Unemployment: what you need to know if your employer shuts down.

As the coronavirus continues to impact our daily lives our union family is pulling together information on any resources that may help you and your families during this time. Changes have been made in Kentucky and Indiana regarding applying for unemployment insurance. These changes will make it easier for everyone in our communities to get access to some income benefits if your employer decides to close for a period of time. 

KENTUCKY UPDATE from Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal

Kentucky unemployment during coronavirus: Who is eligible and how to apply for it

“Effective March 25, some types of workers who were not traditionally able to apply for benefits may now apply.

Now eligible are: self-employed workers, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers and childcare workers employed by religiously affiliated organizations and non-profits.

Kentuckians who have been laid off because of the new coronavirus are able to apply for benefits.

Those who are self-quarantined because of a "reasonable risk" of exposure or those who left their job to care for a sick family member with the disease are also eligible.

Here's the day to apply based on the first letter of your last name:

Sunday: A-D

Monday: E-H

Tuesday: I-L

Wednesday: M-P

Thursday: Q-U

Friday: V-Z; anyone else who missed their assigned day 

Apply by visiting kcc.ky.gov or by calling the phone number for your region. 

  • Bowling Green area: 270-746-7425

  • Elizabethtown area: 270-766-5115

  • Covington area: 859-292-6666

  • Hazard area: 888-503-1423

  • Hopkinsville area: 270-889-6509

  • Lexington area: 859-233-5940

  • Louisville area: 502-595-4003

  • Morehead area: 606-783-8525

  • Owensboro area: 270-686-2502

  • Paducah area: 270-575-7000

  • Prestonsburg area: 888-503-1423

  • Somerset area: 606-677-4124

The unemployment insurance help line is 502-564-2900.”

In Kentucky, there is still no two week waiting period on collecting unemployment insurance and the requirement that you look for work during this period has been waived.

In Indiana the rules that you show up to a Work One location in person for reemployment training has been waived for the next 4 weeks. They are also working on expanding eligibility. 

Indiana's unemployment website: Unemployment.IN.gov

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Kristah Barnette