How to Apply for Unemployment

The bad news is you've lost your job, the good news is you might be eligible to collect unemployment benefits. You will need Eligibility for unemployment benefits and a Claim to file.

Step 1 - Find your state unemployment insurance benefits office, just enter the name of your state along with "Unemployment Insurance" into a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. So if you live in New York, you would type in "New York Unemployment Insurance".

Step 2 - See if you're eligible to file a claim, rules vary from state to state but basically you could not have quit your job or been fired for cause. How long you were employed,how many hours per week, how much you earned, and your basic work history are also taken into account.

Step 3 - Apply for the benefits per the site's instructions. These days you can register online, be sure to have your social security number handy as well as your former employer's address and phone number. Note if you're collecting social security or pension, that may reduce your unemployment payments.

Step 4 - If you're deemed eligible to collect unemployment and begin receiving checks, make sure you preserve you're eligibility by following your state's rules. Generally that means you must report any money you earn on the side, you must be actively seeking full time employment, and you cannot turn down a suitable job offer.
if you are denied benefits you may file an appeal.

Step 5 - if you are curious about how much money you're entitled to in weekly benefits payments, go to the Economic Policy Institute weekly benefit amount calculator Epi.org.

Step 6 - Get a job before those checks stop coming in which is usually after 26 weeks.