Maine Employment Security Act Poster Mandatory

Me. I-1 (rev. 11/2019)	
Maine Employment Security Law	
Maine Department of Labor
Bureau of Unemployment Compensation	
 
 	
97 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333-0097	
Full- and Part-Time Workers	
Basic eligibility requirements
Earnings during the base period:  The “base period” is 
a one-year period that includes four calendar quarters. 
To establish a claim, an individual must have earned two 
times the annual average weekly wage in Maine in each of 
two different calendar quarters, and a total of six times the 
annual average weekly wage in Maine in the whole base 
period. In most cases, the Department of Labor has your 
wage information on file. If it is not on file, the Department 
will take steps to obtain it.
 
Separation:  If you were laid off from your last job due to a 
lack of work, no additional investigation is required. If you 
separated from your last job for reasons other than lack of 
work, you will be scheduled for a fact-finding interview. A 
determination will then be made regarding your eligibility 
for benefits.
 
Weekly requirements:  Weekly eligibility requirements 
include being able to work and being available for work, 
making an active search for work (unless your work 
search has been “waived”), not refusing offers of suitable 
work or referral to suitable job opportunities from the 
CareerCenters.
 
Aliens:  If you are not a U.S. Citizen, your Social Security 
Number and/or your Alien Permit number will be checked 
with the United States Citizenship and Immigration 
Services.
 
Unemployment benefits are taxable:  Unemployment 
benefits are taxable and have to be reported when you file 
your income tax forms.
 
Child support:  If you owe child support that you pay to 
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), up 
to fifty percent (50%) of your unemployment check may be 
withheld and sent to DHHS.
 
Benefits for partial unemployment:  An employer shall 
issue a properly completed partial unemployment claim 
form to each employee who is customarily employed 	
 	
full-time and who is given less than full-time hours during 
a week due to lack of work, and who is not separated from 
that employer.
How to file a claim for unemployment benefits  	
 	
All new and reactivated claims for unemployment benefits 
are filed either online, telephone or by mail.  Do not delay 
in filing your claim once you are out of work. 	
 	
Claims cannot be backdated. 
When filing, you will need to know your Social Security 
Number.  Also, you should have the names and addresses 
of all employers for whom you worked, and your dates of 
employment in the last 18 months.
 	
 	
  To file online:  	www.maine.gov/reemployme	
 This is the fastest, easiest way to file.
 	
 	
  To file by phone: 1-800-593-7660 	 	
 TTY Users Call Maine Relay 711.
All individuals filing for Unemployment Insurance      
benefits are required by law to be registered with the    
Maine JobLink. Visit  www.mainecareercenter.gov	
 	
to access Maine JobLink.
We provide language interpreter services in	
 	
approximately 140 commonly spoken languages.       
Arrangements will be made to have an interpreter	
 	
assist you when you call the Unemployment Claims Center. 
To claim by mail:  In some cases, your employer will	 	
give you a claim form. Mail your initial claim form to    
the Unemployment Claims Center listed below. This poster is designed to notify individuals of their rights 
regarding the filing of claims for unemployment benefits.  
It does not have the force or effect of law.  For more 
information, call 1-800-593-7660 toll free.	
Rules Governing The 
Administration of the 
Employment Security Law 
states every employer shall 
post and maintain such 
notices to its workers.	
This poster is available online at no charge and may be copied:  https://www.maine.gov/labor/posters/	      	
The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity in employment and programs.  
Auxiliary aids and services are available to people with disabilities upon request.