Can You Collect Unemployment Benefits While in Rehab?

One of the most common concerns for people who are looking to enter into rehab is, “can I collect unemployment while in rehab?” and understandably so. You may be able to collect unemployment benefits while in rehab, but your eligibility can depend on factors such as your ability to work and if you are actively seeking employment.¹

Read on to learn more about rehab, unemployment, and how you can start your recovery journey today.

Can You Collect Unemployment Benefits While in Rehab?

Unemployment insurance is specifically designed for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own; it is not a benefit you can use to take time off from work to go to rehab.¹ If you want to attend a specific rehab program duration, you might instead consider using the unpaid, job-protected leave offered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).²

Different states have different requirements for unemployment.¹ To learn more about working while in rehab, it can be helpful to consider talking to your employer about rehab, or consult your company’s employee assistance program and ask EAPs for rehab referrals.

Which Unemployment Benefits Can You Get While in Rehab?

There is no federal unemployment program, and each state sets its own requirements.¹ If you lost your job through no fault of your own, then you can likely receive unemployment regardless of whether you’re in rehab or not.¹ It is advisable to check with your state’s unemployment office or seek legal counsel to determine the exact types of benefits you may be eligible to receive.^3,4

In general, unemployment specifically refers to:³

• Cash benefits to workers who have lost their jobs.
• Cash benefits to people who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

In addition to cash benefits, you may also qualify for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), which provides a continuation of your health insurance coverage when you lose your job.⁵ To find out more about COBRA coverage, refer to your plan’s summary plan description (SPD), which you should have received within 90 days after you first joined the plan.⁵

How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits While in Rehab

Going to inpatient drug and alcohol rehab may or may not have an impact on your unemployment benefits, depending on whether you meet certain eligibility requirements.³ Many of the specifics can depend on your state, so you should get in touch with your state’s unemployment office to verify their exact requirements.³

General qualifications for unemployment benefits while in rehab include the following:³

• You are unemployed through no fault of your own if (in most states) you lost your job because there was no available work.
• You must also meet your state’s work and wage criteria, which are based on earnings or hours worked during a specific period known as the “base period.” This typically refers to the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.
• Any other requirements set by your state, so be sure to check with your state’s unemployment program for more details.

People may be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits for the following reasons:⁶

• They voluntarily left work without a good cause.
• They are discharged for work-related misconduct.
• They are unable to or unavailable for work.
• They refuse an offer of suitable work.
• They knowingly make false statements to receive unemployment benefits.

Keep in mind, therefore, that to continue receiving unemployment, you will need to be available and able to work, and you also cannot turn down a job offer if one is made to you.⁶ This can mean that if you’re going to inpatient rehab, medical detox, or a short-term rehab program and you turn down a job because of this, you may lose your benefits.

Outpatient Rehab & Continuing to Work During Treatment

People who attend outpatient addiction treatment programs can continue to work and attend to daily responsibilities.⁷ Outpatient rehab schedules are typically flexible and can take place in the evenings or on weekends.⁷ However, depending on the severity of your addiction and other factors, you may be advised to enter a specific level of outpatient care, which may impact your overall rehab time commitment and availability to work.⁷

Outpatient levels of care can include:⁷

• Partial hospitalization rehab programs, or high intensity outpatient programs (HIOP) which typically require 4-8 hours of treatment most days of the week.
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs, which usually involve 9-20 hours of weekly treatment.
• Standard outpatient care, which may be advised for those with less severe addictions, manageable co-occurring disorders, and stable home environments; it can involve attending treatment 1-3 times per week.

Start the Recovery Journey

Dealing with unemployment and addiction at the same time is challenging, but there is hope. Treatment can help you regain control of your life, and often helps people achieve more productive functioning at work, as well as at home and in relationships.⁸ When you’re ready to reach out, please call us at to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your treatment options and learn about using health insurance to pay for rehab, or view our facilities below:

• Recovery First Treatment Center
• River Oaks Treatment Center
• Oxford Treatment Center
• Greenhouse Treatment Center
• Laguna Treatment Center
• Desert Hope Treatment Center
• AdCare Hospital
• AdCare Rhode Island