Should i claim unemployment benefits

Meet work and wage requirements. Meet any additional state requirements. How Do I Apply? You should contact your state's unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.

Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states. When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment.

To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information. It generally takes two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check.

State Unemployment Insurance Offices. For example, federal law provides states flexibility to pay benefits where: An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID, preventing employees from coming to work; An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member. Webpages on this Topic Office of Unemployment Insurance Data and Statistics Performance Management State Unemployment Insurance The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own as determined under state law , and meet other eligibility requirements of state law.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees The Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program provides benefits for eligible unemployed former civilian federal employees. Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits Extended Benefits may be available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. Mortgages Rates Dropped to 3. The U. Amy Wong was working as a part-time stylist at Stitch Fix in spring when the company announced it was moving workers out of California to cut costs.

Which left the year-old San Francisco resident out of a job. Nine percent were deterred because the process seems too difficult or complicated. In all, the report suggested, millions more people would have filed for benefits if the process were easier. Plain and simple. Applying for unemployment benefits requires organization, diligence, and persistence. Even then, it could take months to actually receive any payment. Many people, like Wong, would rather put their time and resources elsewhere.

Accessibility is also restricted in communities where language and literacy levels are prohibitive, says Marquez. On top of that, rules vary in all 50 states. Other potential claimants may be misclassified. There are many people who are classified as employed, but absent from work due to pandemic-related business closures, says Elise Gould , a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute EPI.

Worker misclassification contributed to approximately , missing workers who could have filed for unemployment benefits in March , according to the EPI. Many people are unaware that they could even qualify for unemployment benefits in the first place. The perceived stigma around applying for unemployment benefits could be holding people back, Marquez says. Unemployment insurance is there to help you should you need it, and should be viewed as a tool instead of a crutch. Because the process of applying for unemployment insurance is incredibly localized and dependent on where you live, look for resources from local groups that are available to help.

For example, Working America has spearheaded a campaign in Philadelphia to increase utilization of unemployment benefits among Black workers. The group helps individuals through the application process to make sure anyone eligible receives benefits.

In usual times, unemployment claims last for 26 weeks half a year in almost every state, assuming that you don't find a new job during that time. In difficult economic times, however, the federal and state governments may extend these time frames. Recently, the federal government passed a stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus outbreak that extended unemployment benefits for an extra 13 weeks on top of what your state provides, with a maximum of 39 weeks.

Yes, if the state agency determines that you haven't met the requirements. For example, the state may find that you quit your previous job without good cause, as defined by state law. Even if you have already started receiving benefits, the state might later deny your claim if, for example, if decides that you aren't available for work, that you've turned down suitable work, or that you have, in fact, been working and not reported your earnings to the agency. You have a right to appeal the denial decision.

You may be asked to submit your side of the story by phone or in writing, and you will likely have the opportunity to appear at a hearing and argue your case. Contact your state unemployment agency or labor department to find out how to appeal a denial of unemployment benefits. It depends on your state's eligibility requirements. To collect unemployment benefits, you must be out of work through no fault of your own. Most states consider employees who are fired for performance reasons or simply because they are a "bad fit" for the position to be eligible for benefits.

On the other hand, an employee who commits serious misconduct, such as stealing from the company or violating important safety rules, probably won't be eligible. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service.

Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Unemployment Benefits FAQ. Answers to common questions on collecting unemployment compensation.