Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Georgia

Quit, fired or refused work

If you quit

If you quit, you may get benefits only if you show a good work-connected reason. A personal reason does not count, even a good or compelling one. GDOL decides after you file.

Examples the state names:

• A material change in your working conditions or working agreement
• Not being paid for your work
• Being downgraded for reasons that were not your fault
• Substantial harassment on the job
• Your health put in danger by conditions on the job (you must first talk with your employer about a solution, and medical advice is usually required)
• Unsafe working conditions
• Family violence that directly affected your job, with reasonable documentation

If you were fired

If you were fired, you cannot get benefits if your employer shows you were fired for failing to follow rules, orders or instructions, or for misconduct on the job.

If benefits are denied for the separation

If you are disqualified for quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct, you cannot get benefits until you go back to work and earn enough insured wages to requalify. Your determination letter explains what you must earn.

Refusing work

If you refuse an offer of suitable work, or a job referral, without good cause, or do not report to a job you accepted, you can be disqualified. Good reasons include a job open because of a strike, pay below minimum wage, pay much lower than similar local jobs, or a job that requires union membership. After 10 weeks of unemployment, you must accept work paying at least 66% of your highest past wage.

Law: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 300-2-9-.01, -.02, -.05, -.10

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: 3

You must complete at least 3 new, verifiable work search activities on 3 or more different days each week, with employers you have not contacted before, and submit a Weekly Work Search Record each week (online in MyUI after you request payment, or by fax). Qualifying activities include applying for a job that fits your skills, interviewing, and taking part in reemployment services. GDOL may audit your records at any time.

Records to keep

For each contact, keep the date, company name or job reference number, person contacted, address, phone, email or web link, position title, how you contacted them, and the result. Fax paper records to 404-525-3605, 404-525-3606 or 1-877-302-1573.

Source: form DOL-2798 only

Law: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 300-2-4-.02, 300-2-4-.03

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

Georgia law requires everyone 18 or older who applies to attest that they are a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident, or a non-citizen legally present in the U.S. GDOL checks this electronically. If an affidavit is required, you must show a valid photo ID to GDOL and have it notarized; non-citizens must also show unexpired employment authorization documents, which GDOL verifies with the Department of Homeland Security. You cannot be paid until your lawful presence is verified.

Free help

Call 1-877-709-8185. Legal aid and other free help in Georgia → Official sources →