Simple Steps for Filing an Unemployment Claim

You have worked and served faithfully for an organization for years. Although you have always done a great job, all of a sudden you find yourself in a situation that you never thought would occur. Through no fault of your own, you lose your job and are now unemployed. This scenario, while not new, has been happening at record breaking rates throughout the United States over the past year. What is one to do in order to help make it through some tough economic times? You file a claim for unemployment. For someone new to this experience, it can be very embarrassing, stressful, and absolutely frightening. The following information is offered in hopes of helping on navigate through the process as smoothly as possible.

Understanding the Unemployment Claim

An unemployment claim , when awarded, is temporary income for a former worker who has lost their job, through no fault of their own. The unemployed individual must not have been fired for just cause and generally speaking, the unemployed individual cannot have resigned from the former job. Money that supports the unemployment claim comes from taxes paid by the former employer of the individual submitting the claim. Unemployment benefits are limited and are meant to assist the unemployed individual for a limited amount of time until they find work again.

Tips for applying are very simple, but very important in the overall process.

Find out where your closest local labor department is located. Note the hours of operation and call ahead for an appointment. Many offices do not necessarily require an appointment but be prepared to wait if you simply drop by the office unannounced. Lines can be extremely long. The best option is to arrive at least a half-hour before the doors open if you are showing up without an appointment.

Have identification and your Social Security Card with you. You will not be able to complete paperwork and have a claim processed without your Social Security Card. If you are not a citizen, but are attempting to file an unemployment claim, you will need proof of immigration status.

Present your Employer Issued Separation Notice. This is a very important document. The separation notice is the official form issued from your last employer. It will identify your employer, names under which you worked, period of last employment, and reason for separation. Make sure your employer has signed the form and listed the date the form was released to you.

Bring a canceled check and bank account information with you in order to complete forms for direct deposit. This is not mandatory, but direct deposit of your unemployment claim will actually speed up how swiftly you will get your money. Likewise, you can avoid waiting on a check, traveling to a bank, and standing in a line to have the check cashed.

Be prepared to take notes and ask questions. In fact, bring along a pen and notepad with questions prepared in advance. Write down relevant information and make sure you take down the name of the case worker who assists you and contact information. Ask questions about anything you that may be unclear.

While you are at the office, be sure to check job postings and search for job information through the many sources that exist at your local labor department. They are there to help.

Finally, understand that unemployment claim benefit payments are finite. Extensions can be granted under certain circumstances, but there is additional paperwork that must be completed.