Rhode Island § 28-44-14 - Employment Security — Benefits
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 28-44-14 — Employment Security — Benefits, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 28-44-14. Employment Security — Benefits
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-14
§ 28-44-14. Waiting period.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, the waiting period of any individual shall be either:
(1) Seven (7) consecutive days, commencing with the Sunday of the week in which the claimant filed a claim for benefits, during which that individual is totally unemployed due to lack of work; or
(2) Seven (7) consecutive days, commencing with the Sunday of the week in which the claimant filed a claim for benefits, during which that individual is employed less than full time due to lack of work and during which he or she has earned remuneration for services performed in an amount less than his or her weekly benefit rate; provided, that no waiting period credit can be given in either case if a disqualification has been imposed with respect to the whole or any portion of that seven-day (7) period under § 28-44-12 or §§ 28-44-16 — 28-44-21.
(b) No waiting period shall be given to any individual unless he or she has filed a valid claim in accordance with regulations adopted as prescribed.
(c) Benefits shall be payable to an eligible individual only for those weeks of his or her unemployment within a benefit year that occur subsequent to one waiting period, which shall be served at any time during the benefit year.
(d) No period of total or partial unemployment shall be counted towards an individual’s required waiting period if, with respect to any portion of that period of unemployment, benefits have been paid under the employment security or temporary disability insurance acts of any other state or of any similar acts of any foreign government, or if benefits have been paid under the temporary disability insurance act of this state or under any similar acts of the United States.
(e) In the event that an individual’s unemployment is due to a natural disaster or state of emergency, there shall be no waiting period.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no waiting period shall be in effect from the date of enactment of this article through June 30, 2009.
History of Section.
P.L. 1936, ch. 2333, § 7; P.L. 1937, ch. 2556, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 284, § 7; P.L.
1939, ch. 670, § 5; P.L. 1940, ch. 811, § 1; P.L. 1949, ch. 2175, § 1; P.L. 1950,
ch. 2535, § 1; P.L. 1955, ch. 3425, § 1; P.L. 1956, ch. 3658, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-44-14;
P.L. 1958, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 1958 (s.s.), ch. 215, § 2; P.L. 1961, ch. 98, § 1; P.L.
1981, ch. 87, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 299, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 93, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch.
5, art. 5, § 1.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 28-44-14
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 28-44-14 cover?
Section 28-44-14 ("Employment Security — Benefits") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 28-44-14?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 28-44-14" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 28-44-14 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.