I work 10 month contract as a TA for the school district. Do I qualify for unemployment during this time?

A) Whether you qualify for unemployment benefits during the off-season of a 10-month contract as a TA for the school district depends on a few factors, including your state’s unemployment laws, your earnings during the contract period, and whether you are actively looking for work.

In general, to qualify for unemployment benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be able to work and available for work.
• You must be actively looking for work.
• You must have earned a certain amount of money in covered employment during a recent period of time.

The amount of money you earn during the contract period will determine how much unemployment benefits you receive. In most states, you will receive a weekly benefit that is a percentage of your earnings during the base period. The base period is the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file for benefits.

If you are actively looking for work, you can file for unemployment benefits during the off-season of your contract. However, you may not be eligible for benefits if you are not able to work or available for work. For example, if you are taking a break from work to travel or care for a family member, you may not be eligible for benefits.

To file for unemployment benefits, you will need to contact your state’s unemployment office. The office can provide you with more information about the eligibility requirements and the application process.

Here are some additional tips for filing for unemployment benefits:

• File your claim as soon as possible after you are laid off.
• Be sure to include all of your earnings from covered employment during the base period.
• Provide accurate information about your job search efforts.
• Keep copies of all correspondence with the unemployment office.

If you have any questions about whether you qualify for unemployment benefits, you should contact your state’s unemployment office.