| Filing for unemployment doesn't have to be a | | | | purposes) |
| difficult process. In fact, there are several things | | | | - Information about your last employer, like the |
| you can do to make it easier. If you're looking for | | | | company's name, address, and phone number |
| unemployment help, take advantage of the | | | | - The tax ID for your last employer (which can |
| following tips: | | | | be found on your W-2) |
| 1. Start by figuring out where to file. When you're | | | | - How much money you made before getting laid |
| filing for unemployment, you should start with the | | | | off |
| state you worked in, even if you've moved since | | | | - Employment information for the past two years |
| losing your job. If you worked in several states, | | | | 5. Find out if receiving unemployment checks |
| your local unemployment office can tell you which | | | | means that you have to file for your state's job |
| state to file in. | | | | service. These services can be a big help, offering |
| 2. Make sure filing for unemployment is something | | | | you job search resources for free at your local |
| you're eligible to do. To qualify, you must be out | | | | unemployment office. However, in some states, |
| of work through no fault of your own, like being | | | | filing for unemployment also means you have to |
| laid off. You cannot receive unemployment checks | | | | prove that you're applying for jobs and sending |
| if you were fired or quit on your own. In some | | | | out resumes. |
| states, you may have had to work for your | | | | 6. Keep current on your unemployment checks. |
| former company for a certain amount of time. | | | | Once you're done filing for unemployment, the |
| 3. See if you actually have to go to the | | | | benefits process doesn't end there. You will have |
| unemployment office. In many states, filing for | | | | to register online and file for your unemployment |
| unemployment can be done online or over the | | | | checks every week. |
| phone. If you file from home, you may be able to | | | | 7. Keep everything in perspective. Filing for |
| skip a long line! | | | | unemployment can be tedious, and your |
| 4. When you're filing for unemployment, you need | | | | unemployment checks will not be nearly as high |
| to have a lot of personal information ready. In | | | | as your former salary. Plus, in most states, you |
| most cases, you will need to provide: | | | | can only receive unemployment checks for 26 |
| - Your address | | | | weeks. In some cases, your unemployment |
| - Your Social Security number | | | | benefits can be extended, but don't assume that |
| - Your driver's license number | | | | an extension will be automatically approved. |
| - Your mother's maiden name (for security | | | | |