Military Community, Spouse and Family Resources - Military Times

Know your state’s unemployment laws

Air Force wife Krissy Stratton wondered why she was denied unemployment compensation by Wyoming officials after state legislators had passed a law making military spouses eligible when they must quit their jobs because their service members received permanent change-of-station orders.

Stratton is one of many spouses I’ve heard from who are in a financial bind after having to give up their jobs because of a PCS move. Defense officials have been working to educate state policymakers, nonprofit organizations, business leaders and others about unemployment and other issues affecting military families.

Twenty-seven states now make trailing military spouses eligible for unemployment compensation, more than double the number in 2004.

It’s important to know the laws in your state. For spouses like Stratton who have left or are leaving Wyoming this year: Don’t apply for unemployment before July 1, because that’s when the law takes effect. If you apply before then, you’ll be denied.

A claim must be considered based on current law — and under current law, a military spouse would be disqualified, said Randy Hopper, unemployment insurance administrator for Wyoming.

Once a denial becomes final, “it cannot be overturned,” he said.

Stratton and her husband, an Air Force technical sergeant, moved from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. She didn’t leave her teaching job in Wyoming until Dec. 19, the day they left F.E. Warren. Since arriving at Eglin on Jan. 5, she’s been seeking a teaching job, without success — not even substitute gigs.

“It’s frustrating,” said Stratton, who has three children, ages 13, 10 and 2. “You plan and you save, not thinking you would still be out of a job five months later.”

Military Family of the Year

The National Military Family Association is taking nominations for its Military Family of the Year award.

Active-duty, reserve-component and retiree families in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Service, as well as families of fallen service members, are eligible.

Nominations are being accepted for at least the next couple of months at http://www.nmfa.org. The winner will receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.

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Staff writer Karen Jowers is the wife of a retired service member. Contact her with questions or comments at kjowers@militarytimes.com.