The economy is recovering in fits and starts, and you've been caught
in the crossfire. Your boss lays you off from your job, and you're stuck
looking at unemployment insurance in the immediate future. If you've
never been laid off or fired before, going through the steps to apply
for unemployment is a daunting task. Thankfully, many states make it as
easy as possible to get an unemployment claim into the system so you
start getting paid as soon as possible.
Go to Your State's Unemployment Website
Look through the eligibility requirements for unemployment. In most
cases, you have to leave your last job through no fault of your own. If
the business fired you for cause or you quit, you may need to fight to
get your unemployment payments. If the company fights you particularly
hard, you may need to retain a lawyer to assist you. Additionally, you
also need to meet a base wage requirement and length of time working
before you're considered eligible to collect unemployment benefits.
Check what level of benefits you receive from unemployment as well. You
want to immediately look at your budget and see what needs to be cut out
so you have your essentials covered. Even the max unemployment benefit
doesn't tend to give you a great deal of money to work with, so take
hold of your budget with a firm hand.
Read through the Claims Process
Most states have an online application to fill out and send to the
unemployment office. If you do have paper forms to send in, the state's
website provides you with all of the necessary forms and instructions
needed. Additional information needed for filing includes your mailing
address, driver's license number, mother's maiden name, your employer's
federal ID, the full span of your employment and how much you earned per
month. Send in all of the mandatory information requested or you will
delay your claim acceptance. The average amount of time you'll be
waiting for your first check is no more than three weeks.
Check Your Claim's Status
If you have any supporting documentation, send it in to help your
unemployment claim. Use the online form to check the status of your
claim on the unemployment website, or call the office to ask about your
status. If your claim is denied, appeal the decision if you have a good
reason why it should not have been denied in the first place. Some
common reasons to get a claim denied include leaving work without a
reason, being fired for misconduct, refusing a job offer that's suitable
for your skills, being unable to accept a job or defrauding the
unemployment office. Your former place of employment may also choose to
file an appeal on your behalf if it believes you should get unemployment
when you are denied. Complicated cases may take some time to sort out.
Keep Up with Unemployment Insurance Requirements
Once your claim is accepted, make sure to follow unemployment
insurance requirements. You'll have to refile your claim at certain
intervals to remain eligible for your checks. In addition, any income
you receive alongside your unemployment checks has to be reported in
full. If you make more than a certain amount, you will no longer receive
unemployment. If you receive a job offer or refuse a job offer, this
information has to be relayed to the office. Keep up with your job
center schedules. Some states require you to go to a career center
regularly to improve your job skills and apply for positions.
Apply for Extended Benefits
Most unemployment periods last 26 weeks. If you remain unemployed
after this time period, look into extended unemployment benefits. These
benefits last for up to two years, depending on the state, and give you
the chance to find a job in this difficult market. You may also choose
to freelance or start your own business if a job doesn't come up.
