How To Apply for Unemployment Benfits

​You may not have to visit an unemployment office in person if you live in a state that allows workers to apply for unemployment benefits online or over the phone.

You may be able to file for unemployment online without having to visit an unemployment office in person if you live in a state that allows workers to apply for unemployment benefits online or over the phone. Unemployed workers in states like New York and California can now access their states’ unemployment services web sites to file a new unemployment claim, claim weekly benefits, or check on the status of an existing Unemployment.compensation claim. Many states also now offer unemployment forms online that can be printed and mailed or faxed, as well as toll free phone numbers to call to file for unemployment over the telephone.

You should file your unemployment claim with the state where you worked, even if you live in one state and work in another, or if you have recently moved. If you worked in multiple states, the unemployment office in the state where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states. The specific requirements can vary from state to state, but the basic information you will almost always need to have available when filing for unemployment includes:

    Mailing address, including zip code and phone number
    Social Security number
    Driver's License number (if you have one)
    Veteran/Military separation date
    Mother's maiden name (for security/access purposes)
    Name, address, phone number of your last employer
    Employer's Federal ID Number (from your W2 form or pay stub)
    Date started and date ended employment
    How much you earned

It is important to remember that unemployment benefits are available to any full-time workers who have been laid off or fired through no fault of their own. Employers in the U.S. are required to pay a special tax to fund the national Unemployment.compensation program and the benefits you will receive are actually a form of insurance benefits and not just a charity program from your government.

Steps to apply for unemployment benefits:

•    Apply for benefits in person, by phone or online as soon as you possibly can because it can take up to a month before you receive any benefits.

•    Gather all of the documentation you will need and make sure to have it ready when you apply to keep your claim from being delayed.

•    Be sure to re-file your claim as often as your state requires. You may have to file weekly or biweekly and report any other earnings you might have received.

•    Always continue to look for a job while collecting unemployment benefits because you may be required to show proof that you are seeking work. You do not have to accept jobs that are unsuitable or those that do not match your abilities.