§1611. Definitions

As used in R.S. 23:1611 through R.S. 23:1619, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Extended benefit period" means a period which,

(a) begins with the third week after a week for which there is a state "on" indicator; and

(b) ends with either of the following weeks, whichever occurs later: (i) the third week after the first week for which there is a state "off" indicator; or (ii) the thirteenth consecutive week of such period, provided that no extended benefit period may begin by reason of a state "on" indicator before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this state.

(2) There is a state "on" indicator for this state for a week if the administrator determines, in accordance with the regulations of the United States Secretary of Labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve weeks, the rate of insured unemployment as determined under Paragraph (4) of this Section:

(a) equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in each of the preceding two calendar years, provided that the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be deemed to be waived for any week with respect to which the United States Congress shall permit such waiver, and

(b) equaled or exceeded five percent of such other rate as the United States Congress may authorize, or

(c) equaled or exceeded six percent in which event the one hundred twenty percent average provided for in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not apply.

(3) There is a state "off" indicator for this state for the week if the administrator determines, in accordance with the regulations of the United States Secretary of Labor, that for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve weeks, the rate of insured unemployment (not seasonally adjusted) as determined under Paragraph (4) of this Section:

(a) was less than one hundred twenty percent of the average of such rates for the corresponding thirteen-week period ending in each of the two preceding calendar years, or

(b) was less than five percent.

(4) "Rate of insured unemployment", for the purposes of Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Section, means the percentage derived by dividing:

(a) the average weekly number of individuals filing claims for regular compensation in this state for weeks of unemployment with respect to the most recent thirteen consecutive week period, as determined by the administrator on the basis of his reports to the United States Secretary of Labor, by

(b) the average monthly employment covered under this Chapter for the first four of the most recent six completed calendar quarters ending before the end of such thirteen week period.

The computation required by the provisions of this Paragraph shall be made by the administrator in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the United States Secretary of Labor.

(5) "Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under this Chapter or under the Unemployment Insurance Law of any state, approved by the U.S. Secretary of Labor under Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, (26 U.S.C. §3304) (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) other than extended benefits.

(6) "Extended benefits" means benefits (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) payable to an individual under the provisions of R.S. 23:1611 through R.S. 23:1619 of this Chapter for weeks of unemployment in his eligibility period.

(7) "Eligibility period" of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in his benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period and, if his benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period.

(8) "Exhaustee" means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period:

(a) has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him under this Chapter or any other unemployment insurance law of any state approved by the United States Secretary of Labor under Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, (26 U.S.C. §3304) (including dependent's allowances, benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 85) in his current benefit year that includes such week; for the purposes of this Paragraph, an individual shall be deemed to have received all of the regular benefits that were available to him although as a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages or employment, or both, that were not considered in the original monetary determination in his benefit year, he may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular benefits or;

(b) his benefit year having expired prior to such week, has no wages, or has insufficient wages or employment, or both, on the basis of which he could establish a new benefit year that would include such week; and

(c)(i) has no right to unemployment insurance benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, (45 U.S.C. §351 et seq.) or under such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the United States Secretary of Labor; and

(ii) has not received and is not seeking unemployment insurance benefits under the unemployment insurance law of Canada or the Virgin Islands; but if the individual is seeking such benefits and the appropriate agency finally determines that the individual is not entitled to benefits under such law, the individual shall be considered an exhaustee if the other provisions of this definition are met. Provided, that the reference in this Subparagraph to the Virgin Islands shall be inapplicable effective on the day after the day on which the United States Secretary of Labor approves under Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, (26 U.S.C. §3304 (a)) an unemployment compensation law submitted to the secretary by the Virgin Islands for approval.

Added by Acts 1971, No. 136, §15, eff. Jan. 1, 1972. Amended by Acts 1975, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 6, §2, eff. Jan. 24, 1975; Acts 1977, No. 745, §§18, 19; Acts 1982, No. 309, §1, eff. Sept. 26, 1982, except as to paragraph (4), eff. July 18, 1982.