Unemployment insurance and workman's compensation for those using Acces$

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

My husband has spent a lot of time researching this question. He has

spoken to several people from Acces$ both here in Illinois and in

Pennsylvania and he has spoken to both our own Service Facilitator

and to people fron the Department of Human Services, Division of

Developmental Disabilities in Springfield.

Here is what we know:

The law in Illinois states that it is only mandatory (meaning you

must have it) to have workman's compensation insurance for domestic

workers (PSW's fall in to that category), who work 40 hours per week

for at least 13 weeks. This does not mean that you are not liable.

Unlike babysitters, for whom no one worries much about workman's

compensation, PSW's often take our sons and daughters out in the

community, including in cars, on buses and on trains. It is very

unlikely that your home owners insurance policy will cover PSW's, so,

just know that there is the potential for liability if a PSW is

injured while working with your child. It is up to you to decide

whether you purchase workman's compensation insurance. Acces$ is not

liable, nor do they offer any workman's compensation insurance.

As for unemployment insurance, according to DHS/DDD, the 11% fee that

is taken out of each paycheck covers taxes, including FICA, FUTA

(federal unemployment) and SUTA (state unemployment).

I hope this helps...

Ellen