How To Apply For Unemployment Benefits

By: Jessica Mousseau

Break Studios Contributing Writer

You may think that it is not necessary to know how to apply for unemployment benefits. The unemployment office has the forms, so all that should be necessary is filling them out and signing them. There is more to the process, however, and the more you know about how to apply for unemployment benefits, the easier it will be.

The first thing you need to know how to apply for unemployment benefits in your particular state. Each state is different, so find out what your state’s laws are concerning unemployment benefits, and what is required to be eligible.
Find out if you meet your state’s eligibility laws. You may have to meet certain requirements for the “base period” (which can include wages earned, time worked, or both), and for the reason you were unemployed.
Find out where the State Unemployment Office is for your area. In some states, this location may be referred to as “the unemployment office,” or “the unemployment insurance agency.” This is where you will go when you are ready to continue the process of how to apply for unemployment benefits.
File your claim. As part of your responsibility in learning how to apply for unemployment benefits, you will need to supply names and addresses of former employers. This information should be correct, so you may want to take some time beforehand to write down this information and take it with you.
Follow your State Unemployment Office’s guidelines for re-applying for benefits during your time of unemployment. Just because you’ve learned how to apply for unemployment benefits and done so does not mean the process is complete. You must re-submit information on a regular basis (usually every two weeks or every month) in order to continue to receive unemployment benefits.
Follow your State Unemployment Office’s guidelines for job hunting. Again, just because you’re receiving unemployment benefits doesn’t mean you can sit around and wait for your check. Most states require you to actively seek employment during the time you are drawing benefits. The only exception to this, in some states, may only be because your job is suspended due to a union-sanctioned strike.