Can you collect unemployment in Tennessee for maternity leave?

Yes, you may be eligible to collect unemployment benefits in Tennessee for maternity leave.

To be eligible, you must:

Have worked in Tennessee for at least 6 months in the last year

Have earned at least $2,500 in wages during the base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters)

Be unemployed through no fault of your own

Be physically and mentally able to work, and available for work

Not be receiving disability benefits

Not be working full time

Not be enrolled in a full-time educational or training program

If you meet these requirements, you can file a claim for unemployment benefits online or by calling the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. You will need to provide:

Your Social Security number

Your driver's license or state ID number

Your birth date

Your contact information (address, phone number, email address)

Your employment history for the last 18 months

Your reason for leaving your job

Your doctor's certification that you are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth

Your weekly benefit amount will be based on your wages during the base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $275.

You can receive unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks, but the maximum amount of time you can receive benefits for is 50 weeks.

If you are approved for unemployment benefits, you will be required to report your job search activity each week. You will also be required to attend a job search workshop if you are receiving benefits for more than 10 weeks.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision.