Unemployment Benefits

Get well informed about the employment related benefits that you may be eligible for when you resign, get fired or get laid-off from your job. These include:

• Giving notice
• Retirement plans
• Workers compensation
• Disability

It is recommended that you request an individual benefits statement on the status of your own pension by writing to the pension plan administrator. This will help you to avoid losing track of your benefits or having research them years later, when it could be much more difficult.

It's important to request your statement in writing from the plan administrator, whose name you should find in SPD, not from a company official. A lot of administrators are outrageously inattentive to requests for information. On your part, you should reinforce your legal claim to the information within 30 days.

The information you should exclusively request includes the status of your pension, eligibility for retirement and an estimate of your pension amount. Also ask for copies of all pension-plan documents, including the trust documents, showing how it is administered and copies of all benefits statements in your life. Send the written request in a certified, first-class letter reminding the plan administrator that the Labor Department can fine the plan $100 per day if the administrator doesn't respond within 30 days.

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees

Purpose

The program of the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees provides benefits for the eligible unemployed former civilian Federal employees and it is administered by States as agents of Federal government. This program is operated under the same terms and conditions that apply to regular State Unemployment Insurance. Generally, the law of State in which your last official duty station in Federal civilian service was located will be the State law that determines eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.

Various Federal agencies will be paying you your benefits. There is no payroll deduction from a Federal employee's wages for unemployment insurance protection.

Benefits

The law of the State, under which the claim is filed, determines benefits amounts, number of weeks benefits can be paid and other eligibility conditions.

Filing a Claim

You should contact your State Unemployment Insurance Agency as soon as possible after being unemployed. In some States, you can now file a claim by telephone or internet.

Unemployment Compensations

Usually, the compensation will be half your earnings up to the maximum amount, if you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be entitled to receive temporary compensation. For example, in New York State you're entitled to collect up to maximum of $405, which is half the state's average weekly wage. In Arizona, the highest benefit rate is $205.

You check is taxable because the Internal Revenue Services counts unemployment insurance benefits as income. Depending on the state, state and federal income tax can be withheld from your check.

When to File for Unemployment

The first thing you should do when you have been laid off is filing for unemployment. The sooner you file your claim, the faster you'll get paid. A delay is filing will mean a delay in collecting unemployment benefits.

How to File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits

For directions on how to file for unemployment compensation, get in touch with your State Unemployment Office or State Department of Labor Office. You can also file over a phone, also in some States, you can fill it online. To file a claim you will need:

• Social Security Number
• Alien registration Card if you're not a US citizen but have been working there.
• Phone number and the mailing address including zip code
• Name, addresses and the date of employment of all your past employers for the last 2 years.

Disqualification

The following circumstances may disqualify you from collecting unemployment benefits:

• Quitting without good cause
• Fired for misconduct
• Resigned because of illness (disability benefits may apply)
• Quit to get married
• Self-employed
• Invovled in a labor dispute
• Attending School

When You Quit

Can you collect unemployment benefits if you quit your job? It depends on certain cases. In most cases, you are not eligible if you voluntarily left employment. If you left for a good cause, you may be able to collect it. Good cause is determined by the State Unemployment Office and you will be able to make case for why you are eligible for benefits. If your claim is denied, you should be entitled to a hearing where you can plead your case.

State Job Service Offices

Registering with the State job service and actively seeking work is a requirement while collecting unemployment. You must be ready, willing, available and able to work. The Job Service may require job seekers to apply for jobs, submit resumes and not turn down a position if it meets certain standards.

You will be provided excellent resources to assist with a job search. Also free services are offered, including job listing, career counseling, resume and cover letter writing help and training. Take advantage of the help they can give you, it will make your job search easier.