Those who meet the criteria for involuntary separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for unemployment benefits.

As a worker, are you worried that your employer will go out of business due to the pandemic and that you will get laid off, suddenly becoming incomeless and fearing for your livelihood? The Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI) stated that if an insured person is laid off due to business closure, dissolution, losses, business contractions, and other situations of the insured unit, it is an involuntary separation from employment under the Employment Insurance Act. As long as the criteria for unemployment benefits application are met, the insured person can apply for unemployment benefits.

The BLI further explained that if the insured person had participated in the Employment Insurance for a total of 1 year or more within 3 years before the involuntary separation and withdrawal from insurance, and had the ability to work and the willingness to continue working, he/she can bring the proof of employment separation issued by the insured unit, national Identification card, and other materials to a public employment service institution to register for job placement and apply for unemployment benefits in person. When failing to make job placement or vocational training arrangements within 14 days, the public employment service institution shall then issue a letter of unemployment confirmation and request the BLI to issue unemployment benefits.

The unemployment benefits shall be 60% of the insured person’s average monthly insurance salary in the six-month period before employment separation and withdrawal from insurance, and may be paid for up to six months. In the event that the insured person is 45 years old or above when separated from employment and withdrawn from insurance or has proof of mental or physical impairment, payment of unemployment benefits may be extended to a maximum of nine months. Furthermore, during the period when an applicant is receiving unemployment benefits, an extra 10% shall be added to the unemployment benefits for each one of the insured person’s dependents: non-working spouse, minor children, or children with mental or physical impairment. The said extra benefits shall be given for up to two dependents; in other words, the applicant may receive up to 80% of the average monthly insurance salary as the unemployment benefits.