| Over half of Americans who are out of work are | | | | spending required on credit or from savings. |
| not receiving unemployment benefits. | | | | 2. The window will close. If you do not apply for |
| For some of those not receiving benefits, there is | | | | benefits within a year of losing your job, you run |
| an understandable explanation. They may have | | | | the risk of no longer meeting the eligibility |
| been ineligible to receive benefits, or their benefits | | | | requirements in your state. This applies even if |
| may have expired. For many people, however, | | | | you meet all of the other eligibility criteria. |
| the reason they are not collecting benefits simply | | | | 3. Flexibility to find a job you like. Unemployment |
| because they do not apply. | | | | statistics show that, on average, it takes almost |
| If you are about to get laid off, have recently | | | | five months for people to find a new job. Without |
| been lost your job, or even if you have be out of | | | | unemployment benefits, financial circumstances |
| work for months, there are many good reasons | | | | may require that you take the first job |
| why you should apply. Below are four good | | | | opportunity that presents itself. By receiving |
| reasons to apply for unemployment insurance: | | | | unemployment compensation while you you are |
| | | | seeking work, you will have more flexibility to |
| 1. A financial buffer. At an average of more than | | | | think about different career possibilities and |
| $300 per week, unemployment checks can add | | | | choose the job that is right for you. |
| up. Think about the funds as covering a certain | | | | 4. No shame. Do not allow yourself feel bad about |
| portion of your expenses. If your unemployment | | | | applying for unemployment benefits. The |
| benefits manage to cover your rent or mortgage | | | | unemployment insurance system is funded |
| - great. If the money also covers the cost of | | | | through employer payroll taxes. Employers are |
| your food - terrific. While the amount you collect | | | | required to pay a percentage of your income to |
| will be less than you earned while working, be | | | | support the unemployment pool in your state. In |
| thankful for the money. It will help protect your | | | | essence, this is money that would have been paid |
| personal finances, and lessen the amount of | | | | to you. |