Seasonal Work and Unemployment Insurance: Rules for School Employees
School employees often face unique challenges when it comes to Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims due to their distinctive work schedules, which include extended periods of time off for summer and winter breaks. These breaks result in specific eligibility requirements for UI benefits.
Who is a school employee?
A school employee is defined as any person who provides services within an educational institution. School employees can be classified as professional or non-professional. Professional school employees include those who provide instructional, research, or administrative services, while non-professional school employees encompass all other functions.
When is a school employee not eligible for unemployment insurance?
Because of their unique work schedules, school employees must meet specific eligibility requirements for UI benefits. In particular, school employees cannot use wages earned during a recess period (the time between academic terms) to file a UI claim. Additionally, substitute teachers who are offered a position but not given a definite start date are not eligible for UI benefits, as they are deemed to have reasonable assurance of returning to work.
A school employee is not eligible for UI benefits under the following conditions:
- A claim is filed during a recess period.
- An offer of return to work is made by a school employer, which may include a reasonable assurance (whether written, verbal, or implied).
- Only school salaries in the base period of the claim are used.
When is a school employee eligible for unemployment insurance?
There are circumstances under which school employees are eligible for UI benefits. Specifically, they may use non-school wages to file a claim if these wages meet regular eligibility requirements. Additionally, if a school employee's job ends before the next term begins, they may receive benefits for the remainder of the break period, provided all other eligibility criteria are met.
To expedite the application process, it is important for school employees to submit a Notice of Reduction in Force or a Notice of Non-Renewal from their employer when applying for unemployment benefits.
Non-professional school employees may also be eligible to receive retroactive benefits if:
- They were fired by the school's employer,
- Were not previously disqualified for benefits,
- They were certified for benefits during the recess period,
- You met all general UI benefit requirements during the break period and
- Have a copy of your Notice of Reduction in Force or Notice of Non-Renewal, if applicable.
By understanding specific eligibility requirements and knowing when they can and cannot claim benefits, school employees can better manage their financial stability during periods of unemployment. Ensuring proper documentation and knowledge of eligibility criteria will help streamline the application process and secure necessary support during these times of transition.
Source: Division of Unemployment Insurance | Information for teachers and other school employees (nj.gov)