| The job situation continues to look bleak here in | | | | * Matrimony |
| the U.S. The unemployment rolls increased by | | | | * Education opportunity |
| 851,000 in February 2009. States, while the stock | | | | * Labor dispute |
| market successfully climbs out of its malaise. | | | | Filing for unemployment benefits |
| Many individuals are still nervous as they watch | | | | Immediately upon being laid off, the first thing you |
| their colleagues and relatives receive pink slips. | | | | should do is to file for your unemployment |
| One of the major concerns for those new laid off | | | | benefits. The process normally takes two -three |
| workers is the issue of how to file for | | | | weeks to complete. |
| unemployment. | | | | In order to file a claim, here is the information you |
| Unemployment insurance offered by the federal | | | | must have on hand: |
| government gives several benefits to the | | | | * Social Security Number |
| workers who are unemployed due to a variety of | | | | * Alien Registration Card (for resident alien |
| reasons. The states are in charge of managing | | | | identification) |
| the local programs. | | | | * Mailing address along with the zip code |
| In order to receive unemployment compensation, | | | | * Contact phone number |
| eligibility requirements must be met. Some of | | | | * Past employment information for the previous |
| these terms relate to wages earned and length of | | | | two years |
| time on the job. If you are in the unfortunate | | | | After establishing eligibility for unemployment |
| position of being laid off, you must take | | | | benefits call or visit your local office. You will have |
| immediate action to establish your eligibility. | | | | to fill out the required forms. Each state has a |
| First you will need to establish is that you are laid | | | | ceiling on the maximum amount you get in |
| off through no fault of your own. Gather any | | | | benefits. Normally the amount is half of your |
| documents you have that can verify your current | | | | average weekly salary. In some states the |
| status. Be sure to have proof of citizenship or | | | | maximum amount you can withdraw is 26 times |
| your residency card if you are here as a resident | | | | your weekly benefit amount or half of your base |
| alien. Compile any information you can on past | | | | wages, whichever is less. |
| employment and review any information on how | | | | Filing for unemployment in your state may be |
| to file for unemployment in order to be prepared. | | | | easier in person at your local office. Though you |
| The following reasons will disqualify you from | | | | may have been paying into Federal |
| receiving unemployment benefits. | | | | unemployment insurance while working, your |
| * Quitting without cause | | | | current benefits are still subject to the Federal |
| * Resigned due to illness | | | | income taxes. Don't forget to report your |
| * Termination for misconduct | | | | benefits on your Federal income tax return. |
| * Choose self-employment | | | | |