How do I collect unemployment?

Collecting unemployment compensation is something that many do at least once or twice during their working career. While there are some general rules, the best way to determine whether you are eligible for benefits is to visit your local ESD office.

Tutorial

The first step to collecting unemployment is to be sure that you are eligible to collect. The only way that you can be sure that you’re eligible (or that you aren’t), is to visit your local employment security division office and apply. Even the officials at the office won’t typically tell you whether you are eligible but will require that you fill out the appropriate paperwork. The reason is that many situations have extenuating circumstances that will either help or hurt your chances to qualify.

Typically, a person who has been laid off or fired for some specific purposes are eligible to draw unemployment. There are many reasons that the claim will be denied and you have an appeals process if that happens.

Remember that you won’t leave your job one week and begin drawing unemployment the next. There will typically be a waiting period before you get your first unemployment check. This means that you should sign up immediately upon leaving your job. You should also sign up for unemployment compensation if you are laid off without pay even for a week or two. That could count as your waiting period if your employment is terminated later.

There are lots of requirements for the person who is drawing unemployment, but there are also lots of benefits including classes to help you write better resumes, apply for jobs and training. To determine if you’re eligible for any of the benefits – including monetary compensation – contact your local ESD.

The first step to collecting unemployment is to be sure that you are eligible to collect. The only way that you can be sure that you’re eligible (or that you aren’t), is to visit your local employment security division office and apply. Even the officials at the office won’t typically tell you whether you are eligible but will require that you fill out the appropriate paperwork. The reason is that many situations have extenuating circumstances that will either help or hurt your chances to qualify.

Typically, a person who has been laid off or fired for some specific purposes are eligible to draw unemployment. There are many reasons that the claim will be denied and you have an appeals process if that happens.

Remember that you won’t leave your job one week and begin drawing unemployment the next. There will typically be a waiting period before you get your first unemployment check. This means that you should sign up immediately upon leaving your job. You should also sign up for unemployment compensation if you are laid off without pay even for a week or two. That could count as your waiting period if your employment is terminated later.

There are lots of requirements for the person who is drawing unemployment, but there are also lots of benefits including classes to help you write better resumes, apply for jobs and training. To determine if you’re eligible for any of the benefits – including monetary compensation – contact your local ESD.