Most of the answers will depend on where you are living. Even though some unemployment policies have been framed by the federal government, states set most of the rules and run most of the programs.
Let me help you get out of that maze?
Take The First Step
Your first step is to find your state's workforce agency. You can even stake your claim by calling them over the phone or via Internet. There are other options also. You can begin at a One Stop Career Center or simply call the Department of Labor at (877) US2-JOBS, who will help you locate your local unemployment insurance agency.
Who's Entitled To The Money?
Find out who is paying the unemployment insurance premiums to the state. However, even that is not a full proof assurance that you can collect. Most states set extra rules regarding who can collect unemployment insurance. The first rule stipulates a minimum work period, in general about a year and 6 months.
Secondly you have to be laid off and not fired. There is a marked difference. Workers are laid off because of budget constraints, whereas workers are fired as a consequence of disciplinary transgressions.
Thirdly, you must be in a covered position. It is seen that domestic, farm and self-employed workers are normally not covered.
Broadly speaking, if you quit and stop looking for work, you are not eligible to collect. But there are loopholes and aren't we all great at finding them. If you quit your job, because you were sexually harassed, or asked to something that your moral values found revolting, or something that was detrimental to your health, you can still collect.
Once you've become eligible for the benefits, you have to be out on that job-search and be ready and able to work, the moment you land one. Your employment benefits are there to tide you over the period till your next job, not to make you complacent and content that you stop looking for a job.
Each week, when you will go to collect your benefits, you will have to furnish proof that you have been searching for work; otherwise they'll withhold your benefit for that week. It's not that you will have to accept the first job that you get; it has to match your competence, talent and qualifications. State laws and the jobs that you held earlier will establish whether a job is fitting for you
What Is The Amount?
In most states, your weekly benefit amount is calculated on the basis of your last job's wages. If you have been a low-wage worker, it will reflect in your weekly benefit amount. However, there is some sense of justice. Low wage earners are reimbursed the highest percent of their lost weekly wage, up to 70 percent. Whereas high-wage earners are compensated to up to 50 percent what they were getting and what they are now losing.
What Is The Duration?
The benefits will come to you for a fixed number of weeks not exceeding 26. Those 26 weeks are for a period of one year. The following year you will be eligible for another 26 weeks. However, assuming that before you managed to get a new job, you had collected for 10 weeks and then got laid off again, you will get benefits for just 16 more weeks.
Beware, Its Not Totally Free.
Not having a job is bad enough. Add to that the benefits are a fraction of what you would have received if you still had that job. But what you will do well to remember is that your benefit compensation is subject to federal and often state income tax. You are well advised to ask them to withhold a portion of your check; otherwise you may receive an unmanageable tax bill on April 15 of the following year.
What I have enumerated for you are the basic guidelines and information that is applicable to all, irrespective of where they are living. Don't forget that unemployment insurance is a state-run program. It would be appropriate if you would find exactly where you stand, check with your state's unemployment office.
