Headline:
The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) continues to warn Unemployment Insurance (UI) applicants and recipients of scams trying to obtain UI online passwords. For information to protect yourself, visit mass.gov.
Last-reviewed: 10am, Dec. 4, 2023
Key Resources:
Leave & Work Safety
The Basics:
- MA workers may be eligible for paid and unpaid, job-protected leave for personal or family health needs and should contact their employer’s HR department or the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division for more information.
The Breakdown:
- The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act provides additional protections to pregnant and nursing workers, including the right to request reasonable accommodation for their pregnancy or nursing needs. To learn more about PWFA, check out the PWFA Know Your Rights Resource.
- The Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program offers eligible employees paid leave for certain family and medical leaves, including caring for a family member with a serious health condition. Visit the PFML Help Center or view the PFML Employee Toolkit for information on the various types of leave available and the application process. Visit mass.gov for additional information.
- There are several ways to file a complaint to report an unsafe business or employer practice – through a local Board of Health; by contacting the Department of Labor Standards by phone, (508-616-0461 x9488), online, or by email (safepublicworkplacemailbox@mass.gov); or by contacting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by phone (800-321-6742) or online.
- Information about wage and hour, prevailing wage, and child labor laws is available in many languages from the Fair Labor Division of the Attorney General’s office. Videos are also available in Spanish and Portuguese. People can also submit complaints online.
The Bottom Line:
- Care team members can guide individuals to employment resources and share information regarding employment rights and available benefits.
Job Loss
The Basics:
- Care team members can use this Unemployment Insurance Advocacy Guide to assist individuals with questions about the unemployment insurance process in Massachusetts, including eligibility applications, benefits, appeals, and more.
- Through UI Online, claimants can file an unemployment application, manage their UI claim, and request weekly benefits.
- People who are unable to work due to a disability can apply for Social Security benefits and then monitor their benefits through mySocialSecurity. This short video may be helpful for people to learn about the online disability application.
The Breakdown:
- Workers concerned about denial of wages or benefits can learn about their rights and seek help from free wage theft legal clinics provided through the MA Attorney General’s Office.
- Unemployment Insurance Maximum Benefit Week Allotment decreased from 30 weeks down to 26 weeks for unemployment claims filed on or after July 2, 2023. This change is due to low employment rates across the Commonwealth. Read more about this change here.
- If you believe someone has applied for unemployment benefits using your personal information, complete a secure form to report this to the DUA. If you believe someone has access to your UI account, contact DUA customer service immediately to inform them.
- Work search requirements for UI claimants are in effect. DUA has launched an online Re-Employment Center (REC). The REC is also open for in-person visits at the Boston office Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Appointments must be scheduled online in advance. Visit this web site for lists of services that are and are not offered at the REC.
- Workers who received UI benefits that they did not qualify for must repay the money unless they get a waiver. Workers can access up-to-date waiver information through the PUA website.
- Termination of a worker’s employment based on the person’s pregnancy, national origin, race, age, gender, disability or the perception that one has a disability, is illegal. Complaints against employers can be filed telephonically or electronically with MCAD.
The Bottom Line:
- Unemployment benefits are available for some employees who are out of work. Recipients should stay up to date on changing policies and program requirements.
