| In the unfortunate situation where an employee is | | | | program can waive work search and availability |
| terminated or voluntarily quits his or her job, the | | | | under Section 24 (b) and Section 25 (c) while in |
| Division of Unemployment Assistance can provide | | | | attendance of a full-time approved training |
| much needed financial relief though a weekly | | | | program. This training program may pay up to 18 |
| check. Not only can unemployed individuals receive | | | | additional weeks of benefits, if they are needed in |
| a weekly check for assistance, there are also | | | | order to complete the program. |
| other programs that can help assist the individual | | | | For individuals who are collecting unemployment |
| in many ways. One program that is available | | | | assistance and are looking for a job, the state has |
| through the Division of Unemployment Assistance | | | | One-Stop Career Centers that can help. These |
| is health insurance coverage. In order to be eligible | | | | centers are conveniently located across the state |
| for health insurance benefits in Massachusetts, | | | | and they offer employment services that allow |
| you must be a resident of the state and meet | | | | the individual to work on their job search in an |
| certain income eligibility guidelines. The individual | | | | atmosphere comfortable for them. The One-Stop |
| and their family may also qualify for health | | | | Career Centers staff members are committed to |
| insurance coverage under the Medical Security | | | | helping individuals get back into the job market |
| Program (MSP). There are two health insurance | | | | and find a job. These career centers offer |
| options that one can choose from. The first | | | | one-on-one counseling, workshops, written |
| option is the Direct Coverage Plan. This plan is for | | | | handouts or all of the above, depending on |
| individuals without any current health plans. Under | | | | whatever best suits the individual's employment |
| this option some co-payments are required for | | | | search needs. The One-Stop Career Centers |
| certain services. This health insurance option is | | | | offers many no-cost services for an individual to |
| given to individuals and their families who don't | | | | take advantage of them and get back into the |
| have access to COBRA or other health insurance | | | | work force. |
| plans and also for individuals who can't afford to | | | | Unemployment Insurance Law: |
| maintain their COBRA option. The second health | | | | Section 24 (b) states; "an individual must be |
| insurance option is The Premium Assistance Plan, | | | | capable of, available, and actively seeking work in |
| which allows individuals to receive partial | | | | his usual occupation or any other occupation which |
| reimbursement for health insurance premiums to | | | | he is reasonably fitted." |
| continue their health plan through their last | | | | Section 24 (c) states; "Any week in which an |
| employer. All benefits of the Medical Security | | | | otherwise eligible individual fails, without good |
| Program coverage are terminated when | | | | cause, to apply for suitable employment |
| unemployment benefits end. | | | | whenever notified so to do by the employment |
| Another option under unemployment assistance is | | | | office, or to accept suitable employment |
| approved work training. Under Section 30 of the | | | | whenever offered to him, and for the next seven |
| Unemployment Insurance Law, an individual can | | | | consecutive weeks in addition to the waiting |
| apply for approved training if they think that they | | | | period provided in section twenty-three, and the |
| will need training to help them find employment. | | | | duration of benefits for unemployment to which |
| You must apply for the training program by the | | | | the individual would otherwise have been entitled |
| 15th week of your claim, if the individual wants to | | | | may thereupon be reduced for as many weeks, |
| be able to be eligible for an extension of their | | | | not exceeding eight, as the commissioner shall |
| unemployment benefits. Under section 30 this | | | | determine from the circumstances of each case. |