Collecting Unemployment

Collecting unemployment, also called unemployment insurance is a way devised by the federal government to pay for basic living costs to people who are unemployed. The government pays for a specified period of time till the worker is able to find a new job. You need to meet the set criteria for collecting unemployment benefits, especially those related to number of years worked and the wages earned. You need to be employed for the last one year to claim the benefits. You would be disqualified if you quit your job without giving a good reason, fired for misbehavior, quit due to ill health, self employed, or involved in a labor dispute.

In most states, the benefits include being paid for 26 weeks, but if the unemployment rate is quite high, you may be paid for additional weeks. You may be paid half of your earnings, subject to the maximum limit and that limit depends on the state you live in. You may like to know more on applying for unemployment benefits.

If you have been laid off a few days back, you need to file for collecting unemployment as soon as possible. The documents which you would require include your social security number, mailing address with the zip code, phone number, date of employment, name and addresses of your past employers for the last couple of years.

Collecting Unemployment in California
As per the rules applicable in the state of California, unemployed people are provided temporary compensation, who meet the eligibility criteria set. For being eligible, you must have been employed in the past and you must have received a specified amount as wage. You can get this information from the California Employment Development Department. You must also prove to them that it is not your fault that you have been rendered unemployed. You also need to file ongoing claims besides responding to queries related to your future eligibility. During the period you claim collecting unemployment benefits, you need to report any kind of earnings from any kind of work which you may be doing, besides giving an account of job offers which you may have got.

While filing for this type of unemployment benefit, you need to keep the name, address and dates in which you were employed handy. Also get all notification related to your unemployment like severance, termination or layoff letter, so that you can show it to the concerned authorities. The amount you receive would depend on your last earnings, but the maximum limit is US$450. However, this limit is subject to change depending on the number of people filing for a claim. These benefits are subject to taxes and you can opt to have the taxes withheld. The rules for collecting unemployment in Florida are mostly the same as that of California, and the only difference is the maximum limit which can be claimed. In Florida, the limit is US$275.

Collecting Unemployment While Working
Once you find employment after being unemployed, you need to report that you have got a new job and no longer need collecting unemployment benefits. In case you don't report that, you can be accused of fraud. In such a case, you will get a call from the concerned agency asking you to explain your position. Depending on the answers you give, your name can either be cleared or you may be penalized with a fee.

Getting Fired and Collecting Unemployment
If you have voluntarily resigned from your job, you are not eligible for collecting unemployment benefits. However, if you are fired, for failing to meet set standards, judgmental errors and lack of skills, you can still claim for such a benefit in most of the states. However, in case you are fired due to misconduct, you are not eligible to receive benefits. It is considered a serious and deliberate offense if you are terminated due to misconduct.

Collecting Unemployment While in School
In most of the states, the rules state that it is possible to collect unemployment if you are going to school. In the past you had to give up your monthly unemployment checks if you wanted to go to school after a lay-off. But today, you are eligible to collect your monthly checks and at the same time go to schools to enhance your skills so that when the economy starts stabilizing and organizations start creating jobs, you can be ready with your new skills.

Collecting unemployment is an excellent option which you can think of availing, if you are badly in need of money. Make sure you go through the official websites of your respective state so that you know the detailed rules and regulations.