You have lost that precious job that provided all the financial support. Now what? Obviously this is not the time to panic or being depressed. Take a step back, and relax – there is always another job waiting to be hunted for. You can use job search links on this site to look for new job, but the first thing you want do is to file for unemployment insurance benefits and allow the lengthy process to start while you look for new jobs. This guide provides all the necessary steps to apply for unemployment benefits. FEMP09©
Claiming Unemployment Benefits – Where to start?
State unemployment offices generally take a few weeks to process unemployment benefits claims, so it is important that you understand how to file for unemployment and file the claim at the earliest opportunity. Be aware that you will get back-credits from the second week of filing, even though state employment offices may take a long time to process your claim for the very first time. Here are the steps to claim unemployment benefits
- Check your eligibility to apply and receive the unemployment benefits. Eligibility criteria are defined by state unemployment programs and you can use the unemployment eligibility article to ensure you have met all the rules. Here is a quick test to check if you are eligible to claim unemployment insurance
- You must be willing and able to work. You may need to claim disability insurance if you have physical disabilities
- Your job loss must be due to employers inability to offer continued employment. If you were fired or lost job due to your own fault, you are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits
- Your salary from the lost job was high enough to cover basic living expenses. Most of the part-time or seasonal jobs do not qualify you for unemployment benefits
- Locate state unemployment insurance agency. You can use the interactive map provided here to locate the state agency, their contact number, office address and the website if you choose to file unemployment online
- Choose your filing method. Most state unemployment offices allow you to file your claims online or through telephone. It is advised to file online or by visiting the state agency as telephone method is prone to data entry errors and you do not want to delay claims processing when you file first time. You can always use the telephone method to extend unemployment benefits.
- Prepare to file the paperwork. According to an estimate, about 50 percent of eligible people do not apply for unemployment benefits due to complex paperwork process. However many states have reduced the complexities as you can see from State of Michigan unemployment data gathering formHere is a list of things generally needed when you file the paperwork and be aware that some States may require more details
- Name, social security number and other personal details
- Name of all previous employers in the last 2 years and their details. W2 will be handy
- An approx. estimate of dates and duration of each employment. Generally employers do not provide this info to states.
- If you are a member of an union, need name and local number of the union
- Reason you left the job – it has to be involuntary to be eligible to receive benefits
- After you have applied for unemployment benefits, wait for the benefit check and stay positive! It takes 2-3 weeks for state offices to process you claim and issue the check. Keep hunting for jobs in that period. Most importantly, do not sit idle. You can learn new skills, read new topics, or find a cost effective volunteering opportunity to keep you mind engaged. Remember you are just searching for a job; there is no reason to let yourself down.
- Register for jobs with the state employment services.This is not mandatory but many state unemployment agencies offer employment services at free of charge if you register. They will guide you with job opportunities within and outside of the state. They will offer counseling services to find the jobs you like. They will also refer you to discounted training programs, or refer you to other agencies if you need special assistance
- Continue to file for unemployment benefits every week or 2 to let the unemployment office know that you are still eligible for benefits. You are also required to report any wages earned, or the job offers received
Claiming unemployment benefits from more than one state
You are required to file your claims in the state where you have worked, even though you are not living in that state now. If you have worked in more than one state or you are currently not living in the state where you worked during the year, you can still contact local unemployment insurance office close to you. They maybe be able to assist you with the claims
Once you file for unemployment benefits, you should continue your job search. Then there is this brave new world of work from home jobs that you can do online. People are making a leaving and some are able make a fortune out of such jobs that can work from the comfort of your home. Making money online is real and it takes virtually no investment.
Tired of looking for jobs? Explore ways to make money online. Here are a few e-books to help you learn
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if you get a severance package when you are laid off work does this effect my unemployment benefits?
Tina
Severance packages do affect unemployment benefits. Generally, you do not get unemployment benefits until the severance pay is dried out. If you are 4 weeks of pay, you do not get paid until.
Check your state unemployment office website for the details similar to the one below
http://www.michigan.gov/uia/0,1607,7-118-26831_27122_27127-137879–,00.html
All the following dates were with the same employer, just different locations for the employer:
I worked in Arkansas from 12-15-08 to 4-1-09 and then transfered to Texas.
I worked in Texas from 4-1-09 to 6-12-09 and was then fired.
I filed for UI with Texas Workforce on 6-14-09 and was denied based on not enough quarters.
Should I reapply in July (start of a new quarter) or will I never qualify? Will I ever qualify, even if I refile in September?
I don’t understand the system.
Thanks
Mike
Mike – Did you file for unemployment in Arkansas? I don’t think you can file in Texas anytime soon given that you have not worked long enough to earn unemployment credits. If you get a job in Texas again and have worked enough quarters, then you can apply in TX if you lose the job again. Hope it helps.
i have opened a claim already but have not recieved my first check yet. the quarter closed in march and again in september. my question is should i close my claim and reopen it in september for more benifits due to a big raise i had recieved from march to july?
i have been trying to reach the number, to contact someone in office and when i have tried to call 24/7 all day to no avail, no one ever answers! i have not received my unemployment check, and i need for employment office to track my check to see what happened..it was sent out aug 4th,09.and it is now aug 13th, still have not got it yet and i need for someone to contact me since it is impossible to get thru to your phone lines.. thank you for your attention to this matter
I am a U.S. citizen who worked for a U.S. based company but the work location was overseas. What state should I use for applying for UI? The company has two main offices in two separate states and the state that I lived in when I left for the overseas job is not necessarily the state that I will be moving back to now that I am unemployed. I am looking at various job opportunities in various states. Also, I have been unemployed now for almost three months…will I be eligible for retroactive UI from the time that I lost my job? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Ken – I believe it would be the state where you lived when you left for this job because that would be address they may have on the payroll records. On your second question, I do think you can get benefits since the day you lost job.
I lost my job in Texas and I have been collecting UC for a couple of months now. It is not looking very good at finding a job despite applying to at least 5 a week now. Can I get a part time job to make up the difference in what I was making at my former FT job?
JP
Yes, most states allow you earn up to half of your weekly unemployment check while getting unemployment compensation. This means if you are drawing a $400 a week unemployment check, you can earn up to $200 a week at a part time job without losing your benefits. Please check your state agency for more details
I had to quit my job because I couldn’t afford child care while I was at work. My husband has a job, but he doesn’t make enough. Can I file for unemployment?
Marie – it appears you quit the job on your own. So that makes ineligible for unemployment compensation. Also, you must have earned sufficient wages to qualify for the benefits. The exact amount is determined by the State. If you were making very little money in your old job, you probably would not have qualified anyways.
If I am receiving umemployment compensation and get a part time job, what happens when the part time job ends. Does my umemployment compensation continue with the full time employeer or do I have to refile?
Steve – you need to report your part-time income and your benefits amount will be reduced. Similarly you need to report when part time job ends so they can adjust the amount again. You don’t need to re-file, but states provide a mechanism to report parttime wages every week.
I have been needing assistance and did not know i could get unemployment.
I was told I have one month left at my job. Can i file for unemployment now? or do I need to wait until the month is up?
Kelly – you cannot file until you are on the payroll. However, you can start the prep work and learn more about the process.
I lost my job last month. Now I have an opportunity to work oversea for a foreign company. In case I was layoff by the foreign company next year. Can I come back to USA (California) and claim un-employment.
Thanks – GKO
GKO – You can claim unemployment based on your past wages. But if you have worked overseas, your employer is not likely to pay unemployment insurance to the State govt. , so the benefits amount will be reduced by certain amount. Generally they calculate the amount based on your earnings in past 5-6 quarters.
I was working for a company that was closing the plant in which I was located in. I was offered a job at another plant that was 1 hour farther than my current hour commute. I quit and took a job locally for less pay to avoid the commute. Am I eligible for lost wages through unemployment until I find a job in my field and at the pay level in which I am trained? What if my current temporary job ends within 90 days of the initial start date, would I be eligible for unemployment from my closing plant job and the temporary job?
@Keith – If you already have a full time employment, you won’t be eligible to receive benefits. You can apply for UI if you lose this job and at that time your benefitsamount will be determined based on your past 18 months of job history. I don’t believe think you can apply for “lost wages” compensation. Your unemp compensation is based on your wages credit you have earned, and they don’t have any obligation to match up to your previous employment levels.
i lost my job back in june of 2007. i recently took a job that was full time and pays half of what i made. the job is making me depressed and i am very unhappy . can i quit and continue my UI benefits in nj?
Eileen – have you already reported your new employment status to NJ state? If so, they might consider it as quitting voluntarily in which case you do not qualify. Even if you haven’t reported, your employer may have started paying unemployment taxes on your behalf.
If the work environment is hostile or too far from your home, then you may have a valid scenario. I would carefully read NJ rules regarding this before quitting the job.
I am filing a claim for unemeployment, my husband gets a penion can i claim him as a dependent. thanks
My wife got laid off from a religious institution (budgetary cutbacks), and is thus inelegible for unemployment from that. She was there for about 2 years. For 10 years before that she worked for a pubic company with “normal” unemployment benefits. Can she collect unemployment based on the earlier job? This is all in Florida.
CJ – According to Florida State law:
“To establish a monetarily eligible unemployment compensation claim, a person must have worked and earned wages during the first four quarters of the previous five completed quarters prior to filing a claim. This period of time is called the “base period.” The base period changes every three months at the beginning of each new quarter starting in January, April, July and October. ”
So, that means you won’t be able to claim wage credits from several years ago. Your situation is slightly different so you may call the State agency to be certain, but I personally think your wife would not qualify
A good friend is collecting unemployment in The State of Washington . He is trying to return to school. He was told by the office that his student loans or grants will be considered income . Please tell us if this is true for his state eligiblity requirements. He will be getting a refund(stipend) of approximately 1,000 and the remaining amount of aid will be going toward school related expense. HELP
When I tried to file for unemployment (2 to 3 weeks ahead of my separation date) the system told me it was too early. The system says it wouldn’t accept my application until my separation date which is 1/31/10. So how can I file 2 weeks ahead of my separation date if the system won’t accept it? I didn’t want any lapse of benefit between my filing and my last day. Please help.
Thanks, Eli Adari
I recently began collecting unemployment from the state of California after being laid off from my job of 10 years. I am searching hard for positions that are not only a good match for my skills but also for my experience level. I was told not to apply for positions that I would not likely accept, because turning down employment could make me ineligible for benefits. I have to be looking for work each week, but nowhere can I find a specific number of jobs that I must apply to each week. Whenever I try to call the California office of employment, they say they are too busy to take my call at that time (big surprise there…) and the call disconnects. Does anyone know if there is a specific number of jobs one must apply to each week, and if so, what that number is?
Aaron – I don’t remember seeing any rules that states you have to apply for “x” number of jobs per week. 5-6 jobs perhaps? not sure… Why don’t you apply for jobs that are slightly above your target band ? If you qualify, you will get a good job. If not, you have some records to show for unemployment offices.
I have been working at a restaurant for 2years now, my hours a week are constantly changing and I can barely afford my basic needs. I acquired a second job in September of 2009 and it was seasonal, so it just ended january of 2010. I applied for unemployment becuase I thought i MIGHT be eligible, and it turns out I was not eligible for the job I was laid off of(didnt work there long enough), yet I was eligible for unemployment benefits from my job at the restaurant I’ve been working at for 2yrs. I never knew I was eligible for the benefits til I tried, and now my employers are angry that they have to pay for the unemployment while I’m still employed. Am I in the wrong to recieve these benefits even though the state said I was eligible? I’m guessing I’m eligible because I’m not getting as many hours as I used to in the base period wages that they calculated were the “high wages” in that base period? Is that correct, or is my employer right and I should not be getting the benefits? I am very confused, if anyone has any answers or can educate me with this problem, my emial is summerbliss96@live.com
I am currently on unemployment and was just given an offer for a 90 day contract. I will be billing the company for services and will be paid Net 30 days. I will be a 1099 employee. Am I able to still collect unemployment since I am not an employee? I can’t seem to find this answer anywhere. Thank you!
Beth – I think you can collect UI benefits as it counts as part-time income. But the benefits amount will be reduced.
I have been claiming unemployment, but have just started a job. However, I will not get paid for another two weeks. Can I continue claiming unemployement until I receive my first paycheck? (WA) Thanks!
I claimed unemployment from 5/09 – 10/09, started working again in 10/20/09 and just lost that job 4/20/10.
Do I need to file a new claim or can I just start collecting from my old claim, as my account has not been fully depleted?
Any ideas????
Thanks.
I work 20 hours a week and receive social security disability. A friend told me that I’m able to get unemployment benefits because I only work 20 hours week. Is this true? I live in madison, wi. Please email me @ marciasockwell@yahoo.com. Thank you.
I worked in Utah for over a year, when the company I worked for went bankrupt and I lost my job I began to receive unemployment. My husband now lives in NH attending school, I have been looking for work in both UT and NH but so far have not found anything. I did interview for a job in NH but it would only pay $40.00 a week. (its part time only 1 day a week for 5 hours) if I took this job to be able to live in the same state as my husband would my unemployment from UT stop? Or could I still receive it while I worked the part time job in NH and looked for something better?
@Beth – You will receive the benefits with a part-time job. You benefits amount will be slightly reduced.
I just started recieving unemployment benefits, the whole process took forever so I had to take a parttime job in the meantime that I would rather not have and I do report all my wages and still file. They are cutting my pay in half and have put my license in jepoardy by making me work on patients after the doctor has left the building.(Im a dental hygienist). My question is if I quit this job for those reasons will I jeporadize my unemployment benefits. Thankyou
I was taken out of my position last week from a big company in California. They said they will try to find me something else in the company but it would be a huge step down in position and pay. If I decline the position would I be eligible for unemployment compensation?
I have been a temporary employee for nearly 4 years (in Pennsylvania). I have been on the same assignment the entire time. I work an average of 32 hrs per week. My position is going to be phased out over the next two months and I expect to be unemployed by July 31. Question 1 – Am I eligible for unemployment compensation even though the job is considered “temporary”. (FYI – UCI is deducted from my paycheck.) Question 2 – if I am eligible, should I apply when my hours are cut initially during the phasing out process or should I apply when the assignment ends completely? Thank you.
Sandy – if you or your employer paid unemployment insurance, you maybe eligible to receive benefits. Generally part-time or temp jobs don’t pay UI. You might be able to apply when they cut the hours.
I had recently quit my job because it was a good 45 minute drive from where i live and when i asked to be moved to a closer location right up from my house i was told no. I wasn’t making enough money, most of it was going to gas. will this qualify me?
brianna – I personally think they may not approve. But you should still apply. Some states and officers are lenient.
I started work for a California company in April 2009. They laid me off and closed their doors on May 26th 2010. Since I did not have a job in the first quarter (Jan-Mar 09), should I file for unemployment now or wait til July 1st, so as to have 4 full quarters to draw from? Or will they just take the highest income (which was in my July-Sept quarter) to figure my weekly pay from? Even if it is only 3 quarters in the base period. I don’t want to get jipped out of any pay.
Hi, I was receiving unemployment from a previous job for a few months, i took a long term temp position that paid very well, i have been working for 6 months at that company but now they told me that they will be closing the New York location in the early fall of this year. Will i be eligible to collect again?. I never had to file an extention nor did i use all the unemployment weeks due to me. Also since this job payed alot more then my previous job, would my unemployment pay the same or pay more?. Hopfully i will find another job before this one ends but no one seems to know the answer to this question.
I have two jobs – one which is full-time and just about to end (in 2 weeks), and another that I just started on the side but I am unhappy with (the employer misrepresented the position and the pay is far below standard but I accepted it for fear of not having income when my main job ended). If I quit the one I dislike before my full-time job ends, will this affect my ability to collect unemployment? Is unemployment only filed against your main employer? I’m not sure how this works. If it helps, the main job is in Washington, and the side job is in California. I would file in Washington. Thanks!
Thought I should add that the main job that is about to end is through no fault of my own. Thanks.
Have you tried getting the answer to your question from the website of your state’s employment development department, or called their office to ask them the question? You don’t have to tell them who you are, you just need a question answered.
I don’t know how it works in Washington, but I am thinking that if you quit your side job first (like immediately), and stay on your primary job until it ends, you will probably be o.k., and your unemployment will be based on your last employer, which will be the job that laid you off.
Just don’t go back to your side job, since it was misrepresented to you, and doesn’t sound like the job you believed you were applying for, on top of the fact that it is so far from where you live. In the meantime, be looking for something else.
I live in California, and quit my job of 2 years (hated it!). After about 4 months of not being able to find another job, I finally found something part-time. After about 3 weeks of 10-16 hours a week on my new job, I applied for unemployment, and got it. The amount I get is based upon my earnings from my PREVIOUS employer (the one I quit). I have to look for full-time work every week, since my previous job was a full-time job. No problem looking. BIG problem finding a full-time job! In the meantime, I have unemployment to help and when that ends, I will use up whatever I have left in savings to get by. After that, who knows.
Hi im currently in the military i have less than five days until i get out. My wife had a very good job but now she is on call or works at all. Can we both collect unemployement? We are located in california. just hoping if that can help.
i have just recently received and early retirement package because my department was declared a surplus am i able to apply for unemployment