Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Nevada

Did you recently lose your job in Nevada? If so, you might be eligible for unemployment benefits: compensation available to employees who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own. Although the basic rules for unemployment are similar across the board, the eligibility rules, prior earnings requirements, benefit amounts, and other details vary from state to state. Below you'll find information on collecting unemployment in Nevada.

Eligibility Requirements for Nevada Unemployment Benefits

Nevada's Employment Security Division (ESD) handles unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in Nevada:

• You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed.
• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Nevada law.
• You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.
• Nevada Unemployment Eligibility: Past Earnings

Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year "base period" to determine your eligibility for unemployment. n Nevada, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your benefits claim. For example, if you filed your claim in April 2020, the base period would be from January 1 through December 31, 2019.

To qualify for benefits in Nevada, you must have earned at least $400 during your highest paid quarter of the base period. In addition, you must meet one of the following two requirements:

• Your total earnings during the base period must be at least one-and-a-half times your earnings during the highest paid quarter.
• You must have earned some wages in at least three of the four quarters of the base period.

Are You Out of Work Through No Fault of Your Own?

In Nevada, as in other states, you must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits.

Collecting Unemployment After a Layoff

If you were laid off, lost your job in a reduction-in-force (RIF), or got "downsized" for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.

Collecting Unemployment After Being Fired

If you were fired because you lacked the skills to perform the job or simply weren't a good fit, you won't necessarily be barred from receiving benefits. However, if you were fired for misconduct relating to your job, you won't be eligible for benefits. If, for example, you deliberately disregarded your employer's reasonable rules or policies, or you were so careless on the job as to demonstrate a substantial disregard of your employer's interests or your job duties, you will be disqualified. You will be disqualified for a longer time period if you were fired for criminal activity in connection with your job.

Collecting Unemployment After Quitting

If you quit your job, you won't be eligible for unemployment benefits unless you had good cause. In general, good cause means that your reason for leaving the position was job-related and was so compelling that you had no other choice than to leave. For example, if you left your job because of dangerous working conditions or sexual harassment that your employer refused to stop, you may be able to collect benefits. You may also remain eligible for benefits if you had to quit to protect yourself or someone in your family from domestic violence.

Are You Available and Actively Searching for Work?

To keep collecting unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to work, and looking for employment. If you're offered a suitable position, you must accept it.

Whether a position is suitable depends on several factors, including your experience and previous earnings, how long you've been out of work, and your chances of getting work in your usual occupation..

In Nevada, you will be considered "available" for work only if you don't have any restrictions preventing you from taking a job immediately, if one is offered. For example, you must be able to make arrangements for childcare and transportation.

You must engage in a good faith search for work, of the sort that a reasonable and prudent person who is anxious to find a job would conduct. You should keep records of the employers you contact, the dates you made contact, and the outcome. The ESD may ask you to provide contact information for employers you've contacted at any point during your claim.

Amount and Duration of Unemployment Benefits in Nevada

If you are eligible to receive unemployment, your weekly benefit rate (WBR) will be 4% of your total earnings during the highest paid quarter of the base period, subject to a maximum of $469 per week (starting mid-September 2021). The maximum weekly benefit amount is 50% of the average weekly wage in Nevada, which is adjusted each July 1. You may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. (In times of very high unemployment, additional weeks of benefits may be available.)

How to File a Claim for Unemployment Benefits in Nevada

You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online or by phone. You can find online filing information, as well as regional telephone numbers for filing by phone, at the ESD's website.

Once the ESD receives your application, it will send you some documents, including a Monetary Determination indicating whether you met the initial earnings requirements to qualify for benefits.

How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits in Nevada

If your unemployment claim is denied, you can appeal the decision. For details, see our article on the unemployment appeals process in Nevada.