Tennessee Unemployment Insurance

Tennessee's unemployment insurance program was created by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, a group that sets taxes on businesses to collect funds for unemployment benefits. These businesses include those that paid more than $1,500 gross wages in a calendar quarter or who had at least one employee during 20 different weeks in the base period.

You should never have to pay any money towards your Tennessee unemployment or your unemployment benefits, so report your employer for fraud if they attempt to make you do so.

The rules for qualifying employment units get very precise, including non-profit organizations that have four or more employees for 20 weeks, all state and local government units, and employing units that paid cash wages of $1,000 or more in a calendar quarter for domestic services.

Independent contractors are not eligible for unemployment. Their independent state is gauged on the ABC test, which states that their work was performed:

• Outside the course of the employer's usual business
• Performed outside the place of business
• Part of a trade that is established as independent, such as electrician or plumber

Knowing if your employer meets these criteria is important, as it can help you understand whether or not you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. The complex nature of unemployment insurance is designed to help provide you with assistance when filing for unemployment.