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How Do I Become Eligible for Unemployment Benefits:Guide to Unemployment Benefits Eligibility - If you have lost your job, the last thing that you want to look at is unemployment statistics. It makes it no easier to know that nearly 10 percent of the US population is in the same boat. Even while we hear about signs of recovery in the economy, long-term unemployment is edging up; more than 41 percent of unemployed workers have been jobless for six months or more, and 26.6 million people, including those who are looking for employment and those who have given up, are without work. The most discouraging news is that for every job opening, there are more than five people who are unemployed. Unemployment benefits are a lifeline for those who have lost their jobs, but navigating the world of paperwork, rules, and regulations can be confusing, especially if you are still reeling from the loss of your income. This guide will show you how to become eligible for unemployment benefits so you can create a sense of stability until you're working again.
*have worked at the job in question for a year or more. What about if you get fired? It depends; you may still be eligible for unemployment benefits. If you were wrongfully terminated or fired through "no fault of your own," you will probably qualify. If you are fired because you never show up to your 8 am shift before 9:30 am or for other misconduct, because you are involved in a labor dispute, or because you have left to get married, you cannot qualify. Others who cannot receive unemployment benefits include:
*those who are self-employed. There are a lot of grey areas here. If you aren't the best employee but show up consistently and work with a professional demeanor, you will probably qualify for benefits if your company lays you off because of the economy. If you yell at your boss, show up late, leave early, or make egregious mistakes through incompetence, negligence, or carelessness, you probably will not - or at least your employer can contest your right to unemployment benefits. Because regulations are different by state, it is important that you always speak with a benefits counselor to see if you qualify. As mentioned, there are a lot of grey areas, and you may qualify even if you were fired. Unemployment Resources Center offers a list of Departments of Labor or Workforce Agencies by state. Are you eligible for unemployment benefits? (http://www.unemployment-resources.org/states/show_all). If you click on the link for your state, you will be directed to more information about specific requirements and benefits.
How Much Can You Get in Unemployment Benefits?:As with questions of eligibility, there is no specific answer as to how much your benefits will be worth. It depends on your state and your wages. Unemployment insurance is funded in large part by the federal government, but the states retain the right to administer those funds, so this is why each has different eligibility requirements and benefits formulas. Let's use California to see how an amount is arrived at. The state looks at your earnings during a specific 12-month period, called the base period. This begins 15 to 17 months before the date you file your claim. Your benefits are based on the calendar quarter during which you earned the most. The minimum benefit is $49, and the maximum is $450, and you have to have made at least $11,674 in one quarter of your base period. That means you get $450 if you made $12,000 in that quarter or if you made $120,000. Your benefits will max out at $450 per week. You'll find that all states have a cap, though this differs. Kentucky, for instance, calculates your benefits by adding your base pay for the first four of the last five complete calendar quarters. This is multiplied by 1.307 percent. But you must have had to earn at least $750 in one of the four quarters, and the total of the four quarters must be 1.5 times the amount in the high quarter. So, if you made $12,000 in your high quarter, your grand total for all four quarters has to be $18,000 or more. Kentucky unemployment benefits max out at $415 per week, and the total wages you earned in your final two quarters must be 8 times your weekly benefit amount. Luckily, Kentucky's Office of Employment and Training has a handy online calculator to help you figure out your potential unemployment benefits.How Do You Apply for Unemployment Benefits? - Many states allow you to file an unemployment claim online at their state homepage, Department of Labor, Office of Employment and Training, or the agency which handles unemployment benefits. You can also file by phone or in person in some offices. You can check Unemployment Resources or Google your "apply for unemployment benefits" for specific instructions on how to apply for benefits. If there is one silver lining in the high unemployment rate, it is that applying for benefits is easier and there are a lot of resources to help you. What about extended unemployment benefits (http://unemployedworkers.org/sites/unemployedworkers/index.php/site/resources)? UnemployedWorkers.org has a site that can help. You can also use the Department of Labor’s service locator and click on the state in which you worked and wish to file for unemployment benefits (http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp) While unemployed, it is important to learn how to live on a smaller budget. If your monthly income has suddenly gone from $6000 a month to $1800, it is going to be a drastic change for you, your family, and your living situation. The Washington Department of Financial Institutions has a site with resources that can help you cut back and learn to live on a smaller budget while receiving unemployment benefits (http://www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/job-loss-resources.htm). Losing your job is one of the most traumatic experiences you can have in life; knowing where to turn for help and how to get the unemployment benefits to which you are entitled can help make it a little easier.
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