Disclaimer: These FAQs are subject to change based on new information. Additionally, due to modifications of the UI program as a result of COVID-19 responses, many of the FAQs have modified answers. Please check back frequently. This website is not intended as legal advice. Any responses to specific questions are based on the facts as we understand them and the law that was current when the responses were written. They are not intended to apply to any other situations. This communication is not an agency order. If you need legal advice, you must consult an attorney.

To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance compensation benefits you are required to do the following:

• Register with the Division of Employment & Training, via Delaware JobLink, within three (3) business days of filing your claim.
• Maintain your registration with Delaware JobLink for the entire duration you are collecting UI benefits.
• Maintain a resume, updated at least once every 90 days, within Delaware JobLink
• Conduct an active work search during each week for which you claim.
• Keep a record of your work search activity and provide the record to the department when requested to do so.

I am currently residing in another state, do the registration requirements affect me?

• An Interstate Claimant is a claimant who does not live in Delaware but qualifies for a Delaware Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. Interstate claims are filed online at https://uics.delawareworks.com. When completing the UI application online, choose “Interstate” as your local office. Interstate claimants must follow all the same guidelines as those listed in the UI handbook, including registering for work search.
• Interstate claimants must REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE IN REQUIRED SERVICES WITH THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES IN YOUR HOME STATE. If you are required to register for work, you must register with the employment and training services center in the state that you reside, follow your state’s work search requirements, and you must keep this registration active while collecting UI benefits. You must provide proof of this registration within ten (10) days to the Interstate office by one of the following methods:
  • Email: uiclaims@delaware.gov, Subject: Interstate Job Registration Verification, or
  • FAX: (302) 761-6636, Attn: Interstate Job Registration Verification.

What are weekly work search requirements

• Your eligibility to receive benefits depends upon your showing the Division that you have made a reasonable effort to find work each week.
• You will be required to make at least one new work search contact each week and indicate the employer’s name, address, type of work sought, result of the contact and the date when you request your weekly benefits. While it is often necessary to return to a previously contacted employer, a new work contact must also be made on a weekly basis. If you are required to make an active work search during a week and fail to do so, you will be ineligible to receive benefits for that week. When claiming your weekly UI benefits through Tele-Benefits or Web-Benefits, you will need to supply work search date information. You are required to complete the Work Search Log each week you are receiving UI benefits. The Division will review this log periodically. Failing to complete this log could result in denial of benefits (see “Work Search Log” on page 28 of the UI Claimant Handbook).

What counts as a valid work search activity?

The list below includes examples of valid work-search activities:

• Applying for a job for which you are reasonably qualified
• Interviewing for a job for which you are reasonably qualified
• Taking an exam required as part of the application process for a new job for which you are reasonably qualified
• Participating in reemployment services at a state workforce center or other location where similar services are provided
• Participating in state-sponsored or other professional job-related education or skills development

Do I have to retain any information for my files regarding my work search? If so, what?

Yes, to ensure the activities you complete can be verified by the Division of Unemployment Insurance, you must keep verifiable information about each activity you complete, such as:

• Employer contact information (business name, address, phone number, email address)
• Name and title of person contacted
• Documentation of use of an online career tool
• Confirmation of an online job board submission
• Reemployment service in which you participated

You are required to complete work-search activities that are meant to help you return to work. Work search can and should include a mixture of activities, including contacting employers and interviewing for jobs.

THERE IS A WORK SEARCH LOG AT THE BACK OF EVERY UI GUIDE. CLAIMANTS ARE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN THEIR WORK SEARCH INFORMATION ON THE LOG.

What else can I do to make sure my work search activities are valid?

• Keep copies of email or website confirmations in either paper or electronic form.
• Contact people with hiring authority when seeking work.
• Always submit an application or resume, unless the employer specifically says they are not being accepted at that time.
• Attend reemployment services that will help you return to work.
• Attend networking events that are related to your field of work and may help you return to work.
• Obtain contact information for any employers you are in contact with at hiring events, job fairs, or networking events.

If I register with a temporary agency, can I list that agency as a contact if I apply for specific jobs with that agency?

• Yes, Claimants must perform at least one work search weekly. They must look for at least one unique position.
• Calling the temporary agency back about the same specific position does not count as a separate work search activity.

I am currently a Self-employed (business owner) and receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, do I need to register with Delaware JobLink and complete a weekly work search

Yes, Self-employed individuals (business owners) will need to attest to engaging in activities designed to fully reopen their business. Examples of this could include, but are not limited to marketing your business, attending networking events, participating in relevant workshops, meeting with the Delaware Department of Employment and Training to understand the resources available to small businesses. If an individual was previously self-employed but has no plans to return to self-employment, they will be required to do a work search or work search related activity and register with Delaware JobLink.

I am Self-employed individual who receives 1099 and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Do I have to register with Delaware JobLink and meet the work search requirements to remain eligible?

Yes. Individuals who receive 1099s and are filing for benefits must register for job search at Delaware JobLink and complete at least one job searches each week.

What if I don’t make the required number of work search activities each week?

You are ineligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits for any week in which you haven’t made the minimum required work search activities. A finding of ineligibility may also delay the payment of future weeks of benefits while the ineligible week is processed.

Delaware requires one unique work search activity per week.

How do I list jobs I’ve applied for online?

For the Employer/Agency/Service/Event, write the name of the service or company used to apply for work (e.g., Indeed.com). Provide as much information as possible about the position.

What if my children are home due to virtual learning, or I do not have childcare?

You would still need to participate in work search activities.

What if my employer plans to bring me back to work (RECALL DATE), but hasn’t yet?

If you have a confirmed recall date from your employer, you do not have to provide a weekly work search.

The following unemployed individuals do not have to register with Delaware JobLink

If you are an active member of a Union Hall and is actively seeking work through a union hiring hall as verified by the Division of Unemployment, you do not have to provide a weekly work search or register with Delaware JobLink.

If you are attached to a specific job as evidenced by a pattern of seasonal/periodic layoff and subsequent rehiring by the same employer over the most recent three (3) year period, you do not have to provide a weekly work search or register with Delaware JobLink.

What if my doctor states I should not return to in-person work due to being high-risk?

You would still need to participate in work search activities

Delaware JobLink (DJL) may have remote job opportunities available. DJL is an easy-to-use tool where you can post or create a resume, search for jobs, training opportunities, and additional information for your job search.

What if I am in medical quarantine?

If you have been told by a medical professional to quarantine for a set amount of time (typically 14 days) due having been potentially exposed to Covid-19,  you do not need to perform work search activities for that period of time.  Not working due to being in high-risk category is not a medical quarantine. 

**A decision to determine eligibility may be needed.  A claims adjudicator will determine if the claimant is able and available for work, if additional medical documentation is needed, and if separation from employer has happened. **

What happened if I do not submit a weekly work search activity?

The claimant will receive a reminder letter stating you failed to provide work search information for the week and a date to respond with the work search information.   Failure to respond or provide the requested information will result in the claimant being ineligible for that week of benefits. A finding of ineligibility may also delay the payment of future weeks of benefits while the ineligible week is processed.

Related Topics:  Claimant Handbook, Frequently Asked Questions, JobLink, Unemployment Insurance, work search