by Natasa Shepherd

Created on: March 03, 2010

The unemployment offices are piling up with people in need of aid everywhere. And in an unfortunate case you lose your job, you definitely should apply for unemployment benefits as well as any other federal aid you might happen to be eligible for. Do not wait around to file for unemployment as this might actually complicate things and postpone the start of your benefits.

If you are in the state of Minnesota you can file either over the phone or online. To file online go to UIMN and click Apply for UI Benefits. To file over the phone call either of the following numbers, depending on your location:
Twin Cities Area 651-296-3644
Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090

When you go to apply for benefits, being prepared will save you a lot of headaches, so have as much information as possible.
What you will need to file for the unemployment benefits:
- Your name, address, phone number and email (if available)
- Your Social Security Number
- A valid Minnesota driver's license or a valid Minnesota picture ID card

- If applicable, a United States military ID card or a military dependent ID card

- If applicable, a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card

- If applicable, a Native American tribal document

- Names, addresses and contact info for the jobs worked in the past 18 months
- Dates that you started and stopped working for all your employers for the last eighteen months
- Rate of pay for the jobs you worked in the past 18 months
- Reason you separated from your job
- Your regular occupation and job skills
- Your alien registration number and expiration date if you are not a U.S. Citizen, or other proof of your work status
- If you were in the military bring your DD Form 214 as well
- If you were a Federal employee you will need to provide your SF8 and SF50 forms

The application process should last about half an hour, depending on whether you have all the information ready. The application process will NOT be complete until you certify and receive a confirmation number, so take care to have that done. The first time you file a new claim you will get a temporary PIN number, you will later create your own PIN which will be used to access your claim either online or through the automated telephone service. Of course, you should not give the PIN out to anyone.

Anyone who has become unemployed can apply for benefits, however to be eligible to receive them you need to meet certain requirements. They are usually as follows:
- You are unemployed through no fault of your own
- You have filed an initial application for Unemployment benefits
- You have performed jobs covered under the Unemployment Law
- You have earned enough wages to qualify
- You have sufficient credit weeks to qualify
- You are able to work and are available for work
- You are actively seeking employment and are willing to accept any suitable job offers

To get your unemployment benefits, once your application is approved, you will need to let them know which weeks you were unemployed during. You will do this by filing a claim for each week of unemployment. This is typically done biweekly at the above mentioned telephone number or website. You should keep this up until you either get back to your old job or find a new one.

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