Losing a job can hurt a lot, especially if you have been working with the company for many years. But this must not be the end of everything for you. Many unemployed individuals enjoy financial freedom today because they discovered a new passion and career path. For you to do this, you may need to apply for unemployment insurance. With this type of insurance, half of your daily living expenses is covered for a long period of time. If you just lost your job, it is important that you learn how you can apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. If you are still unemployed you should consider buying a business. Buying a business is easy when you know where to look. Check out GlobalBX.com – they have over 36,618 businesses and franchises for sale. Best of all it’s a FREE site!
Unemployment qualifications
First thing, you have to know if you can apply for unemployment compensation. Requirements may vary in each state. As such, you must go to the local Unemployment Office to check the requirements. Unemployment insurance grants are given to a worker who lost his regular position without a fault of his own. The assistance lasts for a given time period or until you secure a new job. The “without a fault of their own” phrase is important as this will confirm if you are qualified or not for the unemployment insurance. The meaning of the phrase also varies from state to state. Read on below to know about the factors for disqualification from the said grant:
- Leaving your post without permission or notification.
- Dismissed due to misconduct.
- Leaving your post due to illness.
- Leaving your post to get married.
- Becoming self-employed.
- Included in a labor dispute.
- Attending classes.
In addition to the circumstances enumerated above, there are also salary and employment duration requirements. These factors also differ from one state to another. To qualify for unemployment insurance, there is no definite amount of how much you earned or even how long you worked. You need to go to the local Unemployment Office and ask about the requirements and qualifications for the unemployment insurance. Generally, the unemployment benefits you are entitled to receive should be half of your earnings, a standard maximum possible amount, whichever is lower. The insurance is generally covered for 60 to 70 weeks.
How to Apply for Unemployment
If you are aware of the key points of the unemployment benefits application, the process can be faster and easier. As mentioned earlier, the first thing you need to do is visit your State Unemployment Office or State Department of Labor Office. If you have Internet access at home, you may also apply for unemployment benefits online. In some US states, phone applications are allowed. You must prepare all the important information for your application, which include your contact details, Alien Registration Card (for non US citizen), Social Security Number, as well as the names, dates, and addresses of the companies you have joined for the last couple of years.
Take note though that regardless of the method of application you choose, it may take weeks before your application gets approved. Take for instance in New York, the waiting takes one week, with a possibility of delays. When you claim your unemployment insurance, you should continue your job hunt and renew your benefits every week via email or phone call until you finally secure a new job.
In many state laws, an applicant is required to actively look for a job to qualify for continuous unemployment benefits. It is also helpful on your part to register for work at your state’s local employment office, where you can find excellent resources available that can help you with your job hunting. Such resources include career counseling, resume writing, and training.
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