No. 93-253, p. 357, §1; Acts 1994, No. 94-718, p. 1390, §1; Act 2009-814, p. 2530, §1; Act 2010-505, p. 811, §1; Act 2011-564, p. 1076, §1.)