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How to Apply for Unemployment. The bad news is you've lost your job. The good news is
you might be eligible to collect unemployment benefits. You will need Eligibility for unemployment
benefits and a claim to file. Step 1. Find your state unemployment insurance benefits
office. Just enter the name of your state along with "unemployment insurance" into a
search engine. Step 2. See if you're eligible to file a claim. Rules vary from state to
state, but basically you cannot have quit your job or been fired for cause. How long
you were employed, how many hours you worked per week, how much you earned, and your basic
work history are also taken into account. Step 3. Apply for benefits per the site's
instructions. These days, you can register online. Be sure to have your social security
number handy, as well as your former employer's address and phone number. If you are collecting
Social Security or a pension, that may reduce your unemployment payments. Step 4. If you
are deemed eligible to collect unemployment and begin receiving checks, make sure you
preserve your eligibility by following your state's rules. Generally, that means that
you must report any money you earn on the side, you must be actively seeking full-time
employment, and you cannot turn down a "suitable" job offer. If you are denied benefits, you
may file an appeal. Step 5. If you're curious about how much money you're entitled to in
weekly benefits payments, go to the Economic Policy Institute's weekly benefit amount calculator
at "www.epi.org":http://. Step 6. Get a job before those checks stop coming in, which
is usually after 26 weeks. Did you know Fewer than half of the people out of work at any
given time seek unemployment benefits -- many think they're not eligible or are intimidated
by the process.