Brothers and Sisters,

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) just launched a new online system for filing claims. Click here to access the form and instructions.

If you open a new unemployment claim on or after Friday, May 9, you must answer a few union-specific questions once during your benefit year to remain exempt from the weekly work-search requirement.

What to enter on the claim form:

• *Does your union have a hiring hall? Yes
• *Does your union restrict you from seeking work outside the hiring hall? Yes
• Union name: NERC SMART Local 17
• Union contact: Robert Maloney
• Phone: 857-267-2326
• Email: dholmes@smart-nerc.org

*Must be answered, or unemployment will be delayed or denied.

Why is this important? Correctly complete these fields, and you will remain exempt from job-search reporting for the rest of your benefit year. If you do not file this form, you will have to comply with the work search to keep your benefits.

Questions? Contact Local 17 Administrator, Debbie Holmes, directly at 857-267-2326 or email dholmes@smart-nerc.org.