Are you ready to apply for unemployment? If so, know the facts. First, employment is a state benefit, not federal, and therefore the qualifications and benefits vary widely from state to state.
In many states (but not all) you can file over the internet, however, before you do, be sure you are filing correctly or you may receive a denial of claims.
First, you will likely need the following when you apply for unemployment:
- Dates you started and ended employment for the last two years - Income earned. Note in many states certain professions are not eligible, i.e. outside real estate agents for example.
- Exact name and address and phone of your previous employer - Federal Employer ID number (aka "EIN") as found on your paystub or W-2
- Mailing address, phone number
- Social Security number and Driver's License number (assuming you have one)
- Mother's maiden name for security access
- If military, your separation date. Whether you are eligible depends on several factors.
Generally, unemployment is awarded to those who became unemployed through no fault of their own, however, there are many exceptions. If you were fired or quit, you may still be eligible for unemployment benefits, depending on the nature of your dismissal. Such reasons for coverage in event of being fired, include missing work to prevent domestic abuse of minors, or loss of transportation when no suitable alternative exists (e.g. the bus), etc.
The maximum award is factored on your previous income. Generally, this can be up to about $16,000 as of 2008. To qualify, you must have worked (meaning cannot have been a student, or retired or otherwise not working).
You must be physically and mentally able to work. If you have doctor's orders that you cannot work, do not apply for unemployment but instead look into social security or other agency assistance.
Once you apply for unemployment, it typically takes 2-3 weeks to receive your first check, assuming you are awarded unemployment benefits.
We have a collection of secrets, strategies, and common mistakes you can avoid to help you get maximum unemployment benefits when you apply for unemployment. First, review your separation package. You could be owed money from a severance package.
In addition, many larger employers have "outplacement", in which they'll actively help you find new employment as a means to save them some money paying unemployment.
Your severance package will also usually cover extension of key services your previous employer may have provided, such as health insurance, and how to roll over a 401k, 403b or other corporate retirement package.
One other crucial common mistake people make is letting the emotions of their severance block making the correct and best moves for the moment. One of the single most important moves to do as you apply for unemployment is to maintain social contact with your previous co-workers, as they can help you find a new position and provide a work reference.
We recommend not withdrawing from these contacts out of anger or shame, but instead, actively work to keep key relationships alive and working to help you find new placement.
If you've found these tips helpful, be sure to check out the full 9-step unemployment system at http://www.Unemployment.ME It includes tips, tricks, and avoidable mistakes to help you apply for unemployment and get maximum award amounts, but also free info on unemployment grants, and a member's-only 9-step system to raise cash, secrets to finding and interviewing and negotiating an even higher salary than before, and much more.
About the Author
Tom Vecchio has helped thousands of people file for unemployment. He researches unemployment benefits compensation denials and strategies and claims. Learn more at http://Unemployment.
Confronting The New Financial Reality by Clara Peterson
Despite the fact that the federal government has now made it official that we are in a recession, anybody who has even the slightest interest in their financial situation has realized this for a long time now. Using the formal determination of recession as a decline in economic growth over a set period of time, we have in fact seen a decline for the past year. However, the realities are that the roots of this recession go back much longer.
Within the last year we've seen several major and high profile occurrences. The subprime mortgage meltdown, the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, the failure of insurance giant AIG, and now the threatened bankruptcy of the three biggest automotive manufacturers in the United States combined to create an obvious financial firestorm. The media of course, by adding their hype and hyperbole to the occurrences, simply add fuel to the fire.
The tendency is to take the media reports with a grain of salt because of their inclination to over inflate situations, but doing so in this circumstance is a grave mistake. The financial problems that we now face are real and affecting everybody. To ignore them, to write them off as media excess, or to think that they do not affect you personally is a huge and critical error.
The financial problems extend to all aspects of your personal financial situation. Your income is at risk if you work for any company or any person other than yourself. Even if you work for yourself, if you are involved in real estate, mortgage banking, construction--in fact any profession related to building or real estate--your job is in obvious jeopardy. Every day, reports circulate of large, seemingly secure companies, laying off thousands and thousands of workers in all sectors of our job market. In fact unemployment has reached its highest level--almost 7%--in the past 14 years.
Beyond your basic income however, you also need to be concerned about your wealth. How your personal net worth is allocated in terms of assets, where they are being held, and the composition of your portfolio are all critical aspects of your ability to retain that wealth. You should conduct an in-depth personal review of your finances to determine where your weaknesses are, as well as a plan to shore them up.
The president-elect is discussing the implementation of a financial incentive package worth several hundred billion dollars in value, which will also include tax provisions, and incentives to kickstart the domestic economy. That's all well and good, but it may not be enough. Evaluate your personal situation closely, and take steps to ensure your secure financial future.
About the Author
Clara Peterson and her team have helped entrepreneurs build online empires. She shares powerful tips, ideas and secrets about achieving success and building massive wealth as she and her team assist store owners, lawyers, nurses and teachers build multiple 6 figure incomes from the comfort of their homes. For more info and to contact Clara, visit: http://topccpro.com/WealthManagementAndInvestments
