Updates to ReEmployME: Beginning on February 25, 2021, ReEmployME will be updated and the weekly claim will look different. More general information on the updates: https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=4185401

Reminder: Unemployment claimants must submit a weekly claim each week in order to receive benefits. A basic video walkthrough of the changes and guides can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/weeklyclaims/

NOTE: Unemployment 1099G's will be available by the end of January 2021.

Unemployment insurance payments are taxable. When you file for unemployment, you have the option to choose to have taxes taken out at the time benefits are paid. If you opt to have the deductions taken out of your unemployment benefits, the standard deduction used is 10% for Federal Taxes and 5% for State Taxes.

For more information, please download the 1099G FAQ. (PDF)

You may recently be seeing "online interview" in your unemployment account. This online questionnaire shows in your account if you stated in your weekly claim that you did not complete a work search related activity.

While the questionnaire is optional, completing it will speed up the fact-finding process, and allow you to answer the questions at a time that works for you. If you choose not to fill out the questionnaire, a phone interview will be scheduled.

A guide to the questionnaire and FAQS can be found here: Claimant Instruction Guide.

Update on the extension of federal programs 1.5.21: This week, MDOL began issuing the additional $300 FPUC payments to those receiving unemployment benefits. The first $300 payments were distributed with unemployment benefits for the week ending January 2.

Claimants who were receiving PUA or PEUC when the programs originally ended Dec. 26 and still had weeks left of eligibility did not see an interruption in payments, and have continued to be paid benefits in addition to the $300 FPUC as long as they were otherwise eligible.

Claimants who had exhausted their PUA benefits including or prior to Dec. 26 and are eligible for benefits will begin receiving payments the week of January 10. Claimants who had exhausted their original PEUC benefits including or prior to Dec. 26 and are still eligible for benefits will begin receiving payments the week of January 17th. Payments will be retroactive to week ending January 2 if eligible.

In order to be paid, you must have weekly certifications on file. We recommend that claimants who are still unemployed continue to file their weekly certifications, so that payments can be made to eligible claimants as soon as possible.

You can also view a chart with information about the Unemployment programs available after the federal government extension:

Chart

For more information, please read the MDOL Press Release