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Recently, not of my own choosing, I became one of the many trying to figure out how to file an unemployment claim. In the old days, you called the number the Unemployment office gave you, or went by in person. Those days are gone. Everything now days is done by computers. Every state has a different web site, so you will need to Google the web site to make sure you have the right one.
The first step is to fill out this form. IT will take you about twenty minutes. You will need to have your income tax for the last year, and have a basic idea of what your income has been over the past couple of quarters. They base your pay on the number of quarters you work, and the number of hours.

Every state gives you a chance to explain what happened on your last job. Usually, if you were let go, due to no fault of your own, you qualify. If you quit, you generally do not qualify. However if you quit due to harassment or something of that sort, the site states you qualify.
They explain to you during the process, that the first time you file a claim, your first week will not be paid. They call this the waiting week. They never give a good explanation why, but they will pay you for the second week but not the first the first time you claim weeks.
It probably depends on the state, but you will then get a letter, stating whether you qualify. It will list the weeks you can claim, and the amount you made each of the last four quarters. This is what your amount is based on. It looked like it was about 40 percent of my take home pay. That sure helps until I get another teaching job. Sometimes, they don't tell you for sure whether you qualify, but you are to go ahead and claim weeks anyway.
You can either file for your weeks over the telephone within your local unemployment office or through the web site. Here in Florida, the web site is www.fluidnow.com .
I began to keep a detailed list of jobs I was applying for, before I received my information booklet. This is the second time I have drawn unemployment, and you generally have to post two job prospects. This can be a call , a faxed or emailed resume, an application you filed, or an interview. Some people get confused, and think it has to be an actual interview. But I know we all would rather have our paycheck than 40 percent, so an interview is preferred.
You will either receive a booklet with a form for tracking job prospects, or a separate sheet. As I stated, I started keeping my own form, and this should fulfill their requirements.
Usually, your weeks of unemployment to claim run for two weeks from a Saturday until a Sunday. Claims are made the Monday following the second week. I am very pleased, because the process here in Florida is wonderful, and the dates are clearly listed on the form - both for weeks to be claimed, and the day to call in. Generally, you can receive your payment either via a direct check or by direct deposit. If you chose direct deposit, you will receive your check faster. It should be in your mail box or bank account within five days. They state that if you do not receive your check within two weeks, call the number on your form. I don't know about you, I would be calling before the two weeks were up!
Maybe this will help those filling for unemployment insurance until you receive your next dream job!

Learn more about this author, Dahloan Hembre.
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