| If you have been dismissed for reasons outside | | | | questions about your employment history and the |
| of your own control, you may be entitled to | | | | circumstances surrounding your termination. After |
| unemployment benefits. Naturally, your former | | | | you have filled this out, your former employer will |
| employer will probably try to drag his or her heels | | | | also be contacted and asked to tell his or her side |
| over the situation, since a successful | | | | of the story. Many employers will try to avoid |
| unemployment benefits claim against them will | | | | being culpable for unemployment benefits, so it |
| increase the unemployment insurance they will | | | | may be your word against theirs. They can be |
| have to pay for the rest of their employees. This | | | | expected to protest your claim. |
| means that you may have to fight your previous | | | | If they do try to deny your claim, you may want |
| employer in order to receive your benefits. | | | | to go to the unemployment office in person for |
| Normally, if you've been fired for misconduct, you | | | | an interview. You will probably talk to someone in |
| are unable to receive unemployment benefits. If | | | | an official capacity about your firing, and you'll be |
| you were fired for drug or alcohol use, theft, | | | | able to explain in person your side of the events. |
| failing to show up at work, or violating a written | | | | You will be able to respond to any claims made |
| company policy, you may be unable to collect | | | | against you by your erstwhile employer. The |
| unemployment benefits. The usual rule of thumb | | | | official will make a decision based on the |
| for determining if you were fired with undue | | | | information. However, either side may appeal this |
| cause is if you were fired through no fault of | | | | decision. |
| your own. If you believe that you were fit this | | | | In an appeal, both sides are able to present an |
| standard, then you may be entitled to | | | | additional response to the unemployment office, |
| unemployment benefits. | | | | usually with a 30 day window. The final decision |
| The first step is to apply for the an | | | | will be made in court by a qualified judge. This |
| unemployment insurance benefits claim, usually by | | | | process is very similar to a trial, and you may |
| applying for them in person, placing a phone call or | | | | want to consider hiring an employment attorney |
| filling out an online survey. You will have to answer | | | | to represent you. |