How Long Will Unemployment Pay?

Unemployment benefits are paid to unemployed workers across the country by either the federal government or the state governments. Workers must be unemployed at the time they file their application. Workers must have been laid off from their job instead of fired to be eligible for benefits. Workers must also file a weekly claim with their state unemployment agency to continue to obtain their benefits. Unemployment payments are based on a percentage of the worker’s earnings over a 52-week period up to a state maximum amount. In the majority of states across the country, benefits will be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks. The period can be extended in times of high unemployment for an additional 13 weeks.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Before a worker should even worry about how long they will receive unemployment benefits, they should determine whether or not they are even eligible for unemployment benefits from the state or from the federal government. The nonmonetary requirements that must be met for an applicant to receive unemployment benefits include the following:

• The applicant must be unemployed at the time of their application being filed.
• The applicant must be mentally and physically able to work if a job becomes available.
• The applicant must be suitable for work.
• The applicant must be making a conscious effort to find a new job.
• The applicant must register with the Department for Employment Services.
• The applicant must claim benefits for each week not worked.

Step 2: File Application

The next step in the application process for obtaining unemployment benefits is to file the application with the state unemployment agency. This can be done on the Internet, over the phone, or in person at the state unemployment agency. When filing for unemployment benefits the applicant should consult an unemployment attorney to make sure they are following all of the required steps and filling out all of the required paperwork.

Step 3: Determine Length

After the application has been filed with the state unemployment agency, the applicant can then determine the length of payment. There are a handful of factors that play into how long unemployment benefits will be paid to the worker. The factors affecting the length of payment include the following:

• Whether or not the worker is searching for a new job
• How long the worker was employed prior to losing his or her job
• How much money the worker made prior to losing his or her job
• Whether or not the worker has attended required meetings with unemployment agency professionals

Step 4: Stopping Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits will cease to be sent to the worker if he or she fails to search for a new job while receiving benefits. Unemployment benefits are paid to workers without jobs on the premise that while receiving the benefits they will make a concerted effort to find a new job. Unemployment benefits are temporary help provided by the federal and state governments of the United States to aid workers without jobs pay their bills while they get back on their feet. Benefits will last as long as 26 weeks but can be extended during high unemployment periods for an additional 13 weeks.

Step 5: Reapply for Unemployment Benefits

When unemployment benefits cease, the worker can reapply for them if he or she feels they were stopped for no good reason. Benefits are typically stopped because they have reached their limit of 26 payment weeks, the worker cannot prove that he or she has been searching for a new job, or the worker failed to appear at scheduled appointments with the state unemployment agency.

Legal Help

When filing for unemployment benefits or determining how long the benefits will be paid, the worker should consult an experienced unemployment attorney for help with their case. An attorney will be able to answer any questions the worker might have, help fill out the required paperwork, and make sure that the paperwork has been filed with the state unemployment agency.

• If you need help with an unemployment problem, click here for a Free Case Review from a local Employment Lawyer. The content of this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. Always seek competent legal counsel for any legal questions.