You have to have made enough money in previous jobs to be eligible for unemployment benefits. One of the first things that happens when you file a claim is that DEW will decide whether you meet this requirement.
Generally, the claimant must have earned enough wages in four of the last five completed calendar quarters. This is known as the worker's base period.
To be monetarily eligible for UI benefits, the claimant must
1. Have at least $1,092 in covered employment (with an employer who paid UI taxes) during the base period’s highest quarter.
2. Have earned at least $4,455 from covered employment during the base period.
3. Have total base period wages that is equal to, or exceeds, 1.5 times the high quarter wages’ total.
The Department provides useful information about eligiblity on its website.
If there aren't wages during the base period to show eligibility, DEW will consider the claimant’s alternate base period. This includes the four most recently completed calendar quarters, including the most recently completed quarter preceding a new claim’s effective date.
DEW will send you a Determination of Monetary Eligibility. If you believe DEW has made an error in calculating your monetary eligiblity, you can request reconsideration or appeal. A request for reconsideration or an appeal must be made within ten calendar days of the mailing date listed on the Determination. Prior to the date of the hearing, you should send in evidence to show that you received enough wages to qualify. Pay check stubs are often the best evidence to show what you made.