Mississippi Unemployment Insurance

If you become separated from employment in the state of Mississippi, you can file for unemployment benefits. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security is a state and federal run organization that helps raise money for Mississippi unemployment by setting unemployment tax rates on qualifying employers.

These taxes collect funds for Mississippi unemployment insurance compensation. Typically, they are between 0.2 percent and 5.4 percent for your employer, though new employers receive a rate of 1.0 percent. Various other factors, including how many people are employed and how long the company has paid unemployment insurance taxes, will influence this rate.

Unemployment insurance benefits are considered taxable income, not a welfare program. You must claim any unemployment benefits on your annual federal and state income tax returns. When you submit an initial claim for benefits, you will have the option to withhold taxes from your weekly compensation.

The best way to know if you qualify for unemployment insurance benefits is to submit an application. The online process usually takes about half an hour to an hour to complete. There are no penalties for submitting a claim that is eventually denied, so long as all information you provide is true and accurate.