Filing a Claim During a Labor Dispute
Filing for Unemployment Benefits During a Labor Dispute
Learn how to file a claim during a strike or lockout in your workplace.
Where to apply for unemployment insurance
Apply online at Hawaii Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims website at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov or visit your local claims office.
Qualifying for unemployment benefits
To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a certain amount during your base period, the first four (4) of the last five (5) calendar quarters:
- You must have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period and
- You must have earned at least 26 times the amount of benefits you can receive each week.
We will mail you a letter called Unemployment Insurance Determination of Insured Status, which shows if you meet these requirements or not.
Benefit amounts
We calculate your weekly benefit amount by dividing your highest earnings in a quarter during your base period by 21. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $5 a week.
The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year. View this year’s maximum weekly benefit amount at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/news/tax-rate-schedule-and-weekly-benefit-amount/.
How labor disputes affect your eligibility for benefits
During a labor dispute, you are not eligible for benefits if there was a “work stoppage” at your last job. We gather information from your employer and union representatives to decide if there is a work stoppage.
A work stoppage happens when an employer’s operations decrease by 20% to 30%.
We will mail you a Notice of Decision on Unemployment Insurance Claim, which explains whether you are eligible for the weeks you filed claims for.
If there is no work stoppage, you may qualify if you meet other eligibility requirements.
Other things to know
Reporting income
While you are receiving benefits, you must report any additional income you receive. This includes strike pay, pension income, sick pay, or disability benefits. If you do not report this income:
- You may have to pay back benefits.
- We may stop your benefits.
- You may be charged with crimes.
Appealing a decision
If you disagree with a decision about your benefits, you have the right to appeal that decision. Report in person or submit a written request for reconsideration or appeal within 10 days from the date the decision was mailed to you.
If you authorized your union to represent you in matters relating to unemployment benefits, you must refer your appeal request to your union.
Taxes
Unemployment benefits are taxable. You may choose to withhold 10% for federal taxes and 5% for Hawaii state taxes from your unemployment benefits.
To set this up, log in to Hawaii unemployment insurance claims website at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/ and choose “Tax Withholdings” under “My Account.”
Get help in your language
This document explains your rights, responsibilities, and benefits. If you need free help to understand this document in your language, please contact us using the information below.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Call Center
(808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272 (toll-free)
UI Website: Labor.Hawaii.gov/UI
TTD/TTY: Dial 711; ask for (808) 586-8842
Oahu Claims Office |
Hilo Claims Office
1990 Kinoole St
Room 101
Hilo, HI
96720-5293
Kona Claims Office
Ashikawa Building
81-990 Halekii St
Room 2087
Kealakekua, HI
96750-0167
Maui Claims Office
54 South High St
Room 201
Wailuku, HI
96793-2198
Kauai Claims Office
4370 Kukui Grove St
Suite 3-214
Lihue, HI
96766-2001
