It is a federal requirement that you must be able and available to accept suitable work in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. At this time the work search waiver – which waives the requirement to be actively seeking work – is still in place for all claimants.
You must be physically and mentally able to work and accept full-time or part-time work of at least 20 hours per week. If you are ill, injured, on a leave of absence, or unable to work for any other reason, you may not be considered able and may not be eligible for benefits for that period of time.
Examples of reasons you may not be able to accept work include, but are not limited to:
- Out of country travel
- Illness
- Injury
- Hospitalization
- Incarceration
- School attendance
- Loss of childcare
- Loss of transportation
You may be required to provide evidence of your ability to work, such as a doctor's note.