§ 51-107 — Determination of amount and duration of benefits.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
(a) On and after January 1, 1938, benefits shall become payable from the Benefit Account of the District Unemployment Fund.
(1) Subject to the limitations set forth in this section, an individual's weekly benefit amount shall be equal to one twenty-sixth (computed to the next higher multiple of $1) of the individual's total wages for insured work paid during the quarter of the individual's base period in which such total wages were highest.
(2) Effective October 1, 2016, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be $425.
(A) Effective January 1, 2018, and for each calendar year thereafter, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be determined by the Director of the Department of Employment Services, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, by using the Department of Labor State Benefit Financing Model.
(B) The Director shall consider increasing the maximum weekly benefit amount in proportion to any increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers in the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, published by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, in making a determination, but may increase the maximum weekly benefit amount by a lesser amount, or may not increase it, when necessary to preserve an adequate balance in the District Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund through the Financial Plan.
(i) By September 30, 2017, and by September 30 of each subsequent year, the Director shall recommend to the Mayor the maximum weekly benefit amount, which shall become the maximum weekly benefit amount for the next calendar year, unless the Council passes a resolution disapproving the Director's recommendation pursuant to sub-subparagraph (ii) of this subparagraph.
(ii) The Mayor shall promptly submit the recommendation, with a proposed resolution, to the Council for a 45-day period of review. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the recommendation, by resolution, within the 45-day period of review, the recommendation shall be deemed approved.
(iii) If the Council passes a resolution of disapproval, the maximum weekly benefit amount then in effect shall continue in effect for the next calendar year.
(1) To qualify for benefits an individual must have:
(A) Been paid wages for employment of not less than $1300 in 1 quarter in his base period;
(B) Been paid wages for employment of not less than $1950 in not less than 2 quarters in such period; and
(C) Received during such period wages the total amount of which is equal to at least one and one-half times the amount of his wages actually received in the quarter in such period in which his wages were the highest.
(2) If a claimant satisfies the above except that he received wages over the amount necessary to become eligible for maximum benefits, in the quarter in which his wages were the highest, then the additional wages received in such quarter shall not be considered in determining eligibility. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection, any otherwise qualified individual, the total amount of whose wages during such period is less than the amount required to have been received during such period under such paragraph, may qualify for benefits, if the difference between the amounts so required to have been received and the total amount of his wages during such period does not exceed $70, but the amount of his weekly benefit, as computed under subsection (b) of this section, shall be reduced by $1 if such difference does not exceed $35, or by $2 if such difference is more than $35. Wages received by an individual in the period intervening between the end of his last base period and the beginning of his last benefit year shall not be available for benefit purposes in a subsequent benefit year unless he has, subsequent to the commencement of such last benefit year, performed services for which he received wages for employment as defined in this subchapter, in an amount equal to at least 10 times the weekly benefit amount for which he qualifies in such last benefit year. Benefits payable to an individual with respect to a week shall be reduced by any amount received or applied for with respect to such week as a retirement pension or annuity under a public or private retirement plan or system provided, or contributed to, by any base period employer; except that no reduction shall be made under this sentence for any amount received under title II of the Social Security Act. For benefit years beginning on or after July 1, 2004, benefits payable to an individual who applied for or is receiving a retirement pension or annuity under a public or private retirement plan or system provided or contributed to by any base period employer shall, under duly prescribed regulations, be reduced (but not below zero) by the prorated weekly amount of such retirement pension or annuity which is reasonably attributable to such week, provided that the claimant has not made contributions to the pension or annuity. An amount received with respect to a period other than a week shall be prorated by weeks. When an individual’s weekly benefit amount is reduced by a pension, the individual’s maximum weekly benefit amount shall be deducted from his total amount of benefits determined pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. Benefits payable to an individual with respect to a week shall be reduced by the amount of wages received in lieu of notice of dismissal, defined as dismissal payments that the employer is not legally required to make.
(d) Any otherwise eligible individual shall be entitled during any benefit year to a total amount of benefits equal to 26 times his weekly benefit amount ; provided, that the maximum duration of benefits determined on any initial claim made prior to March 15, 1983, shall continue to be 34 weeks during the benefit year to which the initial claim relates. Such total amount of benefits, if not a multiple of $1, shall be computed to the next lower multiple of $1.
(e) Any individual who is unemployed in any week as defined in § 51-101(5) and who meets the conditions of eligibility for benefits of § 51-109 and is not disqualified under the provisions of § 51-110 shall be paid with respect to such week an amount equal to the individual’s weekly benefit amount less any earnings payable to the individual with respect to such week deductible in accordance with the following formula: $50 will be added to the weekly benefit amount; from the resulting sum will be subtracted 66% of any earnings payable to the individual for such week. The resulting benefits, if not a multiple of $1, shall be computed to the next lower multiple of $1. In no event shall the amount paid for any week exceed the individual’s established weekly benefit amount.
(f) In addition to the benefits payable under the foregoing subsections of this section, each eligible individual who is unemployed in any week shall be paid with respect to such week $5 for each dependent relative, but not more than $20 shall be paid to an individual as dependent’s allowance with respect to any 1 week of unemployment nor shall any weekly benefit which includes a dependent’s allowance be paid in the amount of more than the established maximum benefit amount. An individual’s number of dependents shall be determined as of the day with respect to which he first files a valid claim for benefits in any benefit year, and shall be fixed for the duration of such benefit year. The dependent’s allowance is not to be taken into consideration in calculating the claimant’s total amount of benefits in subsection (d) of this section; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to claims for benefit years commencing on or after January 5, 1997.
(f-1) For claims for benefit years commencing after August 9, 2009, and before January 1, 2011, in addition to benefits payable under subsections (a) through (e) of this section, each eligible individual who is unemployed in any week shall be paid with respect to that week $15 for each dependent relative, but no more than $50 or 1/2 of the individual’s weekly benefit amount, whichever is less, with respect to any 1 week of unemployment. The amount of the dependent’s allowance paid to an individual shall not be charged to the individual account of an employer. The number of dependents of an individual shall be determined as of the day with respect to which the individual first files a valid claim for benefits in any benefit year and shall remain fixed for the duration of the benefit year. The dependent’s allowance shall not be taken into consideration in the total amount of benefits calculated pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, this subsection provides a program of extended benefits on and after January 1, 1972.
(1) As used in this subsection, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(A) “Extended benefit period” means a period which:
(i) Begins with the third week after a week in which a state “on” indicator occurs; and
(ii) Ends with either of the following weeks, whichever occurs later:
(I) The third week after the first week for which there is a state “off ” indicator; or
(II) The 13th consecutive week of such period; provided, that no extended benefit period may begin by reason of a state “on” indicator before the 14th week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to the District.
(B) For weeks commencing after September 25, 1982, there is a state “on” indicator for the District for a week if the rate of insured unemployment under this subchapter for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks:
(i) Equaled or exceeded 120% of the average of such rates for the corresponding 13-week period ending in each of the preceding 2 calendar years; and
(ii) Equaled or exceeded 5%; provided, that with respect to benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning on September 26, 1982, the determination of whether there is a state “on” or “off ” indicator beginning or ending any extended benefit period shall be made under this subsection as if:
(I) This subparagraph did not contain sub-subparagraph (i) thereof; and
(II) The figure “5” contained in sub-subparagraph (ii) thereof was “6”: except, that notwithstanding any such provision of this subsection any week for which there would otherwise be a state “on” indicator shall continue to be such a week and shall not be determined to be a week for which there is a state “off ” indicator.
(C) There is a state “off ” indicator for the District for a week if, for the period consisting of that week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks, either sub-subparagraph (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph was not satisfied.
(D) “Rate of insured unemployment”, for purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph, means the percentage derived by dividing: (i) the average weekly number of individuals filing claims for regular benefits in the District for weeks of unemployment with respect to the most recent 13-consecutive-week period as determined on the basis of reports to the Secretary of Labor, by (ii) the average monthly employment covered under this subchapter for the first 4 of the most recent 6 completed calendar quarters ending before the end of such 13-week period.
(E) “Regular benefits” means benefits payable to an individual under this subchapter or under any state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to Chapter 85 of Title 5, United States Code) other than extended benefits.
(F) “Extended benefits” means benefits (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to Chapter 85 of Title 5, United States Code) payable to an individual under the provisions of this subsection for weeks of unemployment in his eligibility period.
(G) “Eligibility period” of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in his benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period and, if his benefit year ends within the extended period, any weeks thereafter which begin in a period.
(H) “Exhaustee” means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period:
(i) Has received, prior to such a week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him under this subchapter or any state law (including dependents’ allowances and benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under Chapter 85 of Title 5, United States Code) in his current benefit year that includes such a week; provided, that for the purposes of this subparagraph, an individual shall be deemed to have received all of the regular benefits that were available to him although as a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages that were not considered in the original monetary determination in his benefits year, he may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular benefits; or
(ii) His benefit year having expired prior to such a week, has no, or insufficient wages on the basis of which he established a new benefit year that would include such a week; and
(I) Has no right to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Automotive Products Trade Act of 1965, and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor; and
(II) Has not received and is not seeking unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada; but if he is seeking such benefits and the appropriate agency finally determines that he is not entitled to benefits under such law he is considered an exhaustee.
(I) “State law” means the unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the Secretary of Labor under § 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
(J) The provisions of subparagraphs (A)-(G) of this paragraph shall not apply to any time these provisions are suspended temporarily or permanently by federal law. If these provisions are suspended by federal law, the provisions of this subchapter which apply to claims for and the payment of regular benefits shall apply to claims for and the payment of extended benefits.
(i) For weeks of unemployment commencing March 18, 2020, there is a state “on” indicator if:
(I) The average rate of total unemployment (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the period consisting of the 3 most recent months for which data for all states are published before the close of any such week equals or exceeds 6.5%; and
(II) The average rate of total unemployment in the District (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the 3 months referred to in sub-sub-subparagraph (I) of this sub-subparagraph equals or exceeds 110% of such average rate for either of the corresponding 3-month periods ending in the 2 preceding calendar years.
(ii) There is a state "off" indicator pursuant to this subparagraph for weeks of unemployment commencing November 29, 2020, or the latest date for which 100% federal sharing is available under any federal law, including section 4105 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, approved March 18, 2020 (Pub. L. No. 116-127; 134 Stat. 195) ("Families First Act"), or any subsequent amendment to the Families First Act.
(i) For weeks of unemployment commencing March 18, 2020, there is a state high unemployment period “on” indicator if the total unemployment insurance rate as established in subparagraph (K) of this paragraph equals or exceeds 8%.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 5(A) of this subsection, the total unemployment extended benefit amount payable to any individual pursuant to this subparagraph shall be the least of the following amounts:
(I) Eighty percent of the total amount of regular benefits (including any applicable dependents’ allowance) that were payable to the individual under this subchapter in the individual’s applicable benefit year;
(II) Twenty times the individual’s weekly benefit amount (including any applicable dependents’ allowance) which was payable to the individual under this subchapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year; or
(III) Forty-six times the individual’s weekly benefit amount (including any applicable dependents allowances) for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits that were paid (or deemed paid) to the individual under this subchapter with respect to the benefit year.
(iii) There is a state "off" indicator pursuant to this subparagraph for weeks of unemployment commencing November 29, 2020, or the latest date for which 100% federal sharing is available under any federal law, including section 4105 of the Families First Act, or any subsequent amendment to the Families First Act.
(2) Except when the result would be inconsistent with the other provisions of this subsection, the provisions of this subchapter which apply to claims for, or the payment of, regular benefits shall apply to claims for, and the payment of, extended benefits.
(3) An individual shall be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period only if the Director finds that with respect to such week:
(A) He is an “exhaustee” as defined in paragraph (1)(H) of this subsection;
(B) He has satisfied the requirements of this subchapter for the receipt of regular benefits that are applicable to individuals claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to a disqualification for the receipt of benefits; and
(C) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph, an individual shall not be eligible for extended benefits if his monetary eligibility for regular benefits was based upon the total base period wages that did not exceed his highest quarterly wages by at least 1 1/2 times.
(4) The weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in his eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly basic or augmented benefit amount, whichever is appropriate, payable to him during his applicable benefit year.
(A) The total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his applicable year shall be the least of the following amounts:
(i) Fifty percent of the total amount of regular benefits (including dependents’ allowances) which were payable to him under this subchapter in his applicable benefit year;
(ii) Thirteen times his weekly benefit amount (including dependents’ allowances) which was payable to him under this subchapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year; or
(iii) Thirty-nine times his weekly benefit amount (including dependents’ allowances) which was payable to him under this subchapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year, reduced by the total amount of regular benefits which were paid (or deemed paid) to him under this subchapter with respect to the benefit year.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the total regular benefit amount shall be that amount (including dependents’ allowances) provided in the individual’s monetary determination or the amount of regular benefits (including dependents’ allowances) actually received, whichever is the greater.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph, if the benefit year of any individual ends within an extended benefit period, the remaining balance of extended benefits that such an individual would, but for this section, be entitled to receive in that extended benefit period, with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after the end of the benefit year, shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the product of the number of weeks for which the individual received trade readjustment allowances within that benefit year, multiplied by the individual’s weekly benefit amount for extended benefits.
(A) Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in the District (or in all states) as a result of a state or a national “on” indicator, or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in the District as a result of state and national “off ” indicators, the Director shall make an appropriate public announcement.
(B) Computations required by the provisions of paragraph (1)(F) of this subsection shall be made by the Director in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor.
(A) In weeks commencing after June 30, 1981, except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, an individual shall not be eligible for extended benefits for such week if:
(i) Extended benefits are payable for such week pursuant to an interstate claim filed in any state under the interstate payment plan; and
(ii) No extended benefit period is in effect for such week in such state.
(B) Subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to the first 2 weeks for which extended benefits are payable (as determined without regard to this paragraph) pursuant to an interstate benefit payment plan to the individual with respect to the benefit year.
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, an individual shall be ineligible for payment of extended benefits for any week of unemployment commencing after March 31, 1981, in his eligibility period if the Director finds that during such period:
(i) He failed to accept any offer of suitable work (as defined under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) or failed to apply for any suitable work to which he was referred by the Director; or
(ii) He failed to actively engage in seeking work as prescribed under subparagraph (E) of this paragraph.
(B) Any individual who has been found ineligible for extended benefits by reason of the provisions in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall also be denied benefits beginning with the first day of the week following the week in which such failure occurred and until he has been employed in each of 10 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned remuneration equal to not less than 10 times the extended weekly benefit amount.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “suitable work” means, with respect to any individual, any work which is within such individual’s capabilities; provided, that the gross average weekly remuneration payable for the work must:
(i) Exceed the sum of:
(I) The individual’s extended weekly benefit amount as determined under paragraph (4) of this subsection plus;
(II) The amount, if any, of supplemental unemployment benefits (as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(17)(D)) payable to such individual for such week; and
(ii) Pay wages not less than the higher of:
(I) The minimum wage provided by 29 U.S.C. § 206 without regard to any exemption; or
(II) The applicable state or local minimum wage; provided, further, that no individual shall be denied extended benefits for failure to accept an offer of suitable work or apply for any job which meets the definition of suitability as described above if:
(aa) The position was not offered to such individual in writing or was not listed with the employment service;
(bb) Such failure could not result in a denial of benefits under the definition of suitable work for regular benefit claimants in § 51-110(c) to the extent that the criteria of suitability in that section are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subparagraph; or
(cc) The individual furnishes satisfactory evidence to the Director that his prospects for obtaining work in his customary occupation within a reasonably short period are good. If such evidence is deemed satisfactory for this purpose, the determination of whether any work is suitable with respect to such individual shall be made in accordance with the definition of suitable work for regular benefit claimants in § 51-110(c) without regard to the definition specified by this subparagraph.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph to the contrary, no work shall be deemed to be suitable work for an individual which does not accord with the labor standard provisions required by 26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(5) and set forth under § 51-110(d)(1) .
(E) For the purposes of subparagraph (A)(i) of this paragraph, an individual shall be treated as actively engaged in seeking work during any week if:
(i) The individual has engaged in a systematic and sustained effort to obtain work during such week; and
(ii) The individual furnishes tangible evidence that he has engaged in such effort during such week.
(F) The employment service shall refer any claimant entitled to extended benefits under this section to any suitable work which meets the criteria prescribed in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.
(G) An individual shall not be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period if such individual has been disqualified for regular benefits or extended benefits under this section because the individual voluntarily left his most recent work without good cause connected with the work, was discharged for misconduct, or failed to accept an offer of or apply for suitable work, unless such individual has returned to work, has been employed at least 10 weeks, and has earned an amount equal to or greater than 10 times his weekly benefit.
(H) During the extended benefit period, the eligibility requirements of this paragraph shall also apply to those weeks of benefits for which sharable compensation is payable under the terms of 26 U.S.C. § 3304.
(h) Effective October 1, 1983, in the calculation of an individual’s weekly benefit amount, all amounts shall be rounded down to the next lower dollar.
(i) Repealed.
District of Columbia § 51-107 (Determination of amount and duration of benefits.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.