How to Apply for an Unemployment Claim Online

U.S. citizens who become unemployed are eligible to apply for an unemployment claim. An unemployment claim is usually a request for cash benefits to see the individual survive through the unemployment period.

An unemployment claim is not as straightforward as imagined. It is not simply telling the government, "Hey Uncle Sam, I've lost my job", and the check start flowing. Filing for an unemployment claim follows a set of procedures.

1. Access the Application Website

Unemployment claim applications are accessed on the U.S. Department of Labor website. The website has eligibility requirements for the applicants where they can see if they qualify for unemployment insurance. One has to select their state of residence as unemployment is usually handled at the state level.

After selecting one's state, the individual opens the apply for benefits link and proceeds to file a claim. The page will list the things applicants should ensure they fill correctly for their claims to be processed smoothly. The filing process starts after clicking the file for an unemployment insurance claim at the bottom of the page.

New applicants have to create an account before proceeding to apply for a claim. Creating an account entails filling in personal information.

2. Apply for an Unemployment Claim

After successfully creating an account, a user can proceed to file an unemployment claim on the website. The first step is keying in one's personal information, employment, occupation, income, and training. Moreover, one must provide information such as previous work, start and end date, days and hours worked, the duties, the name of the employer, and the reason for leaving the job.

The information on employment history will determine the amount on the check received. After providing all this information, the applicant checks the box for agreeing to the terms and conditions before proceeding.

3. Additional Requirements Dependent on the State

As aforementioned, unemployment is a state responsibility. Thus, different states may have additional requirements for the applicants. For instance, Illinois requires one to upload their resume after submitting their employment details. The state also has a website like LinkedIn, where unemployment claim applicants need to fill in their resume details and upload them there.

4. Follow Up After Application

After submitting the unemployment claim, the state's unemployment department may call for more details. Additionally, one's previous employer may contest an unemployment claim. Such a case will also prompt a call from the state department for clarification. Applicants must confirm the information they have provided is correct.

Once all information is clear, applicants may start receiving unemployment checks. Inputting one's bank information is advantageous as you may receive the insurance faster through bank deposits. Alternatively, the checks will be sent to applicants through the mail.

5. On-Going Requirement to Keep Receiving the Checks

The first application is not adequate to keep receiving the unemployment checks. Beneficiaries of the unemployment claim will have to fill out questionnaires every other week. In it, they will provide information on whether one has been applying to places of work, been to school, or has refused any job offers.

Each beneficiary will have a day to update the questionnaire, for instance, on a day every other week. To keep track of where one has been sending job applications, it is wise to have an excel sheet with the company's name, the position applied, and if you were called for an interview or a job offer.

Hope this article helps to navigate how to file for unemployment and start collecting your employment checks!

If you would prefer to see the step-by-step instructions in a video format, please watch the video below.