The maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA) in Alaska is $370. The minimum WBA is $56. The duration of benefits you can collect is between 16 and 26 weeks, depending on the amount of wages that you earned during your base period and how they were distributed to you. claim is based on wages paid to you in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters from when you file your claim.
If you do not qualify for a regular base period claim, you may be eligible for an alternate base period claim. This uses wages earned in the last four completed calendar quarters from when you led your claim.
If you have worked in another state during the benefit year, those wages may be requested to increase your weekly benefit amount, or you may choose to file for benefits with the other state, but you can only file for benefits in one state at a time.
Dependents’ allowance
You may be able to receive an additional allowance of $24 per week per child, for up to three children, subject to the following conditions:
- A dependent is your natural child, stepchild (by marriage), legally adopted child or court-appointed legal ward.
- Your dependent must be unmarried and under the age of 18, unless they have a permanent disability.
- A dependent must reside with you, or you must certify that you provided more than 50 percent of the dependent’s support over the past 12 months or since the loss of custody.
- If you certify to providing more than 50 percent support, you may be required to provide proof.
You can add a dependent to your claim anytime during your benefit year before you exhaust your benefits. To add a dependent, call a UI claim center.
Do not commit fraud
You must answer all questions related to your unemployment claim truthfully. Failing to do and attempting to collect benefits as a result will be considered fraud. All fraud cases may be subject to criminal charges, fines and in some cases, jail or prison time. Not only will you be required to repay any illegally obtained benefits, but you may also have to pay a penalty equal to 50% of the benefits that were paid to you as a result of the misrepresentation. And, further benefits may be withheld.
You must report all the wages you earned each week. Your benefit payment will be reduced by 75 cents for each dollar you earn more than $50. If you do not know how much you earned at the time you report, call the UI claim center within seven days with the correct wage amount.
If you have gross wages equal to or more than one and one-third times your weekly benefit amount plus $50, you will not receive a benefit payment for that week.
If you suspect someone is committing fraud, contact the state offices by email at uifraud@alaska.gov or by calling (907) 269-4835, (907) 269-4880 or (877) 272-4635.
Your benefits are taxable
When you file your tax return you will need to report any unemployment benefits as income and pay taxes accordingly. You will be sent a 1099G by January 31 detailing the amount of your benefits paid to you for the previous year. When you file a claim you can request that 10% of your benefits be withheld for tax purposes.
Extended Benefits
Extended Benefits may be available during times of high unemployment for recipients who exhaust their regular benefits. They are available only when the program is active. Eligible recipients will be contacted and provided with instructions when Extended Benefits becomes active.