Benefits shall be due and payable under this chapter only to the extent provided in this chapter and to the extent that moneys are available therefor to the credit of the Unemployment Compensation Fund and neither the State nor the Department shall be liable for any amount in excess of such sums.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  23;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3311;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B; 

All benefits shall be paid through employment offices, in accordance with such regulations as the Department prescribes.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  3;  45 Del. Laws, c. 267, §  5;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3312;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B; 

(a) As used in this section “wages” means wages for employment by employers for benefit purposes with respect to any benefit year only if such benefit year begins subsequent to the date on which the employer by whom such wages were paid has satisfied the conditions of § 3302(12) of this title or § 3343 of this title with respect to becoming an employer.

(b) An individual’s weekly benefit amount, for claims filed for weeks of unemployment beginning July 1, 1983, shall be an amount equal to 1/7 8 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 3 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If such weekly benefit amount is not an even dollar amount, it shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with the following:

(1) For the period beginning July 1, 1983, and ending June 30, 1985, the amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $165.

(2) For the period beginning July 1, 1985, and ending June 30, 1986, the amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $195.

(3) For the period beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987, the amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $205.

(4) For the period beginning July 1, 1987, and ending December 31, 1987, the amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $205.

(5) Computations for each increase in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year commencing on or after the effective date of such increase.

(c) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 1988, and thereafter, with respect to which the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, is equal to or greater than $90 million as of the preceding September 30, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to 1/4 6 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 2 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If such weekly benefit amount is not an even dollar amount, it shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $205. Computations for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year effective on or after January 1 of each year.

(d) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 1988, and thereafter, with respect to which the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, is less than $90 million as of the preceding September 30, and individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to 1/5 2 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 2 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If such weekly benefit amount is not an even amount, it shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $205. Computations for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year effective on or after January 1 of each year.

(e) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 1990, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $225 unless the Unemployment Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $90 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(f) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning July 1, 1991, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $245 unless the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $150 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $150 million, but equal to or greater than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $225. And when the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(g) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning July 1, 1993, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $265 unless the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $165 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $165 million, but equal to or greater than $150 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $245. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $150 million, but equal to or greater than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $225. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation of any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(h) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning July 1, 1995, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $300 unless the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $200 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $200 million, but equal to or greater than $165 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $265. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $165 million, but equal to or greater than $150 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $245. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $150 million, but equal to or greater than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $225. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(i) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning July 1, 1999, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $315 unless the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $250 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $250 million, but equal to or greater than $200 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $300. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $200 million, but equal to or greater than $165 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $265. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $165 million, but equal to or greater than $150 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $245. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $150 million, but equal to or greater than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $225. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(j) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 2002, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be determined in accordance with subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section as determined by the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. However, for such claims, the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $330 unless the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance, as certified by the Director of Unemployment Insurance to the Secretary of Labor, as of the preceding September 30, is less than $275 million. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is less than $275 million, but equal to or greater than $250 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $315. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $250 million, but equal to or greater than $200 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $300. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $200 million, but equal to or greater than $165 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $265. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $165 million, but equal to or greater than $150 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $245. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $150 million, but equal to or greater than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $225. When the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance is less than $90 million, the maximum weekly benefit amount shall be no more than $205. Computation for any change in the maximum weekly benefit amount shall commence with new claims filed to establish a benefit year on or after January 1 of each year.

(k) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 2004, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to 1/46 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 2 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If such weekly benefit amount is not an even dollar amount, it shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $330.

(l) The Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council as defined in § 3107 of this title shall meet not less than every 2 years to review and make recommendations regarding the maximum weekly benefit amount. The Council’s final recommendations shall be submitted to the Director of Unemployment Insurance by May 15 of the year in which the Council has met.

(m) Each eligible individual who is unemployed in any week shall be paid with respect to such week a sum equal to the individual’s weekly benefit amount less that part of the wages (if any) payable to the individual with respect to such week which exceeds whichever is the greater of $10 or 50 percent of the individual’s weekly benefit amount. Such sum, if not an even dollar, shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar. Wages do not have to be paid to be considered payable.

(n) Any eligible individual who filed a claim for benefits for weeks of unemployment prior to July 1975 shall be entitled during any benefit year to a total amount of benefits equal to whichever is the lesser of (i) 26 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount, or (ii) 47 percent of the individual’s wages for employment by employers paid during the individual’s base period. If such amount is not an even dollar, it shall be raised to the next whole dollar. In no event shall the maximum total amount be less than 11 times the weekly benefit amount.

(o) Any eligible individual who files a claim for benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning July, 1975, and thereafter shall be entitled during any benefit year to a total amount of benefits equal to whichever is the lesser of (i) 26 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount or (ii) 50 percent of the individual’s wages for employment by employers paid during the individual’s base period. If such amount is not an even dollar, it shall be rounded down to the next whole dollar.

(p) Any otherwise eligible individuals shall be paid with respect to any week a benefit amount equal to the individual’s weekly benefit amount less that part of a retirement pension or annuity, if any, received by the individual or for which the individual is eligible under a private pension plan which is financed entirely by a base period employer of such employee, and which is in excess of the weekly benefit amount for which the individual is eligible under this chapter. If there is employee participation in financing a pension plan, such deduction shall be reduced in the same proportion as the employee’s contribution to the pension bears to the total pension amount. If such retirement pension or annuity payment deductible under this subsection is received on other than a weekly basis, the amount thereof shall be allocated and prorated in accordance with such regulation as the Department shall prescribe. This subsection shall apply only to any new claim filed after August 9, 1961.

The weekly benefit amount payable to an individual for any week which begins after March 31, 1980, and which begins in a period with respect to which such individual is receiving or is eligible to receive a governmental or other pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity or any other similar periodic payment which is based on the previous work of such individual or which begins in a period with respect to which such individual is receiving or is eligible for sickness disability or workers’ compensation benefits shall be reduced (but not below 0) by the sum of the prorated weekly amount of such pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity or other payment and the prorated weekly amount of such disability or worker’s compensation benefits payment which is reasonably attributable to such work; provided that, in the case of the pension retirement or retired pay, annuity or other payment, if the provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [26 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq.] permit:

(1) The requirements of this paragraph shall only apply in the case of a pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity or other similar periodic payment under a plan maintained (or contributed to) by a base period or chargeable employer (as determined under this chapter);

(2) The amount of any such reduction shall be determined taking into account contributions made by the individual for the pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity or other similar periodic payment;

(3) In the case of a payment in the form of a pension, annuity, retirement or retired payment paid to an individual under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.] or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.], the individual’s contribution shall be taken into consideration and the weekly benefit amount payable to said individual for any week which begins after July 1, 1997, shall be reduced by 25 percent of the individual’s weekly benefit amount under the Social Security Act or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974;

(4) In the case of a payment in the form of a pension, annuity, retirement or retired payment paid to an individual under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.), the individual’s contribution shall be taken into consideration and the weekly benefit amount payable to said individual for any week which begins after January 1, 1999, shall not be reduced.

(5) Any overpayment which may result from the retroactive application of this paragraph may, at the discretion of the Secretary of Labor, be waived.

(q) (1) An individual filing a new claim for unemployment compensation shall, at the time of filing such claim, disclose whether or not the individual owes child support obligations as defined under paragraph (q)(7) of this section. If any such individual discloses that the individual owes child support obligations, and is determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation, the Department shall notify the state or local child support enforcement agency enforcing such obligation that the individual has been determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation.

(2) The Department shall deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation payable to an individual that owes child support obligations as defined under paragraph (q)(7) of this section:

a. The amount specified by the individual to the Department to be deducted and withheld under this paragraph, if neither paragraph (q)(2)b. nor c. of this section is applicable;

b. The amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the Department under § 454(19)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 654(19)(B)(i)] by the state or local child support enforcement agency, unless paragraph (q)(2)c. of this section is applicable; or

c. Any amount otherwise required to be so deducted and withheld from such unemployment compensation pursuant to legal process (as that term is defined in § 459(i)(5) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 659(i)(5)]) properly served upon the Department.

(3) Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph (q)(2) of this section shall be paid by the Department to the appropriate state or local child support enforcement agency.

(4) Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph (q)(2) of this section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by such individual to the state or local child support enforcement agency in satisfaction of the individual’s child support obligations.

(5) For purposes of paragraphs (q)(1) through (4) of this section, the term “unemployment compensation” means any compensation payable under this chapter (including amounts payable by the Department pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances with respect to unemployment).

(6) This subsection applies only if appropriate arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the state or local child support enforcement agency for the administrative costs incurred by the Department under this subsection which are attributable to child support obligations being enforced by the state or local child support enforcement agency.

(7) The term “child support obligation” is defined for purposes of these provisions as including only obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in § 454 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 654] which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.].

(8) The term “state or local child support enforcement agency” as used in these provisions means any agency of a state or a political subdivision thereof operating pursuant to a plan described in paragraph (q)(7) of this section.

(r) (1) An individual filing a new claim for unemployment compensation shall, at the time of filing such claims, disclose whether or not that individual owes an uncollected overissuance (as defined in § 13(c)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2022]) of food stamp coupons. The Department shall notify the state food stamp agency enforcing such obligation of any individual who discloses that the individual owes a food stamp coupon obligation and who is determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation.

(2) The Department shall deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation payable to an individual who owes an uncollected overissuance of food stamp coupons:

a. The amount specified by the individual to the Department to be deducted and withheld under this paragraph, if neither paragraph (r)(2)b. nor c. of this section is applicable;

b. The amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the Department by the state food stamp agency under § 13(c)(3)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2022], unless paragraph (r)(2)c. of this section is applicable; or

c. Any amount otherwise required to be deducted and withheld from unemployment compensation pursuant to § 13(c)(3)(B) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2022].

(3) Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph (r)(2) of this section shall be paid by the Department to the appropriate state food stamp agency.

(4) Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph (r)(2) of this section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by such individual to the state food stamp agency as repayment of the individual’s uncollected overissuance of food stamp coupons.

(5) For purposes of paragraphs (r)(1) through (4) of this section, the term “unemployment compensation” means any compensation payable under this chapter, including amounts payable by the Department pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(6) This subsection applies only if arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the state food stamp agency for the administrative costs incurred by the Department under this subsection which are attributable to the repayment of uncollected overissuance of food stamp coupons to the state food stamp agency.

(7) The term “state food stamp agency,” as used in these provisions, means any agency described in § 3(n)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2012] which administers the food stamp program established under such act.

(s) For claims establishing a benefit year beginning July 1, 2019 and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to 1/46 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 2 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If the weekly benefit amount is not an even dollar amount, it will be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $400.

(t) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this section, for claims establishing a benefit year beginning April 2, 2023, and thereafter, an individual’s weekly benefit amount shall be an amount equal to 1/46 of the individual’s total wages for employment by employers paid during the 2 quarters of the individual’s base period in which such wages were highest. If the weekly benefit amount is not an even dollar amount, it will be rounded down to the next whole dollar. The amount shall not be less than $20 nor more than $450.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  3;  42 Del. Laws, c. 196, §§  7-9;  43 Del. Laws, c. 281, §  3;  44 Del. Laws, c. 207, §  2;  45 Del. Laws, c. 267, §  5;  47 Del. Laws, c. 185, §§  1, 2;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3313;  50 Del. Laws, c. 117, §§  2, 3;  51 Del. Laws, c. 343;  53 Del. Laws, c. 158, §§  2-4;  55 Del. Laws, c. 358, §  1;  57 Del. Laws, c. 521, §§  2-4;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  59 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  1;  60 Del. Laws, c. 138, §  2;  61 Del. Laws, c. 186, §§  15, 33;  62 Del. Laws, c. 163, §  1;  62 Del. Laws, c. 287, §  1;  63 Del. Laws, c. 76, §  3;  63 Del. Laws, c. 427, §  6;  64 Del. Laws, c. 91, §  7;  64 Del. Laws, c. 114, §§  2, 3;  64 Del. Laws, c. 272, §  1;  65 Del. Laws, c. 45, §  2;  65 Del. Laws, c. 179, §  1;  66 Del. Laws, c. 72, §§  2-7;  67 Del. Laws, c. 119, §§  3, 4;  68 Del. Laws, c. 104, §§  1, 2;  69 Del. Laws, c. 89, §§  1, 2;  70 Del. Laws, c. 46, §§  5, 6;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 28, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 146, §§  1, 2;  71 Del. Laws, c. 147, §  2;  71 Del. Laws, c. 392, §§  1, 2;  71 Del. Laws, c. 404, §§  1, 2;  72 Del. Laws, c. 103, §§  1, 2;  73 Del. Laws, c. 209, §§  1, 2;  74 Del. Laws, c. 143, §§  1, 2;  82 Del. Laws, c. 80, § 2;  84 Del. Laws, c. 2, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 4; 

An individual shall be disqualified for benefits:

(1) For the week in which the individual left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. However, if an individual has left work involuntarily because of illness, no disqualification shall prevail after the individual becomes able to work and available for work and meets all other requirements under this title, but the Department shall require a doctor’s certificate to establish such availability or if an individual has left work due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual’s experience of domestic violence, as that term is defined in § 703A(a) of Title 13, no disqualification shall prevail. An individual’s leaving work shall be treated as due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual’s experience of domestic violence if the leaving work resulted from:

a. The individual’s reasonable fear of future domestic violence at or en route to or from the individual’s place of employment;

b. The individual’s wish to relocate to another geographic area in order to avoid future domestic violence against the individual or the individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent; or

c. Any other circumstance in which domestic violence causes the individual to reasonably believe that leaving work is necessary for the future safety of the individual or the individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent.

When determining whether an individual has experienced domestic violence for compensation purposes, the Division shall require the individual to provide documentation to the Division of the domestic violence involved, such as a police or court record, or documentation of the domestic violence from a shelter worker, attorney, member of the clergy or medical or other professional from whom the employee has sought assistance in addressing domestic violence and its effects. All evidence of domestic violence experienced by an individual, including the individual’s statement and any corroborating evidence shall not be disclosed by the Division of Unemployment Insurance unless consent for disclosure is given by the individual. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer. An individual who becomes unemployed solely as the result of completing a period of employment that was of a seasonal, durational, temporary or casual duration will not be considered as a matter of law to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work solely on the basis of the duration of such employment.

An individual who, pursuant to an option provided under a collective bargaining agreement or written employer plan which permits the waiver of the right to retain employment when there is a temporary layoff due to lack of work, has elected to be separated for a temporary period not to exceed 30 calendar days and the employer has consented thereto will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work.

An individual, who quits work in order to accompany that individual’s spouse to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute and due to a change in location of that individual’s spouse’s employment, will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

An individual, who quits work to care for that individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent with a verified illness or disability, will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work. For the purposes of this paragraph, a “verified illness or disability” is defined as one that necessitates the care of the individual’s ill or disabled spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent that lasts longer than the individual’s employer is willing to grant leave for. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

(2) For the week in which the individual was discharged from the individual’s work for just cause in connection with the individual’s work and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

An individual, who is discharged from work because the individual has provided notice to that individual’s employer of the intent to quit work to accompany that individual’s spouse to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute and due to a change in location of the individual’s spouse’s employment, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

An individual, who is discharged from work because the individual is providing care for that individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent with a verified illness or disability, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. For the purposes of this paragraph, a “verified illness or disability” is defined as one that necessitates the care of the individual’s ill or disabled spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent that lasts longer than the individual’s employer is willing to grant leave for. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

An individual, who is discharged from work due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual’s experience of domestic violence, as that term is defined in § 703A (a) of Title 13, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. An individual’s discharge from work shall be treated as due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual’s experience of domestic violence if:

a. The individual had reasonable fear of future domestic violence at or en route to or from the individual’s place of employment;

b. The individual relocated to another geographic area in order to avoid future domestic violence against the individual or the individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent; or

c. Any other circumstance in which domestic violence causes the individual to reasonably believe that absence from work is necessary for the future safety of the individual or the individual’s spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent.

When determining whether an individual has experienced domestic violence for compensation purposes, the Division shall require the individual to provide documentation to the Division of the domestic violence involved, such as a police or court record, or documentation of the domestic violence from a shelter worker, attorney, member of the clergy or medical or other professional from whom the employee has sought assistance in addressing domestic violence and its effects. All evidence of domestic violence experienced by an individual, including the individual’s statement and any corroborating evidence shall not be disclosed by the Division of Unemployment Insurance unless consent for disclosure is given by the individual. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

(3) If the individual has refused to accept an offer of work for which the individual is reasonably fitted or has refused to accept a referral to a job opportunity when directed to do so by a local employment office of this State or another state, and the disqualification shall begin with the week in which the refusal occurred and shall continue for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount; provided that no individual shall be disqualified under this paragraph for refusing to accept an offer of work or a referral while the individual is attending a vocational training course approved by the Department if the acceptance of such offer or referral would prevent the individual from completing the course. No individual otherwise qualified to receive benefits shall lose the right to benefits by reason of a refusal to accept a referral or new work if:

a. As a condition of being so employed, the individual would be required by the employer to join a company union or would be required by the employer to resign from or refrain from joining any bona fide labor organization or would be denied the right by the employer to retain membership in and observe the lawful rules of any such organization;

b. The position offered is vacant due directly to a strike, lockout or other labor dispute;

c. The work is at an unreasonable distance from the individual’s residence, having regard to the character of the work the individual has been accustomed to do, and travel to the place of work involves expenses substantially greater than that required for the individual’s former work;

d. The remuneration, hours or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality; or

e. The referral or offer was for full-time work and the individual is permitted to seek only part-time work under the provisions of § 3315(3) of this title.

(4) For any week with respect to which the Department finds that the individual’s total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute (other than a lockout) at the factory, establishment or other premises at which the individual is or was last employed. For purposes of this paragraph, a lockout exists when:

a. The contract between the employing unit and the individual’s bona fide labor organization has expired and contract negotiations are continuing;

b. The individual, through a bona fide labor organization, has offered to continue working for a reasonable time under the preexisting terms and conditions of employment so as to avert a work stoppage pending the final settlement of the contract negotiations; and

c. The employing unit has refused to permit work to continue and maintain the status quo for a reasonable time pending further negotiations.

(5) For any week with respect to which or a part of which the individual has received or is seeking unemployment benefits under an unemployment compensation law of another state or of the United States, but if the appropriate agency of such other state or of the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to such unemployment benefits, this disqualification shall not apply.

(6) If the Department determines such individual has made a false statement or representation knowing it to be false or knowingly has failed to disclose a material fact to obtain benefits to which the individual was not lawfully entitled, and such disqualification shall be for a period of 1 year beginning with the date on which the first false statement, false representation or failure to disclose a material fact occurred. A disqualification issued pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a disqualification due to fraud.

(7) For any week with respect to which the Department finds that the individual has become unemployed by reason of commitment upon conviction and sentencing to any penal institution and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in the individual’s most recent employment prior to such commitment, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer’s benefit wages in connection with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

(8) If it shall be determined by the Department that total or partial unemployment is due to the individual’s inability to work. Such disqualification to terminate when the individual becomes able to work and available for work as determined by a doctor’s certificate and meets all other requirements under this title.

(9) Benefits shall not be paid to any individual on the basis of any services, substantially all of which consist of participating in sports or athletic events or training or preparing to so participate, for any week which commences during the period between 2 successive sport seasons (or similar periods) if such individual performed such services in the first of such seasons (or similar periods) and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the latter of such seasons (or similar periods).

(10) a. Benefits shall not be paid on the basis of services performed by an alien unless such alien is an individual who was lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time such services were performed, was lawfully present for purposes of performing such services or was permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time such services were performed, including an alien who was lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of § 212(d)(5) [8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)] of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

b. Any data or information required of individuals applying for benefits to determine whether benefits are not payable to them because of their alien status shall be uniformly required from all applicants for benefits.

c. In the case of an individual whose application for benefits would otherwise be approved, no determination that benefits to such individual are not payable because of the individual’s alien status shall be made except upon a preponderance of the evidence.

(11) a. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no otherwise eligible individual shall be denied benefits for any week because the individual is in training, approved under § 236(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 [19 U.S.C. § 2296(a)(1)], nor shall such individual be denied benefits by reason of leaving work to enter such training, provided the work left is not suitable employment, or because of the application to any such week in training of provisions in this law (or any applicable federal unemployment compensation law), relating to availability for work, active search for work or refusal to accept work.

b. For purposes of this paragraph (11), the term “suitable employment” means, with respect to an individual, work of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the individual’s past adversely affected employment (as defined for purposes of the Trade Act of 1974), and wages for such work at not less than 80 percent of the individual’s average wage as determined for the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  5;  42 Del. Laws, c. 196, §§  13-16;  43 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§  6-9;  44 Del. Laws, c. 207, §  6;  46 Del. Laws, c. 162, §§  4-7;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3315;  50 Del. Laws, c. 49, §  1;  50 Del. Laws, c. 115, §§  5, 6;  53 Del. Laws, c. 32, §§  1, 2;  53 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  1;  53 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  2;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  58 Del. Laws, c. 518;  61 Del. Laws, c. 186, §§  18-20;  61 Del. Laws, c. 452, §  6;  63 Del. Laws, c. 427, §  7;  65 Del. Laws, c. 514, §§  1-5;  66 Del. Laws, c. 389, §  1;  67 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  1;  67 Del. Laws, c. 435, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 247, §§  1-3;  68 Del. Laws, c. 421, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 311, §  1;  72 Del. Laws, c. 361, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 306, §§  1, 2;  77 Del. Laws, c. 71, §§  2-8;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 5; 

An unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive benefits with respect to any week only if the Department finds that the individual:

(1) Has registered for work at and thereafter continued to report at an employment office in accordance with such regulations as the Department prescribes, except that the Department may, by regulation, waive or alter either or both of the requirements of this paragraph as to individuals attached to regular jobs and as to such other types of cases or situations with respect to which it finds that compliance with such requirements would be oppressive or would be inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter, but no such regulation shall conflict with § 3312 of this title;

(2) Has made a claim for benefits with respect to such week in accordance with such regulations as the Department prescribes;

(3) Is able to work and is available for work and is actively seeking work; provided, however, that an employee, not otherwise disqualified or ineligible for benefits under the chapter, who is temporarily laid off for a period of not more than 45 calendar days following the last day the employee worked, except that the period for those employees of employers who close down for annual model changes or retooling shall be 63 calendar days, shall, during said period, be deemed to be available for work, except that said employee shall be available to return to work upon 3 days’ notice of the employee’s employer, and actively seeking work if the employee’s employer notified the Department in writing or the Department otherwise determines that such layoff is temporary and that work is reasonably expected to be available for said employee within said period or within a lesser period estimated by the employer, and the Department may, by regulation, waive or alter the requirements that such individual be able to work, available for work and actively seeking work as to such types of cases or situations with respect to which it finds that compliance with such requirements would be oppressive or would be inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter. Provided further than an individual who has been involuntarily retired shall be entitled to receive benefits, and the individual shall be required to be available only for the kind or type of work which is suitable for the individual in view of individual’s age, physical condition and other circumstances; but no claimant shall be considered ineligible in any week of unemployment for failure to comply with this paragraph (3) if such failure is due to an illness or disability which occurs after the claimant has registered for work and no work which would have been considered suitable at the time of the claimant’s initial registration has been offered after the beginning of such illness or disability. The Department shall require the submission of a doctor’s certificate to establish the existence of such illness or disability, and, thereafter, the Department shall require a doctor’s certificate not less than once every 4 weeks to establish any continuation of such illness or disability. Provided that no unemployed individual shall become ineligible for benefits solely because the individual regularly attends a vocational training course which the Department has approved and which it continues from time to time to approve for the individual. The Department may approve such course for an individual only if:

a. Reasonable employment opportunities for which the individual is fitted by training and experience do not exist in the locality or are severely curtailed;

b. The training course relates to an occupation or skill for which there are expected to be in the immediate future reasonable employment opportunities in the locality;

c. The training course is determined by the Department to be reasonably calculated to meet the purposes of this paragraph (3); and

d. The individual, in the judgment of the Department, has the required qualifications and aptitudes to complete the course successfully.

No individual shall be determined ineligible for the receipt of unemployment insurance benefits for any week in which they are available for and seek only part-time work, if the majority of weeks of work in their base period were in part-time employment. For purposes of this paragraph, “seeking only part-time work” is work meeting any 1 of the following conditions: (i) the individual is willing to work at least 20 hours per week; (ii) the individual is available for a number of hours per week that are comparable to the individual’s part-time work in the base period; or (iii) the individual is available for hours that are comparable to the individual’s work at the time of the most recent separation from employment.

(4) Participates in reemployment services, such as job search assistance services, if the individual has been determined to be likely to exhaust regular benefits and need reemployment services pursuant to a profiling system established by the Department, unless the Department determines that:

a. The individual has completed such services; or

b. There is justifiable cause for the claimant’s failure to participate in such services.

(5) No week shall be counted as a week of unemployment for the purposes of this paragraph:

a. Unless it occurs within the benefit year which includes the week with respect to which the individual claims payment of benefits;

b. [Repealed.]

c. Unless the individual was eligible for benefits with respect thereto as provided in this section and § 3314 of this title, except for the requirements of paragraph (5) of this section and § 3314(5) of this title;

(6) a. Has, during the individual’s base period, been paid wages for employment equal to not less than 36 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount, and, as used in this paragraph (6), “wages” means wages for employment by employers for benefit purposes with respect to any benefit year only if such benefit year begins subsequent to the date on which the employing unit by which such wages were paid has satisfied the conditions of § 3302(12) or § 3343 of this title with respect to becoming an employer.

Any other provision of this paragraph notwithstanding, any otherwise eligible individual, the total amount of those wages paid to the individual during the individual’s base period is less than the amount required to have been received under this paragraph, may be eligible to receive benefits if the difference between 36 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount and the total amount of the individual’s wages during the individual’s base period does not exceed $180, but the amount of the individual’s weekly benefit shall be reduced by $1.00 for each $36 or major fraction thereof by which the total amount of the individual’s base period wages is less than 36 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount. In no event shall any such individual be eligible for benefits if the total amount of wages paid to the individual during the individual’s base period was less than $360; however, for claims filed for weeks of unemployment beginning July 1, 1975, no such individual shall be eligible for benefits if the total amount of wages paid the individual during the individual’s base period was less than $720.

b. Wages paid to an individual prior to the date on which the individual filed a valid claim for benefits, but not paid until after the base period for such claim, may be considered as wages in a subsequent base period, relating to a new benefit year, only if subsequent to the date on which the individual filed such earlier valid claim such individual had become newly employed and had been paid wages in such new employment equal to not less than 10 times the individual’s new weekly benefit amount. This paragraph shall apply to any new claim filed after August 9, 1961.

(7) Benefits based on service in employment defined in § 3302(10)(B)(iii) and (C) of this title shall be payable in the same amount, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as benefits payable on the basis of other service subject to this title, except that:

a. With respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after December 31, 1977, benefits shall not be paid based on services in an instructional, research or principal administrative capacity for an educational institution for any week of unemployment commencing during the period between successive academic years or terms (or, when an agreement provides instead for a similar period between 2 regular but not successive terms, during such period) to any individual if such individual performs such services in the first of such academic years (or terms) and if there is a contract or a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform service in any such capacity for any educational institution in the second of such academic years or terms.

b. With respect to weeks of unemployment beginning or ending after September 3, 1982, benefits shall not be paid on the basis of services in any other capacity for an educational institution to any individual for any week which commences during a period between 2 successive academic years or terms if such individual performs such services in the first of such academic years or terms and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the second of such academic years or terms, except that if compensation is denied to any individual under this paragraph and such individual was not offered an opportunity to perform such services for the educational institution for the second of such academic years or terms, such individual shall be entitled to a retroactive payment of compensation for each week of unemployment beginning after September 3, 1982, for which the individual filed a timely claim for compensation and for which compensation was denied solely by reason of this paragraph.

c. With respect to any services described in paragraphs (7)a. and b. of this section, compensation payable on the basis of such services shall be denied to any individual for any week which commences during an established and customary vacation period or holiday recess if such individual performs such services in the period immediately before such vacation period or holiday recess and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the period immediately following such vacation period or holiday recess.

d. With respect to any services described in paragraphs (7)a. and b. of this section, compensation shall be denied as specified in paragraphs (7)a., b. and c. of this section to any individual who performed such services in an educational institution while in the employ of an educational service agency. For purposes of this paragraph the term “educational service agency” means a governmental agency or governmental entity which is established and operated exclusively for the purpose of providing such services to 1 or more educational institutions.

e. If the provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [26 U.S.C. §§ 3301-3311] permit, paragraphs (7)a., b., c. and d. of this section shall apply to the minimum extent consistent with the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and such application shall be prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of Labor.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  4;  42 Del. Laws, c. 196, §  12;  43 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§  4, 5;  43 Del. Laws, c. 281, §  5;  44 Del. Laws, c. 207, §  5;  45 Del. Laws, c. 267, §  6;  46 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  3;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3314;  50 Del. Laws, c. 50, §  1;  50 Del. Laws, c. 115, §  4;  53 Del. Laws, c. 158, §  5;  53 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  1;  54 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  1;  55 Del. Laws, c. 222;  55 Del. Laws, c. 358, §  2;  55 Del. Laws, c. 436;  58 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  6;  58 Del. Laws, c. 209;  58 Del. Laws, c. 522, §§  16-18;  60 Del. Laws, c. 138, §  3;  61 Del. Laws, c. 186, §§  16, 17;  61 Del. Laws, c. 452, §§  2-5;  63 Del. Laws, c. 76, §  6;  64 Del. Laws, c. 114, §  4;  64 Del. Laws, c. 427, §§  2, 3;  69 Del. Laws, c. 273, §§  1, 2;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 306, §  3;  77 Del. Laws, c. 71, §  9;  79 Del. Laws, c. 173, §§  1, 2;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 6; 

(a) In the case of a claimant whose base period earnings represent 75 percent or more earnings received for seasonal employment, benefits shall be payable in any benefit year in any given calendar month only if the claimant had been employed in the corresponding month of the claim base period.

(b) As used in this section, “seasonal employment” means employment in a seasonal industry by an individual who has been engaged in such industry during the claim base period and who, during the portion or portions of the year when such industry was not in operation, was not engaged in any other work. No occupation or industry shall be deemed to provide seasonal employment that is not part of the first processing of agricultural products and/or seafood products.

(c) For the purposes of this section, a week shall be considered to fall within a month if 4 or more days of the week fall within such month. The limitations of this section shall not apply to the payment of benefits for partial employment.

66 Del. Laws, c. 392, §  1; 

(a) Claims for benefits shall be made in accordance with such regulations as the Department prescribes. Each employer shall post and maintain printed statements of such regulations in places readily accessible to individuals in the employer’s service and shall make available to each such individual at the time the individual becomes unemployed a printed statement of such regulations. Such printed statements shall be supplied by the Department to each employer without cost to the employer.

(b) Whenever an individual files a claim for benefits, the Department shall forward to the employer by whom the claimant was most recently employed, hereafter the “last employer,” or to the last employer’s agent and to each base period employer or to each base period employer’s agent relating to the individual’s claim a separation notice. The last and base period employer(s) or agent(s) of the last and base period employer(s) shall return such notices completed, indicating the reason for the claimant’s separation from work with them and the individual claimant’s last date of work with them, within 15 days of the date contained on the separation notice. Any last or base period employer or any last or base period employer’s agent who fails to timely return a separation notice or who fails to complete a separation notice or responds inadequately (which, for the purposes of this subsection, shall mean providing the Department insufficient information to make a determination of eligibility for the receipt of unemployment insurance benefits) within the period prescribed above shall be barred from claiming subsequently that the individual claimant to whom such separation notice applied shall be disqualified under any provisions of § 3314 of this title and shall be barred from seeking relief from benefit wage charges (prior to January 1, 2027) and benefit charges (January 1, 2027, and after) to its experience merit rating account under § § 3349 through 3356 of this title unless the Department for reasons found to constitute good cause, shall release such employer or the employer’s agent from the default. If the last or base period employer or the last or base period employer’s agent fails to timely submit a completed separation notice, the Department shall not be required to issue a determination on said claim or to make an examination of said claim or be required to follow the remaining procedures as set forth in § § 3318 through 3320 of this title.

(c) Upon receipt by the Department of a timely submitted and completed separation notice from the last or base period employer or the last or base period employer’s agent, and if said employer’s or employer agent’s statement on the separation notice does not contest the claimant’s entitlement to benefits by raising a potentially disqualifying issue as the reason for the claimant’s separation or indicates that the claimant was laid off due to lack of work, the employer shall be subject to benefit wage charges (prior to January 1, 2027) and benefit charges (January 1, 2027, and after) to its experience merit rating account in accordance with § § 3349 through 3356 of this title; and such employer and employer’s agent shall not be entitled to any further appeal or relief of benefit wage charges (prior to January 1, 2027) or benefit charges (January 1, 2027, and after) on the basis of such claim. In such cases, the Department shall not be required to make an examination of said claim or of benefit wage charges (prior to January 1, 2027) or benefit charges (January 1, 2027, and after) to the employer’s experience merit rating account, nor shall the Department be required to issue or send a determination to the last or base period employer or to the last or base period employer’s agent or to the claimant on such claim for benefits, nor shall the Department be required to follow the remaining procedures for determination of such claims as set forth in § § 3318 through 3320 of this title. In addition, in such cases, benefits shall be paid unless it is later determined by the Division that such claimant is not otherwise qualified or eligible for benefits, but in no event, shall such employer or the employer’s agent be entitled to be a party to such later determination or be entitled to benefit wage charge relief (prior to January 1, 2027) or benefit charge relief (January 1, 2027, and after) on such claim.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3317;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  70 Del. Laws, c. 121, §§  1, 2;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  79 Del. Laws, c. 82, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 2;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 7; 

(a) If the last employer timely files a completed separation notice in accordance with § 3317 of this title and the employer’s statement on the separation notice does raise a potentially disqualifying issue as to the reason for the claimant’s separation, the claim shall be referred to a representative of the Department, hereinafter referred to as a Claims Deputy, who shall examine the claim and on the basis of the facts found by the Claims Deputy shall initially determine the individual’s qualification and nonmonetary eligibility for benefits, and issue a determination in which it is determined whether or not such claim is valid. If valid, the Claims Deputy shall further determine the week with respect to which benefits shall commence. In lieu of making a determination, the Claims Deputy may elect to refer such claim or any question involved therein to an appeal tribunal which shall make its decision with respect thereto in accordance with the procedure described in subsection (c) of this section. In either case, the Claims Deputy shall promptly notify the claimant and the last employer of the Deputy’s own determination and the reasons therefor. The Claims Deputy may for good cause reconsider a determination and shall promptly notify the claimant and the last employer of the Deputy’s amended determination and the reasons therefor, as the case may be. Base period employers who have submitted timely and completed separation notices in accordance with § 3317 of this title may seek relief from benefit wage charges (prior to January 1, 2027) and benefit charges (January 1, 2027, and after) charged to their experience merit rating accounts in accordance with § 3355 of this title except that for a claim in which the last employer is also a base period employer for such claim, the issue of benefit wage charge relief (prior to January 1, 2027) or benefit charge relief (January 1, 2027, and after) or such base period employer shall be determined in accordance with the determination on the issue of the claimant’s last separation from such employer.

(b) Unless a claimant or a last employer who has submitted a timely and completed separation notice in accordance with § 3317 of this title files an appeal within 15 calendar days after such Claims Deputy’s determination was mailed to the claimant’s and last employer’s last known addresses or otherwise delivered by the Department to the claimant and the last employer, the Claims Deputy’s determination shall be final and benefits shall be paid or denied in accordance therewith. If a Claims Deputy’s determination awards benefits, such benefits shall be paid promptly in accordance with such determination upon its issuance. If an appeal is filed from a Claims Deputy’s determination that awards benefits, benefits shall be paid in accordance with such determination notwithstanding such appeal, but if the appeals tribunal’s determination or a determination of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board under §§ 3320 through 3322 of this title, or judicial review under § 3323 of this title, modifies or reverses the award of the benefits, the claimant shall be paid benefits for the weeks of unemployment following the issuance of such an appeals tribunal, Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board or judicial review decision only in accordance with such decisions.

(c) Unless the appeal is withdrawn, an appeals tribunal, after affording the parties reasonable opportunity for fair hearing, shall affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the deputy. The parties shall be duly notified of the tribunal’s decision, together with its reason therefor, which shall be deemed to be final unless within 15 days after such tribunal’s decision was mailed to the parties’ last known addresses or otherwise delivered by the tribunal to the parties further appeal is initiated pursuant to § 3320 of this title. If an appeals tribunal decision awards benefits, such benefits shall be paid promptly in accordance with such decision upon its issuance. If an appeal is filed from an appeals tribunal’s decision that awards benefits, benefits shall be paid in accordance with such decision notwithstanding such appeal, but if the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s decision modifies or reverses the award of benefits, the claimant shall be paid benefits for weeks of unemployment following the issuance of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s decision only in accordance with such decision. Benefits to which the claimant is not entitled under the decision of the appeals tribunal shall not be paid for any week ending after the decision is issued, but any benefits which the claimant is determined to be otherwise entitled to receive shall be paid notwithstanding any further appeal from the decision of the appeals tribunal.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  43 Del. Laws, c. 280, §  10;  46 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  8;  48 Del. Laws, c. 179, §  2;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3318;  53 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  1;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  58 Del. Laws, c. 230, §§  1, 2;  63 Del. Laws, c. 427, §§  8, 9;  70 Del. Laws, c. 121, §§  3, 4;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 81, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 3;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 8; 

To hear and decide disputed claims, protests under § 3368(e) of this title, disputed overpayments and overpayment waivers under § 3325 of this title, and hearings under § 3369 of this title, the Department shall appoint 1 or more impartial appeal tribunals consisting in each case of either a salaried examiner, to be known as a referee, or a body consisting of 3 members, 1 of whom shall be a referee who shall serve as chairperson, 1 of whom shall be a representative of employers and the other of whom shall be a representative of employees. Each of the latter 2 members shall serve at the pleasure of the Department and be paid a fee of not more than $10 per day of active service on such tribunal plus necessary expenses. No person shall participate on behalf of the Department in any case in which that person is an interested party. The Department may designate alternates to serve in the absence or disqualification of any member of an appeal tribunal. The chairperson shall act alone in the absence or disqualification of any other member and that member’s alternates. In no case shall the hearing proceed unless the chairperson of the appeal tribunal is present.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3319;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 129, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 212, § 3; 

(a) The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board [UIAB] may on its own motion, affirm, modify, or reverse any decision of an appeal tribunal on the basis of the evidence previously submitted to the appeal tribunal or it may permit any of the parties to such decision to initiate further appeal before it. The Unemployment UIAB shall remand a case to the appeal tribunal to supplement the existing evidence when it is determined to be insufficient to form a substantial basis for a decision. Appeals to the UIAB may be made by the parties to a disputed unemployment insurance claim, as well as by the claims deputy whose decision is modified or reversed by an appeals tribunal. The UIAB shall promptly notify all interested parties of its findings and decision.

(b) On, or after, July 7, 2005, the UIAB shall schedule and hear any appeal of an Appeals Referee’s decision where such appeal, although timely filed, was not scheduled and heard by the UIAB prior to December 31, 2004. Notwithstanding the appeal period set forth in § 3318(c) of this title, until August 6, 2005, the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall consider as timely, any appeal of an Appeals Referee decision that could not have been accepted after December 31, 2004, and prior to July 7, 2005.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3320;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5E;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §§  1, 3, 4;  84 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 4; 

(a) The manner in which disputed claims shall be presented and the conduct of hearings and appeals shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board for determining the rights of the parties, whether or not such regulations conform to common-law or statutory rules of evidence and other technical rules of procedure.

(b) A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings in connection with a disputed claim. All testimony at any hearing upon a disputed claim shall be recorded but need not be transcribed unless the disputed claim is further appealed.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3321;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5F;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1; 

(a) Any decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall become final 15 days after the date of mailing or other delivery thereof, and judicial review thereof as provided in this subchapter shall be permitted only after any party claiming to be aggrieved thereby has exhausted all administrative remedies as provided by this chapter.

(b) The Department shall be deemed to be a party to any judicial action involving any such decision, and may be represented in any such judicial action by any qualified attorney employed by the Department and designated by it for that purpose or at the Department’s request by the Attorney General.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3322;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §§  5B, 5F;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 5; 

(a) Within 10 days after the decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board has become final, any party aggrieved thereby may secure judicial review thereof by commencing an action in the Superior Court in the county in which the claimant resides or the employer’s place of business is located against the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board for the review of such decision, in which action any other party to the proceeding before the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall be made a defendant. In such action, a petition, which need not be verified, but which shall state the grounds upon which a review is sought, shall be served upon the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board or upon such person as the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board may designate and such service shall be deemed completed service on all parties, but there shall be left with the party so served as many copies of the petition as there are defendants and the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall forthwith mail or otherwise deliver through a method authorized by the Department, 1 such copy to each defendant. With its answer the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall certify and file with the Court all documents and papers and a transcript of all testimony taken in the matter together with the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s findings of fact and decision therein. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board may also certify to the Court questions of law involved in any decision. In any judicial proceeding under this section, the findings of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board as to the facts, if supported by evidence and in the absence of fraud, shall be conclusive, and the jurisdiction of the Court shall be confined to questions of law. Such actions and the questions so certified shall be heard in a summary manner and shall be given precedence over all other civil cases except cases arising under this chapter.

(b) An appeal may be taken from the decision of the Superior Court to the Supreme Court of this State in the same manner, but not inconsistent with this chapter, as is provided in civil cases.

(c) It shall not be necessary in any judicial proceeding under this section to enter exceptions to the rulings of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board and no bond shall be required for entering such appeal. Upon the final determination of such judicial proceeding, the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall enter an order in accordance with such determination. A petition for judicial review shall not act as a supersedeas or stay, nor shall the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board or any court enter an order of supersedeas or stay which shall delay the payment of any benefits to which the claimant has been determined to be entitled or delay any determination of claimant’s rights to any benefits.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3323;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5F;  58 Del. Laws, c. 230, §  3;  58 Del. Laws, c. 522, §  19;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 81, § 2; 

Witnesses subpoenaed pursuant to this subchapter shall be allowed fees at a rate fixed by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. Such fees shall be a part of the expense of administering this chapter.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3324;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5F;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1; 

(a) If it is finally determined that an individual received benefits under this chapter for which the individual was not entitled, the individual shall repay, in cash, the amount of the overpayment to the Department for the Unemployment Compensation Fund. The individual is liable regardless of whether the overpayment was received through fraud or mistake, or whether the individual was legally awarded the payment of benefits at the time but on appeal was subsequently found not to be entitled thereto.

(b) Nonfraud overpayments are collected as follows:

(1) If the person becomes eligible for benefits before the amount of the overpayment is completely repaid, the Department shall deduct the remaining balance of the overpayment from the benefits.

a. The Department has the discretion to elect not to require repayment of the overpayment amount in cash, and elect to only deduct the overpayment amount from subsequently awarded benefits.

b. The deduction from subsequently awarded benefits can be only 50% of the payable weekly benefit amount until the overpayment is completely repaid.

(2) Discretionary decisions by the Department of how or by what means the Department elects to collect nonfraud overpayments, including by cash, deduction from subsequently awarded benefits, or by any other means, are administrative collections decisions made by the executive branch of government and are not subject to review by quasi-judicial or judicial tribunals of this State.

(3) The Department may not collect interest on a nonfraud overpayment.

(c) (1) When the Department determines that a claimant who is liable to repay any overpayment amount committed fraud in order to obtain benefits, the claimant shall be required to repay the overpayment amount due to the Department as well as interest thereon. Benefit overpayments paid to a claimant as the result of fraud shall be repaid with interest at the same rate as provided for past due assessments and reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments under § 3357 of this title and 19 DE Admin. Code §  1202-18. Interest collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the Special Administration Fund. In addition, a monetary penalty of 15.0% of the amount received by a claimant as the result of fraud shall be assessed. The monetary penalty collected under this section shall be paid into the Unemployment Compensation Fund under § 3161 of this title.

(2) When the Department determines that an individual obtained an overpayment by fraud, in addition to any disqualification under § 3314(6) of this title, the individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for any week of unemployment, including the week in which the determination of fraud is made, until the Department determines that all of the following have occurred:

a. The total amount of the fraud overpayment has been repaid in full.

b. The monetary penalty, including interest, under this subsection has been paid in full.

(3) For fraud overpayments established by final decision before August 29, 2019, paragraph (c)(2) of the section does not apply and the Department may choose to deduct the remaining balance of the fraud overpayment due to the Department from future benefits payable to the individual under this chapter, with 100% of the payable weekly benefit amount being deducted from the subsequent awarded benefits until the fraud overpayment established before August 29, 2019, is completely repaid.

(d) The Department shall issue a notice of overpayment that includes the grounds for the overpayment, and an order for recoupment, before initiating action to collect the overpayment. Unless an individual files an appeal to an Unemployment Insurance appeals referee within 15 days after the order for recoupment was mailed to the individual at the individual’s last known address or otherwise delivered to the individual by the Department, the order for recoupment is final and recoupment shall be made in accordance with the order. An appeal from an Unemployment Insurance appeals referee decision to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board must be filed within 15 days after such decision was mailed to the individual or otherwise delivered to the individual by the Department. An appeal from the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board decision to Superior Court may be made in the same fashion as an appeal of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s benefit decisions.

(e) Any employer who makes a deduction from a back wage award to a claimant because of the claimant’s receipt of unemployment benefits, for which the claimant has become ineligible by reason of the award, shall be liable to pay into the Unemployment Compensation Fund an amount equal to the amount of the deduction. When the employer has made the payment into the Unemployment Compensation Fund, the amount of the payments shall be considered when determining, if applicable, the employer’s entitlement to rehire credit.

(f) (1) The Department may do any of the following when an individual has an overpayment debt:

a. Write off, in whole or in part, an overpayment debt after a period of 3 years, when it has ascertained after investigation and after reasonable attempts at collection that the overpayment debt is wholly or partly uncollectible. The Department may prescribe the appropriate accounting methods by which the uncollected portion of the debt is written off its accounts instead of being carried indefinitely as an uncollected debt.

b. Collect an overpayment of benefits by bringing a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the claimant.

1. Nonfraud overpayments. —

No action shall be taken by the Department to collect a nonfraud overpayment of benefits from an individual after a period of 5 years from the end of the “benefit year,” as defined in § 3302 of this title, with respect to which such benefits were paid, unless during this 5-year period the Department has brought a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the individual.

2. Fraud overpayments. —

Notwithstanding § 8106 of Title 10, or any other law to the contrary, the Department may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against a person for purposes of collecting a fraud overpayment of benefits at any time.

3. All overpayments. —

Notwithstanding anything in this section, § 8106 of Title 10, or any other law to the contrary, the Department may collect at any time an overpayment of benefits through any of the following means:

A. An offset of future benefits under this section.

B. As provided in § 545 of Title 30.

C. As provided in § 6402 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 6402).

D. As provided in § 303(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 503(m)).

(2) The Department shall credit any payment on account by a claimant on an overpayment, by any means, except the offset of subsequently awarded benefits, against the outstanding indebtedness of the claimant in the following manner:

a. First, principal on fraud overpayments in oldest to newest outstanding indebtedness order.

b. Second, interest on fraud overpayments.

c. Third, monetary penalty on fraud overpayments.

d. Fourth, principal on nonfraud overpayments in oldest to newest outstanding indebtedness order.

e. Fifth, court costs.

(3) The Department shall credit any collection of an overpayment by the offset of subsequently awarded benefits by the Department only against the principal of the outstanding indebtedness of the claimant under § 303(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 503) and § 3304(a)(4) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C. § 3304). The Department shall credit an offset of subsequently awarded benefits in the following manner:

a. First, to fraud overpayment principal in oldest to newest outstanding indebtedness order.

b. Second, to nonfraud overpayment principal in oldest to newest outstanding indebtedness order.

(g) In addition to the methods of collection authorized under this chapter, the Department may collect overpayments, interest, penalties, and other liabilities due under this chapter as provided in § 545 of Title 30, § 6402 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 6402), § 303(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 503(m)), and any other means available under federal or state law.

(h) (1) Effective March 15, 2020, the Department may waive the recovery of any overpayment of benefits received under this chapter by any individual for which the individual was not entitled, in accordance with such regulations as the Department prescribes, if the Department finds any of the following:

a. In the judgment of the Department, recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

b. The overpayment was the result of Department error.

(2) Repayment of an overpayment may be found by the Department to be against equity and good conscience if the individual, at the time of submitting an application for overpayment waiver, is a current recipient of a low-income based public assistance program designated by the Department.

(3) Fraud overpayments are not eligible for waiver under this section.

(4) The Department shall notify the overpaid individual in writing of the opportunity to file an application to request waiver of an overpayment. The individual shall have 30 days from the date of the notice to submit a completed application for waiver of any overpayment set forth in the notice.

(5) Following the grant or denial of a request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment, the Department shall promptly deliver to the overpaid individual, by mail to the individual’s last known address or other delivery method, a written determination setting forth the basis for grant or denial of the request and explaining the overpaid individual’s appeal rights. The determination becomes final unless a written appeal is filed to the appeals tribunal within 15 days after the determination is mailed to the individual’s last known address or otherwise delivered to the individual, which appeal shall be handled in the same manner as appeals of benefit determinations pursuant to § 3318(c) of this title. The individual and the Department shall be notified of the appeals tribunal’s decision, together with the reasons therefor, which shall be final unless within 15 days from the date of mailing or other delivery method of the decision a further appeal is initiated to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, which appeal shall be handled in the same manner as appeals of benefit determinations pursuant to §§ 3320, 3321 and 3323 of this title. The decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board shall be final and not subject to further review.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  6;  43 Del. Laws, c. 280, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3325;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  5B;  65 Del. Laws, c. 179, §  2;  65 Del. Laws, c. 367, §  2;  67 Del. Laws, c. 3, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 117, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 379, §§  1, 2;  70 Del. Laws, c. 97, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 566, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 27, §  1;  72 Del. Laws, c. 100, §§  1, 2;  75 Del. Laws, c. 127, §  1;  79 Del. Laws, c. 117, §  1;  80 Del. Laws, c. 282, § 1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 78, § 7;  82 Del. Laws, c. 81, § 3;  82 Del. Laws, c. 82, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 6;  84 Del. Laws, c. 212, §§   1, 2; 

(a) As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) “Extended benefit period” means a period which:

a. Begins with the third week after the first week for which there is a state “on” indicator, and

b. Ends with either of the following weeks, whichever occurs later:

1. The third week after the first week for which there is a state “off” indicator, or

2. The thirteenth consecutive week of such period;

provided, that no extended benefit period may begin the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this State.

(2) a. There is a state “on” indicator for a week beginning prior to September 25, 1982, if the rate of insured unemployment under the state law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks:

1. Equaled or exceeded 120 percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding 13-week period ending in each of the preceding 2 calendar years, and

2. Equaled or exceeded 4 percent.

b. There is a state “on” indicator for a week beginning after September 25, 1982, if the rate of insured unemployment under the state law for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks:

1. Equaled or exceeded 120 percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding 13-week period ending in each of the preceding 2 calendar years, and

2. Equaled or exceeded 5 percent.

c. There is a state “on” indicator for a week beginning after June 6, 2009, if:

1. The rate of total unemployment (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the period consisting of the most recent 3 months for which data for all States are published before the close of such week equaled or exceeded 6.5 percent, and

2. The average rate of total unemployment in the State (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the 3-month period referred to in paragraph (a)(2)c.1. of this section, equals or exceeds 110 percent of such average for either or both of the corresponding 3-month periods ending in the 2 preceding calendar years; however, for weeks of compensation beginning after December 17, 2010, and ending December 31, 2011, or the expiration date set forth in Public Law 111-312 [Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010], whichever is later, the average rate of total unemployment in the State (seasonally adjusted), as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, for the 3-month period referred to in paragraph (a)(2)c.1. of this section, equals or exceeds 110 percent of such average for any or all of the corresponding 3-month periods ending in the 3 preceding calendar years.

(3) a. There is a state “off” indicator for a week beginning prior to September 25, 1982, if, for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks, either paragraph (a)(2)a.1. or paragraph (a)(2)a.2. of this section was not satisfied.

b. There is a state “off” indicator for a week beginning after September 25, 1982, if, for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks, either paragraph (a)(2)b.1. or paragraph (a)(2)b.2. of this section was not satisfied.

c. There is a state “off” indicator for a week beginning after June 6, 2009, if, for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding 12 weeks, either paragraph (a)(2)c.1. or paragraph (a)(2)c.2. of this section was not satisfied.

(4) “Rate of insured unemployment,” for purposes of paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, means the percentage derived by dividing:

a. The average weekly number of individuals filing claims for regular benefits in this State for weeks of unemployment with respect to the most recent 13-consecutive-week period, as determined by the Department on the basis of its reports to the United States Secretary of Labor, by

b. The average monthly employment covered under this chapter for the first 4 of the most recent 6 completed calendar quarters ending before the end of such 13-week period.

(5) “Regular benefits” means benefits payable to an individual under this chapter or under any other state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicepersons pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) other than extended benefits.

(6) “Extended benefits” means benefits (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicepersons pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) payable to an individual under this section for weeks of unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period.

(7) “Eligibility period” of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in the individual’s benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period and, if the individual’s benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period.

(8) “Exhaustee” means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period:

a. Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to the individual under this chapter or any other state law (including dependents’ allowances and benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicepersons under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) in the individual’s current benefit year that includes such week; provided, that, for the purposes of this paragraph, an individual shall be deemed to have received all of the regular benefits that were available to the individual although:

1. As a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages that were not considered in the original monetary determination in the individual’s benefit year, the individual may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular benefits; or

2. The individual’s benefit year, having expired prior to such week, the individual has no or insufficient wages on the basis of which the individual could establish a new benefit year that would include such week; and

b. Has no right to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. § 351 et seq.) and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the United States Secretary of Labor; and

c. Has not received and is not seeking unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada but, if the individual is seeking such benefits and the appropriate agency finally determines that the individual is not entitled to benefits under such law, the individual is considered an exhaustee.

d. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if the benefit year of any individual ends within an extended benefit period, the remaining balance of extended benefits that such individual would, but for this section, be entitled to receive in that extended benefit period, with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after the end of the benefit year, shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the product of the number of weeks for which the individual received any amounts as trade adjustment allowances within that benefit year, multiplied by the individual’s weekly benefit amount for extended benefits.

(9) “State law” means the unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the United States Secretary of Labor under § 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. § 3304).

(b) Except when the result would be inconsistent with the other provisions of this section, as provided in the regulations of the Department, the provisions of this part which apply to claims for or the payment of regular benefits shall apply to claims for and the payment of extended benefits.

(c) An individual shall be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period only if the Department finds that with respect to such week:

(1) The individual is an “exhaustee” as defined in paragraph (a)(8) of this section.

(2) The individual has satisfied the requirements of this chapter for the receipt of regular benefits that are applicable to individuals claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to a disqualification for the receipt of benefits.

(3) The individual has, during the individual’s base period, been paid wages for employment equal to not less than 40 times the individual’s weekly benefit amount and, as used in this paragraph, “wages” means wages for employment by employers for benefit purposes with respect to any benefit year only if such benefit year begins subsequent to the date on which the employment unit by which such wages were paid has satisfied the conditions of § 3302(12) of this title or § 3343 of this title with respect to becoming an employer.

(d) The weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly benefit amount payable to the individual during the individual’s applicable benefit year. Provided, that for any week during a period in which federal payments to States under § 204 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (August 10, 1970, Public Law 91-373) are reduced under an order issued under § 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. § 902), the weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period shall be reduced by a percentage equivalent to the percentage of the reduction in the federal payment. Such reduced weekly extended benefit amount, if not a full dollar amount, shall be rounded to the nearest lower dollar amount.

(e) The total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to the individual’s applicable benefit year shall be the lesser of the following amounts; provided, however, that during any fiscal year in which federal payments to States under § 204 of the Federal State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (August 10, 1970, Public Law 91-373) are reduced under an order issued under § 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. § 902), the total extended benefit amount payable to an individual with respect to the individual’s applicable benefit year shall be reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate of the reductions under subsection (d) of this section in the weekly amount paid to the individual:

(1) Fifty percent of the total amount of regular benefits which were payable to the individual under this chapter in the individual’s applicable benefit year;

(2) Thirteen times the individual’s weekly benefit amount which was payable to the individual under this chapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year.

(f) (1) Effective with respect to weeks beginning in a high unemployment period, subsection (e) of this section shall be applied by substituting:

a. “Eighty percent” for “fifty percent” in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, and

b. “Twenty” for “thirteen” in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the term “high unemployment period” means any period during which an extended benefit period would be in effect if paragraph (a)(2)c.1. of this section were applied by substituting “8 percent” for “6.5 percent.”

(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, an individual shall not be eligible for extended benefits for any week if:

a. Extended benefits are payable for such week pursuant to an interstate claim filed in any state under the interstate benefit payment plan; and

b. No extended benefit period is in effect for such week in such state.

(2) Paragraph (g)(1) of this section shall not apply with respect to the first 2 weeks for which extended benefits are payable, (determined without regard to this subsection), pursuant to an interstate claim filed under the interstate benefit payment plan, to the individual from the extended benefit account established for the individual with respect to the benefit year.

(h) (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, payment of extended benefits shall not be made to any individual for any week of unemployment in the individual’s eligibility period if the Department finds that during such period:

a. The individual failed to accept any offer of suitable work (as defined in paragraph (h)(3) of this section) or failed to apply for any suitable work to which the individual was referred by the Department; or

b. The individual failed to actively engage in a systematic and sustained effort to obtain work during such week, and/or failed to furnish tangible evidence that the individual did engage in such effort during such week.

(2) Any individual who has been found ineligible for extended benefits for any week by reason of a failure described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section shall also be denied benefits beginning with the first day of the week following the week in which such failure occurred until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned remuneration in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the extended weekly benefit amount.

(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “suitable work” means, with respect to any individual, any work which is within such individual’s capabilities; provided, however, that the gross average weekly remuneration payable for the work must exceed the sum of:

a. The individual’s extended weekly benefit amount as determined under subsection (d) of this section, plus the amount, if any, of supplemental unemployment benefits (as defined in § 501(c)(17)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(17)(D)]) payable to such individual for such week; and further,

b. Pays wages not less than the higher of:

1. The minimum wage provided by § 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [29 U.S.C. § 206(a)(1)], without regard to any exemptions; or

2. The applicable state or local minimum wage;

c. Provided, however, that no individual shall be denied extended benefits for failure to accept an offer or to apply for any job which meets the definition of suitability as described in this subsection if:

1. The position was not offered to such individual in writing or was not listed with the employment service.

2. Such failure would not result in a denial of benefits under the definition of suitable work for regular benefit claimants in § 3314 of this title to the extent that the criteria of suitability in that section are not inconsistent with this paragraph.

3. The individual furnishes satisfactory evidence to the Department that the individual’s prospects for obtaining work in the individual’s customary occupation within a reasonably short period are good. If such evidence is deemed satisfactory for this purpose, the determination of whether any work is suitable with respect to such individual shall be made in accordance with the definition of suitable work for regular benefit claimants in § 3314 of this title without regard to the definition specified by this paragraph.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section to the contrary, no work shall be deemed to be suitable work for an individual which does not accord with the labor standard provisions required by § 3304(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(5)] and set forth herein under § 3314(3)a., b., c. and d. of this title.

(5) The employment service shall refer any claimant entitled to extended benefits under this title to any suitable work which meets the criteria prescribed in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.

(6) The provisions of paragraphs (h)(1), (2), (3) and (5) of this section shall not apply should at any time these provisions be temporarily or permanently suspended by federal law. If these provisions are suspended by federal law, the provisions of state law which apply to claims for or the payment of regular benefits shall apply to claims for and the payment of extended benefits.

(i) (1) Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in this State or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in this State, the Department shall make an appropriate public announcement.

(2) Computations required by paragraph (a)(4) of this section shall be made by the Department, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the United States Secretary of Labor.

(j) The provisions of paragraph (a)(2)c. of this section shall be in effect until the week ending December 5, 2009, or until the week ending 4 weeks prior to the last week for which 100 percent federal sharing is authorized by § 2005(a) of Public Law 111-5, whichever is later.

(k) To the extent that the provisions and definitions of terms in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) are in conflict with, or supplement the provisions and definitions applicable pursuant to this section, the provisions and definitions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 shall apply to this section.

(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Governor may, if permitted by federal law, suspend the payment of extended duration benefits under this section, to the extent necessary to ensure that otherwise eligible individuals are not denied, in whole or in part, the receipt of emergency unemployment compensation benefits authorized by the federal Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-252), the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-449), and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), and that the state receives maximum reimbursement from the federal government for the payment of those emergency benefits.

(m) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the payment of extended duration benefits under this section is hereby suspended and deferred to the extent necessary to ensure that:

(1) Otherwise eligible individuals are not denied, in whole or in part, the receipt of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation benefits authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-136) and any extension of those emergency benefits.

(2) The State receives maximum reimbursement from the federal government for the payment of those emergency benefits.

(n) With respect to determining whether the State is in an extended benefit period beginning on November 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021, the State shall disregard the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section that no extended benefit period may begin before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this State.

19 Del. C. 1953, §  3326;  58 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  7;  58 Del. Laws, c. 522, §§  20, 21;  60 Del. Laws, c. 2, §§  1-4;  61 Del. Laws, c. 186, §§  21-24;  63 Del. Laws, c. 192, §  3;  63 Del. Laws, c. 427, §§  10-14, 20;  65 Del. Laws, c. 414, §§  1, 2;  65 Del. Laws, c. 514, §§  6-11;  69 Del. Laws, c. 1, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 52, §  1;  78 Del. Laws, c. 4, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 284, § 2;  83 Del. Laws, c. 2, § 1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 9; 

(a) For the purposes of this section, “temporary help firm” means a firm that hires its own employees and assigns them to clients to support or supplement the client’s work force in work situations such as employee absences, temporary skill shortages, seasonal workloads and special assignments and projects. “Temporary employee” means an employee assigned to work for the clients of a temporary help firm.

(b) A temporary employee of a temporary help firm will be deemed to have voluntarily quit employment if the employee does not contact the temporary help firm for reassignment upon completion of an assignment. Failure to contact the temporary help firm will not be deemed a voluntary quit unless the claimant has been advised of the obligation to contact the firm upon completion of assignments and that unemployment benefits may be denied for failure to do so.

69 Del. Laws, c. 357, §  1; 

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Self-employment assistance activities” means activities (including entrepreneurial training, business counseling and technical assistance) approved by the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary’s designee in which an individual identified through a worker profiling system as likely to exhaust regular benefits participates for the purpose of establishing a business and becoming self-employed.

(2) “Self-employment assistance allowance” means an allowance, payable in lieu of regular benefits and from the Unemployment Compensation Fund established under § 3161 of this title, to an individual participating in self-employment assistance activities who meets the requirements of this section.

(3) “Full-time basis” means that the individual is devoting such amount of time as is determined by the Department to be necessary to establish a business which will serve as a full-time occupation for that individual.

(b) The weekly allowance payable under this section to an individual will be equal to the weekly benefit amount for regular benefits payable under § 3313 of this title. The sum of (1) the allowance paid under this section and (2) regular benefits paid under this chapter with respect to any benefit year shall not exceed the maximum benefit amount as established by § 3313(k) of this title with respect to such benefit year.

(c) The allowance described in subsection (a) of this section shall be payable to an individual at the same interval, on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions as regular benefits under this chapter, except that:

(1) The requirements of §§ 3315(1), (3), and 3314(3) of this title relating to availability for work active search for work and refusal to accept work are not applicable to such individual;

(2) The reduction provided in § 3313(i) of this title relating to wages paid is not applicable to income earned from self-employment by such individual;

(3) An individual who meets the requirements of this section shall be considered to be unemployed under § 3302 of this title; and

(4) An individual who fails to participate in self-employment assistance activities or who fails to actively engage on a full-time basis in activities (which may include training) relating to the establishment of a business and becoming self-employed shall be disqualified for the week such failure occurs.

(d) The aggregate number of individuals receiving the self-employment assistance allowance under this section at any time shall not exceed 5 percent of the number of individuals receiving regular benefits for such week. The Secretary of Labor shall prescribe such actions as are necessary to assure the requirements of this subsection are met.

(e) Self-employment assistance allowances paid under this section shall be charged to employers as provided under the provisions of this chapter relating to the charging of regular benefits. Benefits shall be noncharged as provided under § 3314 of this title.

(f) The provisions of this section will apply to weeks beginning after the date of enactment or weeks beginning after any plan required by the United States. Department of Labor is approved by said Department, whichever date is later. The authority provided by this section shall terminate as of the end of the week preceding the date when federal law no longer authorizes the provisions of this section, unless such date is a Saturday in which case the authority shall terminate as of such date.

70 Del. Laws, c. 43, §  4;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  84 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 10; 

(a) An individual filing a new claim for unemployment insurance benefits shall, at the time of filing such claim, be advised that:

(1) Unemployment insurance benefits are subject to federal, state and local income tax;

(2) Requirements exist pertaining to estimated tax payments;

(3) The individual may elect to have federal income tax deducted and withheld from the individual’s payment of unemployment insurance benefits at the amount specified in the federal Internal Revenue Service Code; and

(4) The individual shall be permitted to change a previously elected withholding status no more than once during a claim benefit year.

(b) Amounts deducted and withheld from unemployment insurance benefits shall remain in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund until transferred to the federal taxing authority as a payment of income tax.

(c) The Director of Unemployment Insurance shall follow all procedures specified by the United States Department of Labor and the federal Internal Revenue Service pertaining to the deducting and withholding of income tax.

(d) Amounts deducted and withheld from unemployment insurance benefits for federal income tax shall be deducted and withheld only after amounts are deducted and withheld in the deduction priority established by the Director of Unemployment Insurance for any overpayments, child support obligations, food stamp over-issuances or any other amounts required to be deducted and withheld under this title.

(e) The provisions of this section relating to the voluntary deduction and withholding of federal income tax from unemployment insurance benefits shall apply to benefit payments made on or after January 1, 1997.

70 Del. Laws, c. 574, §  1;