Sec. 7. (a) Benefits based on service in employment defined in IC 22-4-8-2(i) and IC 22-4-8-2(j) shall be payable in the same amount, on the terms, and subject to the same conditions as compensation payable on the basis of other service subject to this article, unless otherwise specifically provided, subject to the following exceptions:

(1) With respect to service performed in an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity for an educational institution, benefits may not be paid based on the service for any week of unemployment commencing during the period between two (2) successive academic years, or terms, or during the period between two (2) regular but not successive terms, or during a period of paid sabbatical leave provided for in the individual’s contract, to any individual if the individual performs the services in the first of the academic years or terms and if there is a reasonable assurance that the individual will perform services in an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity for any educational institution in the second of the academic years or terms.

(2) With respect to services performed in any capacity (other than those listed in subdivision (1) of this section) for an educational institution, benefits may not be paid based on the service of an individual for any week which commences during a period between two (2) successive academic years or terms if the individual performs the service in the first of the academic years or terms and there is reasonable assurance that the individual will perform the service in the second of the academic years or terms. However, with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 1, 1984, if compensation is denied to any individual under this subdivision and the individual was not offered an opportunity to perform such services for the educational institution for the second of the academic years or terms, the individual is entitled to a retroactive payment of compensation for each week for which the individual filed a timely claim for compensation and for which compensation was denied solely by reason of this subdivision.

(3) With respect to any services described in subdivision (1) or (2), compensation payable for these services shall be denied to any individual for any week which commences during an established and customary vacation period or holiday recess if there is reasonable assurance that the individual will perform the services in the period immediately following the vacation period or holiday recess.

(4) With respect to any services described in subdivisions (1) and (2), benefits shall not be payable on the basis of services in any such capacities as specified in subdivisions (1), (2), and (3), to any individual who performed such services in an educational institution while in the employ of an educational service agency. For purposes of this subdivision, the term “educational service agency” means a governmental agency or governmental entity that is established and operated exclusively for the purpose of providing such services to one (1) or more educational institutions.

(5) For services to which 26 U.S.C. § 3309(a)(1) applies, if the services are provided to or on behalf of an educational institution, compensation payable based on the services may be denied as specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), and (4).

     (b) For purposes of this section, benefits may not be denied during the period between academic years or terms to any individual having wage credits earned with other than an educational institution if the wage credits qualify the individual under section 5 of this chapter and the individual is otherwise eligible. In these cases, the claim shall be computed based on the wage credits earned with employers other than educational institutions reported for the individual during the base period, in accordance with IC 22-4-12-2 and IC 22-4-12-4. Benefits paid based on the computation shall be only for weeks of unemployment occurring between academic years or terms. For any weeks of unemployment claims other than between academic years or terms, the claims of these individuals shall be recomputed to include all base period wages.

Formerly: Acts 1971, P.L.355, SEC.34. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.262, SEC.22; Acts 1978, P.L.122, SEC.2; Acts 1979, P.L.229, SEC.3; P.L.227-1983, SEC.8; P.L.129-1984, SEC.2; P.L.2-2011, SEC.13.