Have You Ever Been Laid Off Or Fired? Here's What You Should Know About Unemployment Benefits

Have You Ever Been Laid Off Or Fired? Here's What You Should Know About Unemployment Benefits

If you suddenly find yourself unemployed either due to a lay off or termination, your first instinct is probably panic. Believe it or not the majority of people who have just lost their job, do not even think about unemployment. They are to consumed with the events off not seeing the lay off or being fired coming. There mind is to busy wondering how could they just lay me off or fire me like that, without any warning. What am I going to do now? Then the two words unemployment benefits pops into your head giving taking your anxiety down a few notches.

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are designed to help people, who are unemployed by no fault of their own, with financial payments for a certain period of time or until the person has found a new job.

The federal government established the unemployment guidelines, while each state provides and oversees their own unemployment programs within the guidelines. In other words, each state determines a persons eligibility for unemployment benefits, the monetary amounts, and the length of time each person is eligible for unemployment benefits.

Unemployment Eligibility

In order for a person to receive unemployment benefits, they have to meet the unemployment eligibility requirements for income earned or amount of time worked during an established time period. In addition, it must be determined that the person is out of work through no fault of their own.

When To File A Claim For Unemployment

You should file your claim as soon as possible. In most states you can file online. In fact, most states require you to file a claim online, by phone or by mail. To find out, go to your states unemployment website. The sooner you file your claim, the quicker you will start receiving payments. However, be patient it does take about 2 weeks to get your first payment. You have the option of receiving a check, direct deposit, or a debit card in most states. Once your payments start you have to "file" each week that you do not work. You can file online, by phone or mail.

Documents You Need To File An Unemployment Claim

In most cases, you will need the following documents to file a claim:

Unemployment Benefits

Documents You Need To File An Unemployment Claim

In most cases, you will need the following documents to file a claim:

Requirements To Keep Your Unemployment Benefits

In order to keep your unemployment benefits you must register with your states' job service (usually at the unemployment office.)You are required to be able, ready, available, and willing to accept a job if one is offered to you and meets certain requirements (they do not expect you to take a part-time minimum wage job when you were making $20 an hour at a full-time job before you were laid off or fired.) Nor, can you just collect your payments in hopes the company that laid you off will call you back. In most states you are required to meet with a job counselor who will assist you in finding new employment at least once.

You will also have to prove that you have been looking and submitting applications and resumes. Many states have a standardized form that a company will sign when you pick up or drop off an application or resume. If you fill out and submit a resume online you must provide the companies name and phone number, so they can verify your efforts.

Unemployment counselors are a wonderful resource when trying to get back to work They will assist you in writing a resume, provide tips on interviewing, and act as a support system.