Your Questions Answered on Unemployment Insurance and Benefits Filing
What is an unemployment extension?
When you file for unemployment with your state office you qualify typically for a benefit period, usually 26 weeks. But when the national and/or state economies are in real dire straits, as many are now, the federal government and/or the state government may extend unemployment benefits for another period of time. This may be interchangeably called, “employment benefits extension” or “emergency unemployment benefits extension.”
Do I receive my unemployment benefits via check?
Nowadays most states pay eligible unemployment benefits recipients with a specially issued debit card. Others may also offer direct deposit of benefits to your savings or checking account.
Can I collect unemployment?
Unemployment benefits are available to you if you were separated from your job “through no fault of your own,” meaning you were laid-off. If you’ve been fired or you quit your job and can prove the separation was warranted due to adverse job conditions (this doesn’t include just being a disgruntled employee, you must have a real argument) you could qualify to receive unemployment in an appeal.
Where is my state unemployment office?
Your state unemployment office is probably located in a number of areas of the state making it accessible to a wide number of people. Check out our state unemployment office guide for locations and contact information.
How do I find the phone number for my state unemployment office?
You can find the phone number on your state unemployment office website or in the government pages of your phone book.
What was the unemployment rate during the Great Depression?
During the depths of Great Depression, unemployment rose to 25% (1). Unemployment spiked again—to 19%– during a recession in the late 30s. (2)
How long can I collect unemployment?
That depends. You can generally continue to collect unemployment as long as you’re unemployed, but maintain your eligibility status. You may also continue to collect partial benefits if you become employed part-time. At some point unemployment benefits end, but the federal and state governments can extend unemployment benefits, which skews the question of “how long.” Check with your state unemployment office for specifics on your benefits claim.
Can I work part time and still collect unemployment benefits?
Yes. However your benefits amount will be adjusted accordingly. To maintain weekly benefits eligibility you must report any and all earnings for that particular pay period.
What is unemployment insurance?
Unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) are federal-state programs that provide temporary relief to workers displaced from their jobs due to unexpected economic circumstances and even disaster. UI benefits are a fraction of your former income and are intended as a short-term crutch, not as long-term income.
Where is unemployment the worst?
Currently, for first quarter 2009 the top 5 states beginning to crumble under the weight of unemployment demands include Michigan, Rhode Island, South Carolina, California, and Nevada. Here unemployment rates have risen to between 9 and 11%. But the numbers and rates can change based on a medley of factors.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Compensation from before World War I through the Great Depression
2 Wikipedia, Great Depression
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