GDOL requires 3 weekly work search contacts to receive unemployment benefits

People receiving unemployment benefits from the State are now required to submit work search evidence listing three verifiable contacts of work search activities as part of their weekly certification process.

The Georgia Department of Labor announced late last week that as of July 4th, claimants who live in the state of Georgia must register with EmployGeorgia.com, the state’s reemployment website, and include his/her social security number during registration.

Individuals will be asked to create a resume or upload a searchable resume to the site.

Per Georgia law, claimants can only be paid for weeks during which they are actively looking for work, including a minimum of three new reportable job contacts each week.

These contacts must be with employers you did not previously contact.

Employer contacts can include those made in person, by telephone, online, or by resumes faxed, mailed, or emailed.

According to a press release issued by Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, failure to submit records of at least three work search contacts weekly may result in a denial of benefits, delayed payment, or possible overpayment and penalties.

Claimants are required to keep a detailed record of work search activities and submit evidence on the GDOL website as a part of weekly certification.

The GDOL encourages claimants to develop a realistic work search plan to find reemployment and verifies work search contacts.

Resources for reemployment assistance along with Information on filing an unemployment claim and details on how employers can file partial claims can be found on the agency’s webpage at dol.georgia.gov.