Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Delaware

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit without good cause attributable to your work, you are disqualified. The law lists some reasons that are not treated as quitting without good cause.

Examples the state names:

• Leaving because of domestic violence, with documentation such as a police or court record or a letter from a shelter worker, attorney, clergy member or medical professional
• Leaving to go with your spouse whose job moved to a place too far to commute from
• Leaving to care for your spouse, child under 18 or parent with a verified illness or disability, when the care lasts longer than your employer will give leave
• Choosing a temporary layoff of up to 30 days under a union contract or written employer plan, with the employer's consent
• Leaving because of illness; the disqualification ends when you are able and available for work, shown by a doctor's certificate

If you were fired

You are disqualified if you were fired for just cause in connection with your work. Being fired for giving notice that you will follow a relocating spouse, for caring for an ill family member as described in the law, or because of domestic violence is not treated as just cause. In an appeal about a firing, the employer has the burden of proof.

If benefits are denied for the separation

For quitting without good cause or being fired for just cause, you are disqualified until you have worked in each of 4 later weeks and earned at least 4 times your weekly benefit amount.

Refusing work

Refusing suitable work or a job referral without good cause disqualifies you until you have worked in each of 4 later weeks and earned at least 4 times your weekly benefit amount.

Law: 19 Del. C. sec. 3314(1)-(3)

Official source: Source page

You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.

Able, available and looking for work

Job contacts per week: 1

You must actively look for work each week. Make at least one new work search contact each week and record the employer's name and address, the type of work, the result and the date. Registering with the employment office is not enough by itself.

Records to keep

Keep the Work Search Log every week. The Division may review or audit it at any time.

Source: in the claimant handbook

Law: 19 Del. C. sec. 3315(3)

Official source: Source page

To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.

Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)

Noncitizens

What the state says

If you are a naturalized or authorized worker, you must email (UIClaims@Delaware.gov) or mail legible front-and-back images of your Social Security card and your employment authorization within 14 calendar days to be eligible.

Free help

Call 302-761-8446. Legal aid and other free help in Delaware → Official sources →