To qualify for unemployment benefits for the current benefit year beginning July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, you must meet certain railroad earnings and creditable service months in the base calendar year 2014. If you became employed prior to calendar year 2014, you must have had at least three (3) months of creditable service and railroad earnings of $3,600 in 2014, counting no more than $1,440 for any month. However, if you were first employed in 2014, you must have had at least five (5) months of creditable service in addition to railroad earnings of at least $3,600 in 2014, but no more than $1,440 for any month.
Qualified members on an authorized strike are eligible for daily unemployment benefits after meeting a 14-day waiting period. After the initial 14-day waiting period, daily benefits are $67.104 or $671.04 every 10 days in each subsequent 14-day period as long as you claim every day in a benefit period.
Should you have any questions on how to file for unemployment benefits or how to register for the RRB online services, you may contact Ellen Conboy, Executive Director/National Representative, in the TCU/IAM Social Services Department, at 301-840-8746 or conboye@tcunion.org or contact a local U.S. Railroad Retirement Board office at 1-877-772-5772.
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