Unemployment Resources
Many Publix Associates are experiencing difficulties filing for unemployment. Initially lots of us were directed to file for unemployment online, and the GA Department of Labor site has crashed continuously as its server is overloaded. *Now, due to the volume of applicants, restaurant owners are required to file on behalf of all partially and fully laid off employees.* You should make sure your employer has your correct address and look out for incoming mail regarding unemployment. If you suspect your employer has not yet filed on your behalf, ask them in writing to confirm your filing. If they tell you they are unable or waiting to file, contact us!
Georgia Unemployment Resources
How do I file for unemployment?
Are my tips counted towards my unemployment benefits in Georgia?
YES:
Your pay is considered to be the amount of insured wages you earned. Accoring to the Georgia Department of Labor's Employer Handbook, one of the categories of wages covered by unemployment insurance is "tips and gratuities, taxable to the same extent as the FUTA" (pg. 77). FUTA refers to the Federal Unemployment Tax, which, according to the Department of Labor Employer Tax Guide "If an employee reports to you in writing $20 or more of tips in a month, the tips are also subject to FUTA tax." Therefore, as long as your tips are reported by your employer and you make more than $20 or more in tips each month, tips are included in determining how much you will receive in weekly unemployment benefits. If your employer is not correctly reporting your tips: Contact us!
I've been temporarily laid off, can I apply for unemployment in Georgia?
You should not need to file for unemployment in this case:
Your employer is legally required to file a partial unemployment claim on your behalf. You should receive information by mail shortly afterwards. If you believe that your employer has not filed on time: Contact us!
Eviction Resources
Many Publix Associates live paycheck to paycheck, or otherwise do not have a reserve of funds large enough to pay rent in these periods of crisis and may be facing eviction. Our union works closely with Housing Justice League and we strongly recommend their Eviction Defense Manual for all people facing eviction. We can also recommend the following resources:
If you would like support accessing these resources, or help navigating them: Contact us!
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