(a) Basic requirements. To qualify for benefits with respect to a benefit year, an employee:

(1) Must have earned compensation in an amount equal to at least 2.5 times the amount of the monthly compensation base during his or her base year; and

(2) If such employee has earned no compensation prior to such base year, he or she must have earned compensation in at least five months during his or her base year.

(b) Deemed service months disregarded. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, service months deemed under § 210.3 of this chapter shall be disregarded.