<p>D’s friend works in a factory that has closed for 2 weeks. He will be paid for the 2 holidays Xmas and New Year but no other time. He is to report back to work on 1/5/2009. Does he qualify for unemployment for the 2 weeks the business is closed? He has worked there 3 years- this is the first time they closed during the holiday.</p>
<p>I am guessing that this depends on the state he lives in and what their requirements are for unemployment benefits are.</p>
<p>He should call the local unemployment office on Monday and ask them. Trust me, he won’t be the only one asking.</p>
<p>He may be. My sibling works for a business which shut down for two weeks over the holidays. She was able to collect.</p>
<p>" Trust me, he won’t be the only one asking." </p>
<p>That is true, but unemployment offices are absolutely flooded with calls right now and the likelihood of getting your call thru may prove to be a frustrating experience.</p>
<p>Maybe you an check on line and get your answer ?</p>
<p>He applied on line- we will see what happens</p>
<p>I was just laid off (Dec 1), he will qualify for UEI, however there is a mandatory 1 week wait, so he’ll only receive one week of benefits. In addition, the benefits are “only” somewhere between 50-75% of earnings. Still better than a stick in the eye. I say he should apply. It can be done online these days.</p>
<p>Oops, I see he already applied online…</p>