1. Workforce Development
Tennessee
Department of Labor
And
Workforce Development
Rapid Response

2. Local Area Rapid Response AFL / CIO (when appropriate)
Coordinator
Career Center
Human Services
Adult Education
AFL / CIO (when appropriate)
Team Partners

3. TOOLKIT EMPLOYMENT Your Guide To Getting Back In The Workforce
Publication of the Tennessee
Department of Labor and
Workforce Development

4. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Toolkit aims to provide assistance and guidance on the employment process to Tennesseans.
Unemployment
Supportive Service
Jobs4TN
Career Centers
Hot Jobs
Education Pays
Cover Letter
Preparing a Resume
Making the Most of a Job Fair
The Interview
Starting Your Own Business
CONTENTS

5. All 95 counties in Tennessee are served by Department of Labor & Workforce Development Career Centers. Go to to find a Career Center near you
Computer Workstations All Tennessee Career Centers offer computers with Internet access
Access to Employers Career Center staff can refer you to employers who have open positions for which you qualify
Skills Training
Several types of training are available through the Career Center
Veterans’ Programs
Career Centers have veterans’ representatives who team with branches of the military

6. SUPPORTIVE

7. SERVICES SUPPORTIVE Healthcare TennCare
Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan
County Health Departments
Health Assist Tennessee
Tennessee Primary Care Association
Department of Human Services
Families First
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act allows dislocated workers that are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when leaving a job, may choose to instead purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
SUPPORTIVE

8. SERVICES SUPPORTIVE Health Insurance Marketplace
You may be eligible to apply for insurance after open
enrollment if you experience a qualifying life event:
Not being able to enroll due to complex situation
Change in marital status
Change in the number of dependents
Change in employment status or income
Release from incarceration
Apply online at
Or by phone –
SUPPORTIVE

9. SERVICES SUPPORTIVE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Through MHA’s Home Affordable Unemployment Program (UP), payments are reduced to 31% of income or suspended altogether for up to 12 months (forbearance).
Designed to give additional time to find work.
Even if you’ve already missed a few payments, you can be considered.
When you land your next job, or your forbearance ends, your mortgage company may evaluate you for other assistance programs depending upon eligibility criteria.
Call (888) 995 – HOPE (4673) or visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov
SUPPORTIVE

10. SERVICES SUPPORTIVE Paying for College & Education Assistance
Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
TN Stars
Save Today for Tomorrow’s College Cost
Other Resources
Refugee Services
Assistance for Homelessness
Veterans Assistance
Tennessee Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Agencies
Public Transportation
SUPPORTIVE
Food and Nutrition
WIC Program
Food Stamp program
Tennessee's School Nutrition program

11. Apply for Benefits File online or by telephone Eligibility
To file online go to Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central Time and Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time. To file a claim by phone call (615) (Nashville area) or (877) (toll free). We recommend that you file on line as that is the fastest method.
Eligibility
To be eligible for unemployment you must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own and be approved for benefits; have earned sufficient wages during the last 18 months prior to filling a claim; and be physically able and available to work.
Have the following information ready when you file:
 Your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, address, and telephone number, separating employer’s name, address, telephone number, account and fax number; last day worked, reason for separation, and dates for last 18 months of employment.
Apply for Benefits

12. Unemployment Insurance
Vacation pay or holiday pay is not reportable if you are permanently separated.
Severance benefits or wages–in-lieu of notice are considered reportable if equivalent to regular wages and assigned to weeks beyond the date of separation.
Drawing from a pension or 401K, to which you contribute is not reportable. A pension which was fully funded by the company is considered reportable.
You cannot remove yourself from the job market unless enrolled in an approved training program.
Unemployment Insurance is taxable income. You can have 10% deducted from your weekly benefit or wait until you file your yearly taxes.
You can receive Social Security retirement and Unemployment Insurance benefits at the same time.
Unemployment Insurance

13. Tennessee Automated Payment (TAP) Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance benefits can now be received by a choice of either a debit card (TAP) or direct deposit. Payment will default to the debit card if direct deposit is not chosen.
A TAP card, which is a VISA debit card , will be issued within 7-10 business days from the day your claim is filed. There are some fees that can be incurred with this card. Any information regarding fees will be included in your fulfillment packet which will be mailed to you.
Those choosing direct deposit and filing by phone need to immediately go online at click on View/Update Payment type and follow the step by step directions
No charges are incurred with direct deposit
Benefits will be deposited within 48 hours of the first payable week
Unemployment Insurance

14. Unemployment Insurance
What should I expect after I complete my application?
A letter in the mail stating the amount of your benefits.
This is not an approval letter; it only states the amount of benefits you could be eligible for if your claim is approved.
Should your claim be approved a decision letter will follow.
Unemployment Insurance

15. Certify Every Week What do you mean by weekly certification?
Answer a series of questions each week regarding eligibility for unemployment
To certify either online or by phone, the PIN you created will be needed
Certify online at Click on “Weekly Certifications” or by calling the (800) , (615) or (800)
Remember: Wait until the week after you have filed your claim to make your first weekly certification. Upon claim approval, past weekly certifications will be paid. Once your claim has been approved, your weekly certification generates payment.
NO certification = NO payment of benefits

16. Look For Work
What else am I required to do to continue to be eligible for benefits?
You must complete three work searches each week as a condition for receiving unemployment.
Document them on a work search log available at
Remember: Do not mail work search logs to the department unless requested. Retain copies for your records for three years after your benefit year ends.

17. What if there are problems filing my claim or doing my weekly certifications?
You can leave a message with a UI representative by going to
Then click “Find answers/ask an expert”
You can check the status of your claim by going to
You can contact the Employment Security Division at

18. Stop Your Benefits Restart Your Benefits
When do I stop my benefits?
As soon as you begin earning wages
Can I earn any money while on unemployment?
You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit without it affecting your claim. After you earn more that 25% it starts to subtract from your weekly amount and if you start earning more than your weekly amount your claim will end.
Restart Your Benefits
Repeat enrollment process

19. AFL-CIO Technical Assistance