Government Benefits for the Unemployed

When you are suddenly unemployed, whether due to lay-offs, firing, quitting, or other circumstances, the stress level can be quite high, and you may not feel well equipped to take on the task of filing for unemployment and seeking out other government benefits for the unemployed. Nevertheless, Americans are facing unusually high unemployment rates in recent months, and so more and more people are seeking out information on how to make ends meet as they search for a new job. The federal government oversees the unemployment benefits program, but requires each state to administer the program at a state level. This means that the application process and eligibility based on past earning history may vary slightly from state to state. Learn about how to file for unemployment and what other government benefits for the unemployed might be available to you.

How to File for Unemployment


The first step to filing for unemployment is to determine your eligibility. The U.S. Department or Labor website maintains a page dedicated to detailing eligibility basics for filing for unemployment if you are laid off, and additional information about how to determine if you are eligible for benefits if your job loss comes from a reason other than a lay-off. For basic purposes, as long as you can meet your state's requirements for eligibility for unemployment due to a lay-off, which are based on prior wage history over a "base period" of time. You will need to contact your state's Workforce Commission office to determine eligibility in your state.

Next, you will need to provide more information which often includes your full name, social security number, prior work and pay history, contact information for your previous employer including their tax ID number, driver's license number if applicable, and mother's maiden name. You may also be asked for additional information. As part of receiving unemployment benefits, you will also need to register with your state's Workforce Commission and show weekly proof of job search activities during the entire period you are receiving unemployment. If you need to make a claim of eligibility, your state's Workforce Commission office can also assist with the steps to take.

Other Government Benefits for the Unemployed


Depending on your monthly household income, you may also be eligible for other government-sponsored benefits for the unemployed such as food stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and state-sponsored assistance for low-income families. At this time, President Obama has authorized an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits, and then another seven weeks on top of that. In states with an unemployment rate that exceeds six percent, individuals who are unemployed are also eligible for an additional 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Otherwise, the standard time period during which a worker can receive unemployment benefits is 26 total weeks. The government sometimes extends these benefits in periods of high unemployment, but the challenge with some workers is that there are no unemployment benefits for self-employed workers who fall on hard times. Here, the best option is to contact local non-profit agencies that may have other funding to offer.