---
title: O.C.G.A. § 34-8-21. Base period; alternative base period.
collection: code
id: 34-8-21
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 34-8-21 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-21
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-21.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-21/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t34-(v26)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=ba91129b_0#page=155
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS / EMPLOYMENT SECURITY / DEFINITIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 34-8-21. Base period; alternative base period.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, as used in this chapter, the term ‘‘base period’’ means the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of an individual’s benefit year; provided, however, that, in the case of a combined wage claim under Code Section 34-8-80, the base period shall be that applicable under the unemployment compensation law of the paying state.

(b) If an individual does not have sufficient wages to qualify for benefits under the definition of base period in subsection (a) of this Code section, then his or her base period shall be calculated using the last four completed quarters immediately preceding the first day of the individual’s benefit year. Such base period shall be known as the ‘‘alternative base period.’’ Applicants shall receive written notice of the alternative base period. Implementation of the alternative base period shall commence on January 1, 2003. Implementation of the alternative base period under this subsection shall be under such terms and conditions as the Commissioner may prescribe by rules and regulations.

## History

Code 1981, § 34-8-21, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 139, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1119, § 2; Ga. L. 2004, p. 1074, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 139, § 8/HB 581.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2002, p. 1119, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Employment Security and Enhancement Act of 2002.’’’

Ga. L. 2009, p. 139, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: ‘‘This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Georgia Works Job Creation and Protection Act of 2009.’’’

## Law Reviews

For survey article on labor and employment law for the period from June 1, 2002 to May 31, 2003, see 55 Mercer L. Rev. 303 (2003). For annual survey of labor and employment law, see 56 Mercer L. Rev. 291 (2004).

For note on the 2002 enactment of this chapter, see 19 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 258 (2002).