Unemployed in Louisiana? Get Ready for New Work Search Rules

Louisiana's unemployment rules are about to make a relatively significant change.

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In August of this year, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana's unemployment rate was 4.4% which represents a total of about 91,000 persons who were without work.

A large percentage of those workers received benefits from Louisiana's unemployment insurance, but effective January 4th, those workers will need to to adjust to the upcoming changes or risk losing those benefits.

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In an article from the Louisiana Radio Network, we learn that's when those attempting to qualify for unemployment benefits will be required to complete at least five work-search activities each week.  That's about a sixty percent increase from the current requirement of three work-search activities each week.

In their article, LRN highlighted that Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says the new rule is not intended to punish an unemployed individual.  Wooley said, “The more people look for work, the more quickly they’ll become employed, and that’s the whole goal, because unemployment benefits are hard to live on. In fact, they’re not intended to live on.”

Those work-search activities include attending interviews, updating a resume and participating in job-search or training programs.  According to Wooley,  “Anything that you’re doing to try to move back into the workforce is considered a work search. And once again, after January 4th, it’s going to go to five instead of three.”

He also warned claimants of other new rules that could cause them to lose benefits.  “If you refused a suitable job offer, you could lose your eligibility. If you missed a scheduled job interview without good cause, you could lose your benefit.”