Reemployment Assistance Benefits

Common Mistakes Made by Reemployment Assistance Claimants

Reemployment Assistance (RA)provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, until they find other employment.

Navigating through the RA system can be confusing. These are common mistakes or misunderstandings related to RA benefits:

Not reporting income from part-time or temporary work while looking for a full-time position.
Waiting until you receive your first paycheck before notifying the RA Division about your return to work.
Believing that RA benefits are “yours” which you paid into an account while you were working. RA benefits are financed by employers’ state payroll tax, not from workers.
Not actively searching for work. You must actively search for work each week you file a claim for RA benefits.
Not being available to accept a new job. Conflicts like attending school during work hours or limitations with childcare or transportation could limit your work availability.

Also see Top Ten Errors Made on Reemployment Assistance Claims

While filing, you are required to follow all rules and reporting regulations. Non-compliance can result in serious consequences:

Prosecution by government authorities
Possible jail or prison sentences
Repaying the RA benefits collected, plus fines
Forfeiting future income tax refunds
Losing the eligibility to collect future RA benefits

Back to main Reemployment Assistance Benefits page

Marcia Hultman

Cabinet Secretary

Reemployment Assistance Benefits

Common Mistakes Made by Reemployment Assistance Claimants