The threat of unemployment may be haunting Americans once more as crypto craters and tech layoffs surface. For the past few months, the unemployment rate has remained at 3.6 percent, its lowest level since the COVID-19 epidemic.
Despite this small percentage figure, for the week ended June 25, there were 231,000 weekly new unemployment claims and 1,328,000 continued claims, or repeated claims for unemployment benefits after an initial claim. Counting a lot of people.
Rising gas and groceries prices and increasing debt due to rising interest rates make losing a job more difficult, so it's good to know what to do in the event you are laid off. Learn how to receive unemployment insurance, how to apply for unemployment benefits, and how much money you may receive if you qualify for unemployment compensation.
What is unemployment insurance?
If you lose your job, unemployment insurance can help you stay afloat until you find a new job. Payments can be made in the form of weekly checks, direct deposits, or state-issued debit cards.
Who is eligible for unemployment insurance?
The eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance vary from state to state, and youll need to contact your state's unemployment insurance agency to verify your eligibility. Here are phone numbers and websites for state unemployment insurance offices.
According to the National Academy of Social Insurance, all states require claimants for unemployment insurance to earn a minimum amount of wages or months worked over a base period of time.
The current unemployment rate is substantially lower than it was in 2010 and 2020.
If you lost your job for no fault of your own and have a 12-month work history or greater, you should qualify for at least some form of unemployment compensation. If you were dismissed for misconduct, youre in luck. If you were dismissed for other reasons, your eligibility will depend on many factors, including the state you live in.
The federal CARES Act, passed in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, extended employment benefits to gig workers and self-employed individuals, but those provisions expired in September 2021.
What are the rates of unemployment benefits?
Since your weekly unemployment insurance payment will depend heavily on the state where you live, statistics for average unemployment insurance payments aren't worth much. For example, Washington has a $929 maximum weekly unemployment insurance payment, Massachusetts goes even further with a $974 maximum weekly unemployment insurance payment.
Mississippi has a maximum weekly benefit of $235, while Arizona's maximum is $240. States have their own methods for calculating unemployment compensation, and usually explain them in detail on their unemployment websites.
Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, unemployment insurance payments are taxed by the federal government and you must report any unemployment earnings you receive when you file your yearly tax return. The IRS excluded $10,200 in unemployment benefits for the tax year 2020.
To avoid a tax surprise, you may demand 10% of your unemployment benefits be withheld from your paychecks, according to the IRS.
When should I apply for unemployment benefits?
Instantly. Look up your state's unemployment website and learn what you need to do in order to apply.
Several states require that you wait weeks or a one-week absence without pay for your unemployment benefit payments to start.
What steps do I need to take to receive unemployment benefits?
Each state has its own set of guidelines for deciding who is eligible for unemployment benefits and how to apply. State requirements may vary depending on new legislation, so the best place to start is always the website of your state's labor department, which may also be called a workforce or employment department.
CareerOneStop, a career education website sponsored by the US Department of Labor, has a job benefit calculator for all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Use the link from the list below to apply for unemployment or your own state to submit an application:
How soon will I begin receiving unemployment benefits?
If youve been recognized but your state, the Department of Labor recommends that you wait two to three weeks after filing an initial unemployment claim to begin receiving your unemployment benefits.
The initial increase in unemployment at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic slowed down the processing of claims enormously, but recent low unemployment rates have made it simpler for states to keep up.
How long can I wait to receive unemployment benefits?
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, most states in the United States provide unemployment benefits for 26 weeks or half a year. Massachusetts (30 weeks) and Montana (28 weeks) provide slightly more time.
Eight other states have unemployment benefits that are less than 26 weeks long:
The Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 provides up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefit to states with high employment levels.
However, no states are experiencing the same level of unemployment as currently. In September 2021, extended federal unemployment benefits under the CARES Act expired, allowing for self-employed people to keep their jobs.
Learn more about which states are providing inflation relief to residents, as well as seven timely steps to take following a loss of a job.
