Working Through the Unemployment Insurance Maze

A Insurance Article Contributed by Diana L.M.I. Dawson

Unemployment Insurance Eligibility

Most folks are confused by the eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance. While the rules may differ from state to state, there are certain basics that generally hold true. If you've been working at a particular company and have been terminated due to poor performance, misconduct or any other justifiable reason that would constitute being fired, you won't be eligible for unemployment insurance.

Of course, if you've been fired unjustly and can prove such, you may be able to turn that decision around during a hearing that will be scheduled by the Unemployment Department (otherwise known as the Department of Labor).

Those who voluntarily leave their place of employment are generally not qualified for unemployment insurance either. There are also certain situations in this scenario where exceptions may be made, such as in the case of leaving your job due to your spouse having been transferred out of state by his or her employer.

Those who are usually eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits tend to be folks who were targeted for a lay-off or elimination of the particular position that they held. Seasonal employees, such as construction workers, can normally collect unemployment insurance, as well. The exception to this would be those who are only hired for a holiday season, such as workers in the retail industry who are hired as extras for the Christmas season.

Since the terms of employment were specifically for that period of time only, those workers would not be eligible for unemployment insurance at the end of their contract. Temporary workers may be eligible for unemployment insurance, depending upon the requirements that have been set by the particular state in which they're employed.

How to File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Most states will no longer require you to physically go to the nearest Department of Labor office in order to file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits. There are now options to file an initial claim over the telephone or online from your home computer. The steps are simple, straightforward and will save you the time and frustration of having to wait in long lines for most of your day.

Once the initial claim is filed, you'll be notified of whether or not a hearing is required, and when you can expect to hear the results of your eligibility. From that point forward, you can continue to file your weekly unemployment insurance claim over the phone or online for the duration of 26 weeks (varies according to circumstances). Once you've been deemed eligible for benefits, you'll receive retroactive checks, as well as the current weekly check for which you're due.

For example, if you're determined to be eligible for benefits five weeks after you've filed, then you can expect to receive six checks in your mailbox during the first week that you actually start collecting your benefits.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive in Unemployment Insurance?

Typically, the amount that you can expect to receive will depend upon how much you've earned over the past three quarters of the previous year. The Department of Labor will take an average of the two highest quarters and divide that amount by 26. This will indicate the amount of monies that will be dispensed to you each week through your unemployment insurance benefits.

For further information, or to determine your unemployment insurance eligibility, contact your local Department of Labor.