| Introduction | | | | - Were involved in a dispute over labor issues |
| With the economy as it is today, people | | | | - Attended school |
| everywhere are facing job cuts and layoffs. If | | | | If any the above applies to you, check with your |
| you are currently unemployed, you may be eligible | | | | state's Unemployment Office to see if there are |
| to collect unemployment insurance benefits while | | | | any available remedies or options for you. You will |
| you are out of work. The purpose of | | | | likely be subject to a scheduled interview to |
| unemployment insurance is to provide people who | | | | provide the office with more details of your |
| have become unemployed through no fault of | | | | separation. Benefits could be reduced or denied |
| their own with money payments for a set period | | | | accordingly. |
| of time until they find a new job | | | | When and How Do I File? Documents and |
| Eligibility for unemployment insurance is established | | | | Information Needed for Filing |
| by general Federal guidelines. Additional eligibility | | | | You should file for unemployment benefits as |
| requirements are set by each individual state, | | | | soon as possible after severance from work. It is |
| such as money amounts and period of pay. | | | | to your advantage to do so quickly because it |
| These requirements will vary from state to state, | | | | usually takes at least a few weeks before you |
| but it helps to know some of the general | | | | collect your first check. Also, you need to give |
| guidelines for collecting benefits. This article | | | | the Unemployment Office some time in case they |
| explains some of the more general requirements | | | | need to conduct follow-up interviews. |
| for unemployment eligibility. | | | | Every state has an Unemployment Office which |
| Eligibility Requirements for Unemployment Benefits | | | | you may contact over the phone or through their |
| A person who files for unemployment insurance | | | | website. You will need the following basic |
| benefits must meet several eligibility requirements. | | | | information and documents for filing: |
| In order to be eligible, you must: | | | | - Your social security number |
| - Be unemployed, either totally or partially | | | | - If you are not a U.S. citizen, an Alien Registration |
| - Be monetarily eligible (received sufficient wages | | | | Card |
| during the previous employment- this varies by | | | | - Your full mailing address |
| state) | | | | - A phone number where you can be reached |
| - Be unemployed through no fault of your own | | | | - Contact information of past employers from the |
| (being laid off = no fault) | | | | previous two years (i.e., names, addresses, dates |
| - Meet weekly requirements each week benefits | | | | of employment) |
| are collected. These weekly requirements include: | | | | How Much Will I Be Paid? Can My Collection Period |
| Being physically and mentally able to work; | | | | Be Extended? |
| actively seeking employment and being ready to | | | | Both the amount you will be paid and the number |
| accept work; filing weekly claims in a timely | | | | of weeks you may collect are subject to change, |
| manner | | | | and vary from state to state. Usually the amount |
| - In some instances, be approved to attend | | | | you will be paid is half of your earnings, or half of |
| training courses before benefits can be collected. | | | | the state's average weekly earnings. |
| If you are already attending a form of training, | | | | For most states, the maximum number of weeks |
| you might not need to fulfill the "seeking | | | | you may collect a check is 26 weeks, though |
| employment" requirement listed above. | | | | several states have a maximum of up to 99 |
| Probably the most important factor here is being | | | | weeks. Also, Congress often changes the |
| unemployed "through no fault of your own". This | | | | deadlines for collection. For example, Congress |
| means that you cannot collect unemployment if | | | | recently voted [ to extend collection periods in |
| you have been fired or voluntarily left | | | | certain instances where time has lapsed. |
| employment (i.e., if you quit). However, in some | | | | Again, check with your local office to determine |
| instances you may still be eligible if you voluntarily | | | | the amount of wages you are entitled to receive |
| ceased employment for "good cause", which is | | | | and the number of weeks after unemployment |
| determined by state authorities through a hearing. | | | | that you are eligible. |
| Finally, benefits collected through unemployment | | | | Conclusion |
| must be declared in tax statements. | | | | The times can be demanding, and authorities are |
| Disqualification from Unemployment | | | | doing what they can to assist people while |
| Several factors may disqualify you from receiving | | | | preventing abuses of the unemployment system. |
| unemployment insurance benefits. You might be | | | | If you have recently become unemployed, check |
| disqualified if you: | | | | to see what options you have available under the |
| - Quit your job without having "good cause" | | | | general guidelines given above. If you are |
| - Were fired or discharged for misconduct | | | | currently employed, be mindful that if you leave |
| - Were released due to illness (though you may | | | | your job, the way you do so can affect your |
| be eligible for disability) | | | | unemployment eligibility. |
| - Resigned in order to get married | | | | If you need further assistance, contact a lawyer |
| - Were self-employed | | | | through who can explain these matters in-depth. |