FAQ

Filing for unemployment doesn’t have to be a difficult process. In fact, there are several things you can do to make it easier. If you’re looking for unemployment help, take advantage of the following tips:

1. Start by figuring out where to file. When you’re filing for unemployment, you should start with the state you worked in, even if you’ve moved since losing your job. If you worked in several states, your local unemployment office can tell you which state to file in.

2. Make sure filing for unemployment is something you’re eligible to do. To qualify, you must be out of work through no fault of your own, like being laid off. You cannot receive unemployment checks if you were fired or quit on your own. In some states, you may have had to work for your former company for a certain amount of time.

3. See if you actually have to go to the unemployment office. In many states, filing for unemployment can be done online or over the phone. If you file from home, you may be able to skip a long line!

4. When you’re filing for unemployment, you need to have a lot of personal information ready. In most cases, you will need to provide:

- Your address
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license number
- Your mother’s maiden name (for security purposes)
- Information about your last employer, like the company’s name, address, and phone number
- The tax ID for your last employer (which can be found on your W-2)
- How much money you made before getting laid off
- Employment information for the past two years

5. Find out if receiving unemployment checks means that you have to file for your state’s job service. These services can be a big help, offering you job search resources for free at your local unemployment office. However, in some states, filing for unemployment also means you have to prove that you’re applying for jobs and sending out resumes.

6. Keep current on your unemployment checks. Once you’re done filing for unemployment, the benefits process doesn’t end there. You will have to register online and file for your unemployment checks every week.

7. Keep everything in perspective. Filing for unemployment can be tedious, and your unemployment checks will not be nearly as high as your former salary. Plus, in most states, you can only receive unemployment checks for 26 weeks. In some cases, your unemployment benefits can be extended, but don’t assume that an extension will be automatically approved.

Do you have questions about filing for unemployment? Let Unemployment.info be your one-stop Whether you need unemployment benefits, help with your job search, or are thinking about going back to school, Unemployment.info has all the information you need.