Have you lost your job? In this note we tell you what you need to apply for unemployment insurance in the United States and how long it will take you to start receiving your first payment.
According to the Labor Department, applications for unemployment insurance in the United States increased by 3,000 to 220,000 in the week ending September 9. This is considered an indicator of the number of layoffs in a week.
WHAT IS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN THE UNITED STATES?
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a joint state and federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers, according to Benefits.gov, with the purpose of providing temporary financial assistance to those who are unemployed. no fault of their own. . While each state sets its own eligibility requirements, benefit amount, and length of time to receive benefits, they all follow the same guidelines established by federal law.
Payments are based on a percentage of your earnings over the most recent 52-week period, and each state sets a maximum amount. You should know that benefits are subject to federal and most state income taxes and must be reported on your income tax return. You can also choose to have tax withheld from your payment.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE?
To receive unemployment insurance, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, depending on the state where you live, but generally speaking you must:
- Being unemployed for reasons beyond their control. In most states, this means you must have left your last job due to lack of available work.
- Meeting labor and salary requirements. You must meet your state’s requirements for wages earned or worked, which range from 12 to 24 months in most states. This is called the “base period.”
- Find a job.
- Meet additional state requirements. Find program details in your own state at the Unemployment Insurance Services Locator.
HOW TO APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE?
To get Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, you must file a claim with the state program where you work. You can do the process online, by phone or in person.
- Contact your state’s UI program as soon as possible after you become unemployed and check with them to find out if you need to file a claim in person, by phone, or online.
- You must apply in the state where you work. If you work in a state other than the one where you live or if you work in multiple states, the UI agency in the state where you currently live can provide you with information on how to file your claim in other states.
- Have the information at hand. You must provide information, such as addresses and dates of your previous employment.
HOW LONG IS MY FIRST CHECK?
If all your paperwork is correct, it should take two to three weeks for you to receive your first benefit check. However, some states require a one-week waiting period, meaning you won’t receive your first payment until the second week of your unemployment claim.
