Did you recently lose your job in Wyoming? If so, you might be eligible for unemployment benefits: payments intended to partially replace the wages of employees who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own. Although the basic rules for unemployment are similar across the board, the eligibility rules, prior earnings requirements, benefit amounts, and other details vary from state to state. Below you’ll find information on collecting unemployment in Wyoming. In Wyoming, the Department of Workforce Services handles unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in Wyoming: Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year "base period" to determine your eligibility for unemployment. (For more information, see Nolo's article, Unemployment Compensation: Understanding the Base Period.) In Wyoming, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your benefits claim.

For example, if you file your claim in July of 2015, the base period would be from April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015. To qualify for benefits in Wyoming, you must meet both of the following requirements: In Wyoming, as in other states, you must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits.Cheap Curtain WandsIf you were laid off, lost your job in a reduction-in-force (RIF), or got "downsized" for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.Best Digital Camera For Private InvestigatorsIf you were fired because you lacked the skills to perform the job or simply weren't a good fit, you won’t necessarily be barred from receiving benefits. Best Knot For Hanging Heavy Mirror

However, if you were fired for misconduct relating to your job, you will be ineligible for benefits. Misconduct means intentionally disregarding your employer’s interests or the commonly accepted duties, responsibilities, and obligations of an employee. You have not committed misconduct in Wyoming if you were fired for isolated instances of ordinary carelessness, errors in judgment that you made in good faith, or poor performance due to a lack of ability or capacity.If you quit your job, you will be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits unless you had good cause. In general, good cause means that your reason for leaving the position was job-related and was so compelling that you had no other choice than to leave. For example, if you left your job because of dangerous working conditions or sexual harassment that your employer refused to stop, you may be able to collect benefits. You may also be eligible for benefits if you quit for certain compelling personal reasons, including to relocate with a spouse who serves in the military (depending on the circumstances), to escape domestic violence, for certain medical reasons, or to enter certain training programs.

To keep collecting unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to work, and looking for employment. (For more information, see Nolo's article, Collecting Unemployment: Are You Able, Available, and Actively Seeking Work?) If you’re incarcerated, on vacation, or in school, or you don’t have adequate transportation to get to work, you likely won’t be considered able and available to work. In Wyoming, you must actively search for work each week, keeping a log of your job contacts and other job search activities. You must contact at least two different employers per week. Your log may be audited at any time. If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it. Whether a job is suitable depends on a variety of factors, including your physical fitness, how long you’ve been unemployed, what the local job market looks like in your usual occupation, the length of the commute, whether you're capable of performing the position, and whether the job poses any safety or health risks.

After four weeks of receiving benefits, you will be expected to accept a position outside of your customary occupation, as long as it pays at least 50% of what you used to earn. After 12 weeks, union members will be expected to take nonunion positions in their customary occupations. If you are eligible to receive unemployment, your weekly benefit rate is 4% of your earnings in the highest paid quarter of the base period. The current maximum is $475 per week; the minimum weekly benefit amount is currently $34. You may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. (In times of very high unemployment, additional weeks of benefits may be available.) You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online or by phone. You can find online filing information, telephone contact information, forms, and addresses of local offices at the website of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. After you file, you will receive a monetary determination from the Department, stating the wages reported by all of your employers during your base period and how much you can expect to receive in benefits.

If your unemployment claim is denied, you have 28 days from the mailing date on the denial to file an appeal. You can mail or fax your appeal to the address listed in the denial letter, or you can file your appeal in person at any Workforce Center in Wyoming. An unemployment hearing will be conducted, by phone or in person, before a Hearing Officer. You will be able to present evidence and witness testimony at the hearing. The Hearing Officer will then issue a written decision on your appeal. If you disagree with the Hearing Officer's decision, you may appeal to the Unemployment Insurance Commission (UIC) within 28 days. For more information on the unemployment process, including current eligibility requirements and benefits amounts, visit the Department of Workforce Services website.Wyoming Cowboys Clothing and Gear for Fans and AlumniMicrobreweries from around Wyoming will belly up to the bar to see who takes home the coveted Steinley Cup at the official State of Wyoming Microbrew Competition in Saratoga later this month.

The 21st annual edition of the event is scheduled for Aug. 20 at Saratoga’s Veterans Island Park. The theme of this year’s brew is ‘American Wheat’ beer and the competition will be judged by a panel of brewing professionals from Colorado. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and will run until 5 p.m. “This microbrew festival is unique in that only microbreweries based in Wyoming are invited,” said Stacy Crimmins, CEO of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It was one of the first, original competitions and brew festivals in the state and is known by the brewers as the official competition. No one can claim they’re the best in the state unless they have carried the Steinley Cup trophy home.” Among the 28 breweries invited to this year’s event is the defending Steinley Cup champion —Laramie’s Altitude Chop House and Brewery — and the defending People’s Choice champion, The Library Sports Grille and Brewery, also from Laramie. Wyoming-based microbrewers were invited to compete, including Saratoga’s own Snowy Mountain Brewery, Wyoming State Brewing Company (Casper), Snake River Brewing Company (Jackson), Lander Brewing Company, Coal Creek TAP (Laramie), Black Tooth Brewing (Sheridan), Cheyenne Brewing Company, Pat O’Hara Brewing Company (Cody), Wind River Brewing (Pinedale), Clear Creek Brewing Company (Buffalo), Freedom’s Edge Brewing (Cheyenne), Gillette Brewing Company, Luminous Brewhouse (Sheridan), Roadhouse Brewing Company (Jackson)

, Sheep Mountain Brewery (Laramie), Melvin Brewing (Alpine), Suds Brothers Brewery (Evanston), Ten Sleep Brewing, Thai Me Up Restaurant and Brewery (Jackson), Prairie Fire Brewing Company (Gillette), and Bitter Creek Brewing (Rock Springs). Several new breweries were also invited this year, including Headstrong Brewery (Douglas) Jackson Hole Brewing, Millstone Pizza Co. and Brewery (Cody), One Eyed Buffalo Brewing (Thermopolis) and WYOLD West Brewing Company (Powell). Admission is $25 for ages 13 and older and free for children 12 and under. “With paid admission you can enjoy live music; taste great chili, soda and beer; receive a 12-ounce mug and ballots to vote for your favorites in the competition class and shop at the local craft booths,” Crimmins said. “Those over age 21 will have the chance to taste the competition class as well as many other hand-crafted brews.” Live music will be provided by the band Slopeside. Local and regional crafters and various food vendors will also be on hand.