§ 1 Definitions
§ 2 Service deemed ”employment”; exclusions
§ 3 Service within and without commonwealth included in ”employment”
§ 4A Service included in employment; American employer; state
§ 5 Services under arrangements with agencies of other states and federal government included in ”employment”
§ 6 Service not included in ”employment”
§ 6A Other service not included in ”employment”
§ 8 Employing units subject to statute
§ 8A Other employing units subject to statute
§ 8B Domestic service and agricultural labor; employer
§ 8C Crew leaders; definition; employees of crew leaders
§ 9 Individuals employed by unit in several places
§ 11 Ceasing to be subject to statute on application
§ 12 Determination whether employer within statute; review; double costs; reconsideration
§ 13 Payment of required contribution; secondary adjustment payments; credited to unemployment compensation fund
§ 14 Contribution rates in general; contributions in general; definitions; notice of payment of benefit and potential charges; review; transfer of business
§ 14A Nonprofit organizations and governmental employers
§ 14B Liability for payments; credits; adjustments
§ 14C Contributions by governmental employers; rated governmental employers
§ 14E Economic development fund
§ 14F Unemployment Trust Fund; report concerning fund average and actual balance
§ 14K Federal Loan Interest Fund
§ 14L Work force training contribution paid by employers
§ 14M Benefits paid to employees of Indian tribes
§ 14N Assignment of contribution rates and transfer of accounts
§ 14O Fraud Penalty Fund
§ 14P Registration of employers; reporting of employee information
§ 14Q Collection of unemployment compensation debt by offset of federal tax refund payments through treasury offset program
§ 15 Failure of employer to pay required amounts when due; recovery of erroneous payments; assessments; enforcement; collection pursuant to treasury offset program
§ 15A Collection of payments; levy upon depositary accounts; liability of depositaries
§ 15B Holder of licenses to sell alcoholic beverages; failure to pay amount owed; suspension of license
§ 16 Liens of judgments and overdue contributions; recording and filing of notice; actions to enforce liens
§ 17 Priority of claims
§ 18 Adjustment, credit or refund of overpayments; adjustment or additional payment for insufficient contributions; interest
§ 19 Final payment to foreign corporations or non-residents; certificate
§ 19A Application for or renewal of license to conduct profession or business; certification of compliance with contribution laws; renewal or extension of certain contracts; false certifications
§ 20 Compromise with employers; statement of commissioner filed
§ 20A Settlement for amount less than owed; conditions; agreements subject to attorney general review; reopening of case
§ 21 Deductions from income returnable for taxation
§ 22 Payment of benefits in general
§ 23 Payment of benefits; waiting period
§ 24 Eligibility for benefits
§ 24A Seasonal employment
§ 25 Disqualification for benefits
§ 26 Unemployment benefits received or sought under laws of another state or United States
§ 28 Wages not included in determination of eligibility for benefits
§ 28A Employees of commonwealth, political subdivisions, or religious, charitable, educational, or other tax exempt organizations
§ 28B Repayment of unemployment benefits overpaid to certain officers, partners, owners or other interest holders of employing unit
§ 29 Weekly benefit rates; partial unemployment; dependency benefits for children; retirement benefit recipients
§ 29B Child support obligations; disclosure; deductions
§ 29D Worksharing program; application and approval of worksharing plan; benefits
§ 29E Notification to claimants; tax liability and withholding
§ 29F Uncollected overissuance of food stamp coupons; disclosure; deductions
§ 30 Total benefits for year; industrial or vocational retraining; solvency account charge; trade readjustment allowance; employer’s lockout
§ 30A Extended benefits program
§ 30B Payment of additional benefits upon termination of eligibility for benefits pursuant to Federal Supplemental Compensation Act
§ 31 Benefits in a subsequent benefit year
§ 35 Waiver of rights; agreement to pay contributions or payments in lieu of contributions; deduction from wages; enforcement
§ 36 Assigning, encumbering or releasing benefits; exemption from claims of creditors; exception
§ 37 Fees and representation in proceedings under this chapter; solicitation of business of representing claimant
§ 38 Claims, reports, notices and returns, in general; notice of claimant’s failure to report for work
§ 38A Payment of benefits resulting from failure of employing unit to timely or adequately respond to department request for information
§ 39 Determination of claim and benefits; procedures; payment of claims or denials; default in payment of contributions
§ 40 Application for review
§ 41 Review by board; procedures; findings of fact; decision; judicial review
§ 42 Judicial review; procedures; appeals; rules
§ 42A Commissioner represented by attorney general or designated attorney
§ 42B Modification or reversal of decision; recovery of payments
§ 43 Administering oaths; depositions; certifications; witnesses; production of evidence; contempt; self-incrimination
§ 44 Accounts for employers; records for employees; disposition of papers; summaries; reproductions
§ 45 Records and reports of employing units; verification
§ 46 Confidential information; admissibility as evidence; exceptions to disclosure restrictions
§ 47 False statements or misrepresentations; punishment; evidence; restitution
§ 47A Utterance or delivery of insufficient funds check with intent to defraud; punishment
§ 48 Unemployment Compensation Fund; establishment; composition; benefits payable from pooled money
§ 49 Vested rights
§ 50 Treasurer of Unemployment Compensation Fund; clearing account; fund account; deposit with United States secretary of the treasury
§ 51 Requisition from trust fund; transfer to commissioner
§ 52 Benefit account
§ 53 Unclaimed balance in benefit account
§ 53A Unemployment Trust Fund; money credited to commonwealth’s account; use; records
§ 54 Depositaries; insurance charge; commingling funds
§ 55 Bond of commissioner; premiums paid from administrative account
§ 56 Trust fund; administration upon cessation of Unemployment Compensation Fund or federal separate book account; investments
§ 57 Requisitions from state trust fund; investment board; deposits; investments; assistance
§ 58 Employment security administration account; monies received; disposition
§ 58A Contingent fund; establishment; composition; expenditures; transfer
§ 59 Liability on state treasurer’s bond
§ 60 Federal moneys allotted to commonwealth paid into accounts
§ 61 Special employment service accounts; agreements relative to employment offices; acceptance of moneys, services or quarters
§ 62 State advisory council; duties, powers and reports
§ 62A In-person, telephone and walk-in assistance by the division for individuals applying for unemployment compensation; orientation; notice; initiation of claim
§ 63 Publication and free distribution of statutes, reports, regulations and relevant material
§ 64 Reports and information for federal, commonwealth and political subdivision agencies; confidential information; federal regulations governing expenditures
§ 64A List of employers qualified for exemption under Sec. 5I of chapter 59; confidentiality
§ 65 Records available to federal railroad retirement board; cooperation with federal agencies; agreements relative to employment offices; acceptance of moneys, services or quarters
§ 66 Reciprocal arrangements with other states and federal government; reimbursements; investigations; exchange of information, services and facilities; benefits based on combined coverages
§ 66A Arrangements for utilizing facilities and services of commonwealth and foreign countries
§ 67 Estimate of liability of employer failing to make report or return; collection
§ 68 Payment of benefits due a deceased or mentally incapacitated person
§ 69 Recovery or deduction of erroneous payments; cancellation; liability of disbursing officer; penalty for misrepresentation of material fact or failure to disclose material fact
§ 69A Charging off uncollectible amounts
§ 69B Set-off against refunds; notice; review
§ 69C Reduction of back pay award due to receipt of unemployment benefits; notice to commissioner; reimbursement of unemployment compensation fund
§ 69D Final decision
§ 70 Extent of application of rulings
§ 71 Reconsideration of determinations; limitations; notice; appeals
§ 71A Definitions applicable to Secs. 71B to 71G
§ 71B Closing of facility; report; certification; notice; hearing; appeal
§ 71C Partial closing of facility; identification; regulations; eligibility for reemployment assistance benefits
§ 71D Reemployment assistance program
§ 71E Reemployment Assistance Fund; Health Insurance Benefits Fund
§ 71F Eligibility for reemployment assistance benefits
§ 71G Eligibility for health insurance benefits
§ 71H Plant closing employers; bills for reemployment assistance benefits
§ 72 Jurisdiction of action to enforce statute; entry fee in actions and proceedings
§ 73 Severability
§ 74 Title of statute; construction; purpose
lawyer woman

Ask an employment law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified employment lawyers
Specialties include: Employment Law, EEOC, Pension and Compensation, Harassment Law, Discrimination Law, Termination Law, General Legal and more.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 151A - Unemployment Insurance

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. Source: OCC
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Interests: includes any form of membership in a domestic or foreign nonprofit corporation. See Massachusetts General Laws ch. 156D sec. 11.01
  • Joint committee: Committees including membership from both houses of teh legislature. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Mortgagee: The person to whom property is mortgaged and who has loaned the money.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
  • Recess: A temporary interruption of the legislative business.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • Remand: When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.