We have created an awesome Infographic that tells you how Unemployment Program works and how to claim your Benefits. We have explained the claim process in 6 easy steps.
How to get your unemployment benefits
Step 1
Ensure that you qualify for the benefits. The standard criteria for making you eligible are as follows.
- You should have lost your job due through no fault of yours.
- You must have worked in the last 4 to 5 calendar quarters.
- You must be physically capable of doing work.
- And last but not the least, you must be an active job seeker.
Still not clear? Use our online tool to check if you qualify for unemployment benefits.
Once you have made sure that you indeed passed these criteria, you can proceed to step 2.
Step 2
Let’s figure out how much you probably will receive as benefits. The weekly benefit amount you will receive is directly dependent on your earnings during the last four calendar quarters. This is however a state dependent matter and therefore the amount you receive will vary from state to state.
You can use our online unemployment calculator to get an estimate of weekly benefits amount.
In general, the amount you receive will be approximately half for the average weekly wage you earned during the base period.
Step 3
Decide on how you plan to file your claim. You can do it via the internet, phone or visit an unemployment office in person to file your claim. Filing online is the fastest way to get it done, we’ve noticed.
Step 4
Once you’ve done all the previous steps, you are ready to file an initial claim. You will have to keep your SSN, name, address, contact numbers and employment history ready. You may also need some paperwork to prove that you lost your previous job due to no fault of yours.
Step 5
Register with the state unemployment services. This is compulsory in some states. It is done to make sure that you will actively search for a job. Such unemployment agencies offer job hunt services free of cost!
Step 6
Continue filing the claim each week or bi-weekly. Yes you read it right! The unemployment insurance office does not simply send you benefits each week if you register with them and file your claim just once. You have to do it weekly/ bi-weekly. This lets them know that you are indeed continuing to meet the eligibility criteria.
That’s all folks. Good luck with filing your claim and may you land a killer job soon! Do visit us often!
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