ABA Family Legal Guide

Law and the Workplace

Leaving a Job

Unemployment Insurance

How does a worker apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits?

Employees file claims for UI benefits at their local state unemployment office. The claim should be filed as soon as possible after unemployment begins, since benefits will not be paid until all the paperwork is processed and eligibility for benefits is verified.

Employees should take the following documents with them to the unemployment office to help verify their eligibility: Social Security card, recent pay stubs, and any documentation relating to the reason for the job loss.

After filing the initial claim, employees are usually required to report on a regular basis to the unemployment office to verify their continued eligibility for benefits. Failure to report when required can result in a loss of benefits.