Work Search Requirement

Under Maine law, anyone filing for unemployment benefits must show that they are actively seeking work in order to receive benefits each week.

All claimants must conduct at least one work search related activity each week.

All unemployment claimants are required to have an active account on the Maine JobLink: https://joblink.maine.gov/. The Maine JobLink is an easy-to-use tool where you can post a resume, search for a job or training opportunity, research labor market information to help target your job search, and much more. You can also use any other methods of searching for jobs in addition to JobLink. Please note, simply browsing the JobLink does not satisfy requirements for work search.

MDOL holds virtual JobLink workshops multiple times a week These workshops walk participants through how to create and use a JobLink account. More information on how to register for a workshop can be found at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/employment/workshops.shtml

The Maine Department of Labor is reinstating the traditional work search requirements as of Sunday, May 23, 2021. Maine had temporarily expanded the types of activities that would meet the work search requirement because the sudden business closings, health concerns, school, childcare and other issues brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Now people receiving unemployment benefits will be required to actively look for work and to accept positions for which they are reasonably qualified. A refusal to accept an offer of suitable work is grounds for disqualifying a person for benefits.

Acceptable weekly work search activities are:

  • Interviewing for a job for which you are reasonably qualified
  • Applying for a job for which you are reasonably qualified and willing to accept
  • Participating in a job fair hosted by a CareerCenter
  • Participating in CareerCenter virtual or in-person reemployment services
  • Participating in a CareerCenter workshop related to seeking employment
  • Contacting an employer about an opening that you are interested in

Note: Browsing the Internet is a good way to find potential job openings or leads but does not by itself count as a work search activity. More information on how to register for a workshop can be found at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/employment/workshops.shtml

Working part-time counts as a work search related activity. The weekly certification will ask if you worked during the week. If you are working, when prompted for the name of an employer you sought work from in your weekly certification, type in the name of your current employer.

If you have a definite and confirmed return to work date with your former/regular employer, you are not required to do a work search for up to six weeks during your lay-off period. This period of six weeks starts as soon as you report your return-to-work date on your initial or weekly claim, or when your employer reports it. If you want a different period to cover your six-week work search waiver (for example, the period before you return to work) please contact us to review your claim.

During those six weeks, you would not need to participate in work search activities. If your return to work date is unknown, you would still need to conduct a work search.

Work search activities include:

  • Interviewing for a job for which you are reasonably qualified
  • Applying for a job for which you are reasonably qualified and willing to accept
  • Participating in a job fair hosted by a CareerCenter
  • Participating in CareerCenter virtual or in-person reemployment services
  • Participating in a CareerCenter workshop related to seeking employment
  • Working part-time, building up to your normal weekly hours
  • Contacting an employer about an opening that you are interested in

You are required to participate in at least one activity each week. You must document your work search contacts and activities on your weekly certification. The bureau recommends you keep a record of your work search activities for weeks filed, as well as any supporting documentation related to the work search activities as you may be asked to provide them at a later time.

Each week you will identify the type of activity you performed. If you contacted a potential employer, you will need to provide the names of individuals you spoke with and the contact information for the businesses. Work search activities are subject to random audit, so please maintain documentation of your activities. If you are unable to document your activity, benefits may be subsequently denied for that week.

The first time you do not complete a work search related activity, you will receive a reminder letter explaining the requirement and options for completing it. If otherwise eligible, benefits would not be denied for that week.

If you do not complete a work search activity a second time, MDOL will contact you for further information about why you didn’t complete one of the activities. Based on this factfinding, MDOL will determine if you are eligible for benefits for the week. If benefits were already paid on a week that is later denied as a result of this review, the benefits for the week would have to be repaid to MDOL. You have the right to appeal the decision.

Note: Not participating in work search activities for the week would only result in a denial in benefits for that particular week.

MDOL is required to conduct random work search audits to validate the job search activities provided in your weekly claim. You should maintain documentation of your activities. If you are unable to document your activity, benefits may be subsequently denied for that week.

When you go back to work or start a new job, and the hours are comparable to those you worked prior to becoming unemployed, all you need to do is stop filing weekly certifications.

You do not need to call or let the Department know that you no longer need unemployment benefits. If you become unemployed again, please log into your ReEmployME account, and then call 1-800-593-7660 if you experience an issue reopening your claim or need to reset your password.