3 Things You Should Know About Unemployment

Today’s unemployment data is in, and it appears as though both initial jobless claims and continuing jobless claims are falling right now. This is providing some optimism that the economic recovery might be starting. However, unemployment still remains high, hovering at around 9.4% or 9.5%. This means that there are still people looking for jobs. And there are still plenty of people collecting unemployment benefits.

If you are one of those folks — or if you think you might soon be — here are 3 things you should know about collecting unemployment benefits:

1. You have to be fired or laid off. You don’t get unemployment benefits for quitting. However, some states allow you to collect unemployment during a forced furlough, as long as you group your days together.
2. Unemployment benefits last 26 weeks. Federal money to state programs only allow you to collect for 26 weeks. After that, you drop off the claims rolls (which might be one of the reasons that the continuing claims data is lower). There are some state programs, however, that offer some assistance beyond the 26 weeks. Your state unemployment office probably has information.
3. You should apply as soon as possible. It can take weeks to start collecting benefits. Paperwork and bureaucracy and all that. So you should begin the application process as soon as possible. Go to servicelocator.org to find out how you can contact your state’s unemployment experts.

It is also important to realize that you should be looking for a job while you are collecting unemployment benefits. You may be required to bring contacts and a log of the efforts you have made to locate employment in order to remain eligible for unemployment benefits, depending on the state.

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