How long will I receive unemployment benefits in Maine?

The maximum amount of benefits you can receive, as well as the length of time that you may receive benefits, depends on your individual earnings, but is limited to a maximum of 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. Not all individuals qualify for all 26 weeks. Not all weeks need to be used consecutively, but must be used within the benefit year.

What is the ‘base period’ for unemployment benefits?

The base period is the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of your benefit year. We will use the last four completed quarters if you are not eligible using the regular base period quarters.

Do I need an attorney for my hearing for unemployment benefits?

See full answerYou have the right to hire an attorney or another individual who you authorize to represent you at your hearing, at your own expense. You are not required to have an attorney or representative at the hearing and, in fact, most parties do not have representatives. The Administrative Hearing Officer will ensure that each party, whether represented or not, receives a fair and impartial hearing. If you do have legal representation, you must ensure that your attorney is given notice of the hearing in time to prepare. The Division of Administrative Hearings will NOT postpone a hearing because a party or their attorney would like more time to prepare.

What if I don’t answer the call for the hearing for unemployment benefits?

It is important that you are ready and prepared to go forward with your hearing at the scheduled time. If you are the appealing party and you do not appear for your hearing – whether it is by telephone or in person – YOUR APPEAL WILL BE DISMISSED. If you are the non-appealing party and you do not appear, the hearing will continue without you. Your failure to appear may result in a denial of further rights of appeal.

When will I get my decision on unemployment benefits after the hearing?

The decision will be sent to you in writing typically within two weeks of the hearing date. The Division staff cannot advise you of the results of the decision verbally.

Can I have a representative at the hearing for unemployment benefits?

The Administrative Hearing Officer will ensure that each party, whether represented or not, receives a fair and impartial hearing. You may choose to have a representative for the hearing. The representative would be the person who could question you, the opposing party and any witnesses. Representatives typically do not provide testimony.

How do I request a subpoena for my unemployment benefits hearing?

See full answerIf you ask someone to appear as a witness and they refuse, you may request that they be subpoenaed. This means they will be required by law to appear. You also have the right to request a subpoena for written documents or other evidence that you are unable to obtain on your own. Subpoena requests may be submitted in writing to the Division of Administrative Hearings and should include a detailed explanation of the evidence being requested and the reason you need that evidence for your hearing. You must also include a full name and address of the witness you are requesting to be subpoenaed, or the name and address of the individual or entity that possesses the documents you are seeking for the hearing.

How to contact Maine unemployment?

Contact the Maine Department of Labor. Telephone Number for New & Weekly Unemployment Claims. Toll-Free: 1-800-593-7660 (Customer service available Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.) TTY/Relay for Deaf and hard of hearing: Maine relay 711. Mailing Addresses for Unemployment Claims Centers.

What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Maine?

Have earned qualifying wages

  • Are unemployed through no fault of their own
  • Are able and obtainable to work full-time and
  • Are keenly looking for full-time work

    • What is the waiting period for unemployment in Maine?

    Your Social Security Number (and Alien Registration Number if applicable);

  • The business name,address and telephone number of each place you worked during the past 18 months; and
  • The jobs you held and the dates you worked (for each employer).
  • Dependent Information: Social Security number (s) of children whom you’re the main support of.

    • What are the unemployment benefits in Maine?

    – You must have worked and earned enough in employment wages over the last 18 months ( at least ~$1,700/calendar quarter in at least 2 of the last 5 quarters, and – You lost your job through no fault of your own – You must be actively seeking work – You must be able and available to work