Am I Eligible For Unemployment Benefits?

One of the first things you should do after becoming unemployed is submit your application for unemployment benefits.  There can be a delay of a few weeks from submitting your application to receiving your first payment, so get on it right away.

The quickest and most efficient way to apply is via the internet. Some states do offer other methods of applying such as by phone or in person, but these are too time consuming.  There are a number of websites out there that offer to assist you in applying for unemployment benefits for a fee.  DO NOT USE THEM! Applying for unemployment is really quite simple if you follow the rules as posted on your state's website.  Here are some basic eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits:

• Previous work and earnings: you must have worked and been paid wages in at least two calendar quarters in your base period (generally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to your claim).  Each state has a minimum amount that you must have earned during your base period.

• Circumstances of employment termination: in general, you will only be eligible for unemployment benefits if you lost your job through no fault of your own.

• Seeking work: you must be ready, willing, and able to work, and actively seeking work.  Some states may require you to keep a log of your job searching efforts or to attend workshops related to finding employment.

• Authorized to work in the United States: you do not have to be a US Citizen to claim unemployment, but you must be authorized to work in the US.  Illegal immigrants are out of luck.

The eligibility rules do vary by state so I have prepared a table with links to the Frequently Asked Questions on each state's unemployment office website.  I have also included the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount payable by each state:

State (click to go to state website Frequently Asked Questions)	Gross Maximum Weekly Benefit  (assuming no dependents)
Alabama	$255
Alaska	$370
Arizona	$240
Arkansas	$409
California	$450
Colorado	$487
Connecticut	$519
Delaware	$330
District of Columbia	$359
Florida	$275
Georgia	$330
Hawaii	$545
Idaho	$362
Illinois	$385
Indiana	$390
Iowa	$374
Kansas	$423
Kentucky	$415
Louisiana	$258
Maine	$356
Maryland	$410
Massachusetts	$629
Michigan	$387
Minnesota	$585
Mississippi	$235
Missouri	$320
Montana	$407
Nebraska	$308
Nevada	$362
New Hampshire	$427
New Jersey	$584
New Mexico	$455
New York	$405
North Carolina	$505
North Dakota	$431
Ohio	$372
Oklahoma	$392
Oregon	$507
Pennsylvania	$547
Rhode Island	$528
South Carolina	$326
South Dakota	$285
Tennessee	$275
Texas	$392
Utah	$444
Vermont	$450
Virginia	$378
Washington	$611
West Virginia	$424
Wisconsin	$363
Wyoming	$438