I was laid off from my job and am wondering whether I can receive unemployment benefits. How do I sign up for them?
To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must be out of work through no fault of your own and be actively looking for a job. File for benefits as soon as you lose your job so you don't miss out on any money.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Life After a Layoff |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | Keeping Health Coverage After a Job Loss |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | What Happens if Your Employer Goes Broke |
The size of your weekly benefit varies depending on the state and your previous income (the higher your income, the higher your benefit). In Maryland, for example, the weekly benefit ranges from $25 to $380. You apply for benefits in the state where you worked, even if you live in another state.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If you qualify, you normally receive your first check within three weeks of applying. But these are not normal times. More than 4.8 million people were collecting unemployment benefits in mid January, the highest number since the Department of Labor started keeping track of these figures in 1967.
State unemployment offices have been inundated with requests for payments, and it can be difficult to get through on the phone. Pennsylvania, for example, expanded its unemployment office's call-center hours (it now accepts calls on Sunday) and recommends calling on certain days based on your Social Security number. (Some state unemployment offices are adding staff -- making them great places to find work in this economy.)
To speed up the process, most states recommend that people file online rather than over the phone or in person. Use this unemployment benefits map for links to your state agency and its online claim form. Your state's unemployment-benefits Web page will also provide details on how to apply for benefits, how to file an appeal and what you need to do to maintain your eligibility.
Keep in mind that unemployment benefits are currently taxable, but taxes are not automatically withheld. You can elect to have taxes withheld from your checks, or you can set aside extra money so you aren't surprised by the tax bill later. And keep an eye on your state's unemployment-benefits Web site for updates -- several provisions in the federal stimulus bill could affect the length, terms and taxability of unemployment benefits.
-
Credit Report Error? They All Mattercredit & debt Don't dismiss a minor error. It could be the sign of something more serious.
-
Insurance for a Learning Driverinsurance Adding a teen driver to your plan will raise premiums, but there are things you can do to help reduce them.
-
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids529 Plans You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
-
When to Transfer Ownership of a Custodial Accountsavings Before your child turns 18, you should check with your broker about the account's age of majority and termination.
-
Borrowers Get More Time to Repay 401(k) Loans
retirement If you leave your job while you have an outstanding 401(k) loan, Uncle Sam now gives you extra time to repay it -- thanks to the new tax law.
-
When It Pays to Buy Travel Insurance
Travel Investing in travel insurance can help recover some costs when your vacation gets ruined by a natural disaster, medical emergency or other catastrophe.
-
What Travel Insurance Covers When Planes Are Grounded
Travel Your travel insurance might help with some costs if your trip was delayed because of the recent grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes.
-
Ways to Spend Your Flexible Spending Account Money by March 15 Deadline
spending Many workers will be hitting the drugstore in the next few days to use up leftover flexible spending account money from 2018 so they don’t lose it.
