It can happen to anyone at any time. You go to work one day and the next you find yourself unemployed. With the unemployment rate still holding steady at just over 9% that means that almost one in ten people are unemployed and searching for a job.
Once you find yourself unemployed the first thing people need to know is how to collect unemployment.The first thing to check off your list is the items that would prevent you from filing and successfully receiving unemployment benefits.
You should file for unemployment benefits the day after you’ve become unemployed. The sooner you apply, the sooner you receive your checks.
Disqualification from Unemployment Benefits
- You quit your job without good cause
- You were fired for misconduct
- You resigned because of illness (check on disability benefits)
- You left your job to get married
- You were self-employed
- You were involved in a labor dispute
- You are attending School
What do I need to file for Unemployment Benefits?
This will vary from state to state, but try to have the following with you when you file:
- Social Security number
- Mailing address and phone number
- Your two most recent employers (with names, addresses, etc.)
- An Alien Registration Card if you’re not a U.S. citizen.
How Much will Unemployment Benefits Pay?
Not everyone will receive the same pay for unemployment. It will vary based upon what state you live in and how much you were making on the job. It’s reported that some states are paying close to $400 a week while others cap out at $200. Most states will pay you half of what you were making at the time you were laid off.
Health Insurance? It’s possible that you’re eligible for COBRA (health insurance) benefits – but you will have to pay for them. Check with your former employer or state unemployment office for details.
Where to File for Unemployment Benefits
Most states can handle filing for unemployment benefits online while others require you to come into their office to file the paperwork. To determine what is required in your state we’ve gathered all of the state unemployment benefits pages below for your convenience.
To determine where and how to collect unemployment in your state, click your state below and you’ll be taken to your state’s page containing everything you need to know to file for unemployment benefits.
After you’ve filled out your claim, come back and find employers in your area with full-time and part-time jobs hiring now.
