You're Fired! How to Get Unemployment Benefits

"You're fired!"¸ as Donald Trump would say. Perhaps your employer was a bit kinder and told you that your services were no longer required. It is a horrible experience whether you call it getting fired, canned, let go, or terminated and the results are the same. If you are lucky you got a severance package. A severance package unfortunately, these days isn't often offered. It is hard enough to walk past your fellow employees who haven't gotten the boot as you are escorted out of the building with your box of belongs. Worse yet, is when you are escorted out and you are told they will mail you your belongs. Ouch, really that hurts. At least in these economic times, loosing your job isn't perceived by many as embarrassing as it once was. Embarrassment aside, as the denial begins to dissipate wonderment sets in as questions and concerns arise as to how you will afford your rent/mortgage, food, medical insurance, and the rest of your expenses. Sooner or later I bet your thoughts will turn to Unemployment.

Unemployment is actually a form of insurance that your employer has been taking out of your check. You have been paying into it for years so don't allow guilt and pride to keep you from applying. This money was set aside for you in case this unfortunate circumstance happened to you. Filing for unemployment is a relatively an easy process, but the rules for Unemployment do vary from state to state. In most states you can apply at the Unemployment Office, the Internet, or on the phone. If you think you have many questions, apply by phone. The employees at the call center are knowledgeable and sympathetic.

Jurisdiction for Unemployment falls under the United States Department of Labor. Basically, you need to have been terminated from your position through no fault of your own. In other words, if your employer had justification to fire you, you will be ineligible for Unemployment. If you were terminated because you were unable to fulfill your job because of being off work for a lengthy illness, you do not qualify for Unemployment. You may however, qualify for Disability, a different federal program. First you will need to find out if you qualify for Unemployment. Most states use a formal to figure out if you qualify based on the number of years and hours that you worked for someone your age. The states use this complicated formula to determine whether or not you qualify. Since you can't impact the formula by worrying about it, your new job at this point is to fill out the necessary paperwork. To see a map to click on to get information germane to your specific state use the following link http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp

Filing a claim is extremely easy. If I can do it, anyone can. File for Unemployment as soon as you are unemployed in order to obtain all the benefits to which you are entitled. In some states there is a waiting period and it may take several weeks to get that first check. So do not delay in applying for Unemployment. It is important that when you complete the application, that you complete it accurately and completely. An incomplete form is a rejected form and you will need to reapply. This means there will be no money coming in for an even longer period of time.

After your specific state has decided that you warrant receiving Unemployment there are other regulations that to which you are expected to comply. Most states have you checking in with the unemployment office via a ongoing system be it going to the unemployment office, or contacting them by telephone, or Internet to answer questions related to whether or not you have earned any income in the week/weeks since the last mandated check in. They will also question you as to whether or not you have been seeking employment and if you have been offered a job or not. If your state has any other directions for you, make sure you follow them or you will be disqualified from the program. Some states will mandate that you enroll in certain job training or state approved job employment services. If there is a high demand for your type of job, such as being a nurse in your area, do not expect to be allowed to collect Unemployment for a long time with out this idleness being called into question. Unemployment is meant to be temporary assistance while you look for work, not a time to just home and lick your wounds because you lost your job.

While you are getting Unemployment you will only be getting a portion of your former salary. I know it feels like a slap in the face but you are required at some point to pay taxes on your unemployment check. You can choose to have the taxes taken out when you are given the checks or pay it at the end of the year (well, at least in PA you can). You'll have to double check that with your own state. *With the stimulus package, the first $2400 dollars, which you earned through the Unemployment benefit in 2009, you will not have to pay taxes on this money. However, you will need to pay taxes on the rest of the Unemployment benefit which you earned in 2009.

The Unemployment benefit is set up so that you can normally receive the checks for up to 26 weeks. However, during periods of high unemployment, such as during a recession or in specific of a federally declared natural disaster, these benefits may continue. *On February 17, 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama. Because we are currently in a recession depending on what state you are in, your unemployment benefit could be extended by as much as an additional 33 weeks.

If you are denied Unemployment benefits there is an appeal process in place. However, as I was granted my Unemployment benefit when I once needed, it so I don't have any personal experience on which to draw on in order to assist you. My best suggestion if this happens to you is to go to the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration's website and read through the information there. There website is http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/uifactsheet.asp . When I went to that site I found a link for denials and it is http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/content/denialinformation.asp .

I know being asked to leave a job that has been an important part of your life is difficult. In losing a job you lose more than a paycheck. At times, it may feel you have lost a piece of yourself as well. These feelings are common, as you are in mourning for the death of your job, a way of life, and perhaps some connects you had in your personal life. Hopefully, having this guide to obtaining Unemployment will make this process less painful for you.

Source

United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
National Employment Law Project http://www. nelp.org/page/-/UI?ARRA Concise.pdf?nocdn=1