Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance provides temporary income for eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. To collect unemployment, the worker must have sufficient work and wages in covered employment to qualify. The worker must also be actively looking for work and ready and able to work if an employment opportunity arises.

Unemployment insurance is funded through payroll taxes paid by employers for each employee actively employed. To be eligible to collect unemployment insurance, the employee must be terminated by the employer. A worker is not eligible for unemployment if they choose to leave their job voluntarily, unless there are extenuating circumstances that come within the limits of the unemployment laws. The circumstances will have to be proven before any benefits are paid. A worker that has been employed for less than three months is not eligible for unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance is paid from the day you file for unemployment and not the day you are terminated. Unemployment is not retroactive.

If you are self employed, you are not eligible to collect unemployment insurance. Those who are not citizens and not legally employed also do not qualify for unemployment compensation. If your hours have been cut, you may be eligible to receive partial unemployment insurance. If your work place is destroyed by fire or weather related incidents such as flood, hurricane or tornado, you might be eligible for unemployment insurance, even if you have not worked the required three months.

At one time, individuals collecting unemployment insurance were required to report weekly to their local unemployment office and prove they were looking for employment. This visit can now be accomplished over the phone or online. Check your state unemployment regulations to find out the procedure to follow while collecting unemployment insurance.

Each state is different when it comes to applying for unemployment benefits. Some states are set up to handle the application process over the telephone or via the Internet. Be able to apply over the phone or internet saves time and allows the unemployed to begin searching for a new job almost immediately.

When you apply for unemployment compensation, you will have to provide certain information. It will expedite the process if you have all the information at hand when filling out the application.

You will need to supply your name and contact information and your social security number, your state issued driver’s license or ID card number, if you have either. If you have neither contact your state unemployment office to find out what the alternate accepted methods of identification are. You will need the date of your last day working for any employer. If you were moved to part time status, you will need to provide the last date you worked full time.

You will also need to provide the name of your last employer and the contact information for that employer, including any mailing and physical addresses, including zip code and telephone number including area code. Be sure to spell your employers name correctly. You will also need to provide the name and contact information for all the employers during the 18 months prior to filing your claim.

You will also have to provide the reason you are no longer working for your last employer and you will have to be specific about the reasons.