Hawaii Unemployment Insurance

The Department of Labor And Industrial Relations oversees the Hawaii Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Unemployment insurance is paid by employers in Hawaii who employ at least one person who earns over a certain cash threshold, which varies yearly. Typically, it is around $1,000-$1,500, depending on the strength of the economy.

Unemployment insurance is not a welfare program, it is an insurance tax trust intended to temporarily supplement the income of workers separated from employment who find themselves unemployed through no fault of their own.

Employers must pay unemployment insurance benefit taxes on wages of up to $42,000 for each employee. This money is then used to provide Hawaii unemployment benefits for workers who qualify to collect unemployment insurance compensation. Benefits are considered taxable income, and must be claimed on federal and state income tax returns for the year.

You should file for unemployment as soon as possible after being laid off,  fired from your position, or had your hours reduced. Your former employer's unemployment insurance account will be used to help cover your expenses until you find a suitable job, should you meet all eligibility qualifications