Applying For Unemployment Benefits After Losing Your Job

The worries you will hold after losing your job can be concerning. You don’t know when you’ll be able to get a new job and it might not be as easy to get one as you expect. But you don’t have to worry about your finances when you apply for unemployment benefits.

You can apply for unemployment benefits to help you receive income while searching for a new job. But the timeframe you’ll have for using those benefits will be limited. The steps for applying for these funds will also vary by state but the rules are helpful.

What Are Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment benefits work as a form of insurance for when you lose your job. You can apply for these benefits in your area to help you receive money to cover your expenses for a few months after losing your job. This setup works for a few weeks or months as you search for a new job.

Are You Eligible?

You will need to apply for unemployment benefits in your state or local area. The standards for whether you can qualify for benefits will vary by state.

There are a few steps you’ll have to follow to be eligible for these benefits:

• Your unemployment must be from something that was not your fault. Anyone whose employment was terminated with just cause will be ineligible. Those who lose jobs due to things like a business downsizing or an operation closing down are eligible.
• You’ll have to meet the income requirement for receiving benefits. You must earn a particular amount of money over one or two years to receive support.
• Your employment term should also be long enough to allow you to have had a steady job. Anyone who has worked for at least one or two years and consistently did so will likely qualify.
• You should also be actively seeking a new job while earning benefits. You can provide information to your state about your ongoing job search.

Getting the Benefits Ready

You can apply for unemployment benefits after you confirm your eligibility. You can use these steps:

1. Visit the website of the state agency that offers unemployment coverage in your area. The state you apply in should be the one where you worked.
2. Be sure you start your application as soon as you become unemployed.
3. Provide information on your former employment, including when you worked, your position, and contact info on the business.
4. Ensure you are offering complete details. Failing to provide detailed info could result in delays.
5. Identity verification measures may be necessary. You will have to provide a copy of your driver’s license or other identification to confirm you’re completing the application.

What Will You Receive and When Will You Get It?

The funds you’ll earn through unemployment insurance will vary by situation and state. You can get a couple of hundred dollars a week through a program.

You’ll only receive your funds for a limited time. Most states let you collect unemployment funds for up to twelve weeks. This timeframe should be enough to assist you with your expenses while you’re still searching for a new job.

How To Prove You’re Seeking Employment

One point about receiving unemployment benefits involves showing that you are actively seeking a new job. The rules for how you will show you’re searching for new employment vary by state, but there are a few points to see:

• Keeping a journal of your job search can help. You can list who you are contacting, where you are applying, and any job boards you are going through.
• Your state’s career center may also offer opportunities. You can find info on recruiters and job fairs through a center.
• People who attend new training or learning programs to gain skills for future employment can also qualify for unemployment benefits.

What If Your Hours Were Reduced?

One point to see for unemployment benefits involves how you might get partial benefits if you are still employed at your job but your hours were substantially reduced. Some states, like Missouri, offer benefits where you can receive partial benefits if your hours are significantly less than what you usually have.

In states where this offer is available, you’d have to report all your wages for the week and be available for work at all times. There should be proof that there is nothing that would keep you from working regular hours. You may also lose those benefits if you are offered work elsewhere and refuse it.

Conclusion

Unemployment benefits will provide a safety cushion in case you lose your job for any reason that wasn’t your fault. The timeframe for when you’ll receive them is limited, plus you’ll need to ensure you’re searching for new employment to keep earning your funds. But you’ll find that money to be helpful for your life while you actively look for a new job.