An unemployment claim is a formal application to receive cash benefits following the loss of a job through no fault of their own. This can include layoffs, job loss due to natural disasters, and other similar situations.

The money for unemployment is paid by states using money collected from employers. An employee’s state may fund half of their benefits, with the other half funded by the federal government.

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must meet eligibility requirements, including providing proof of earnings in the recent past, such as pay stubs. The length of unemployment benefits depends on the state and the employee’s past earnings. Generally, employees can receive up to nine months of benefits. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided additional benefits. This extended benefits to up to 26 weeks of pay.

In order to receive unemployment benefits, employees must file regular claims with their state’s unemployment office. This includes biweekly or weekly certification processes. Benefits are typically provided within two to three weeks of filing a claim.

Unfortunately, the additional benefit supplements offered by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic expired on Sept. 5, 2021, depending on the state. This has left many individuals with fewer options for financial support during an already difficult time.

Nonetheless, many states continue to provide their own supplemental unemployment programs and other resources for individuals who have been laid off or found themselves without work through no fault of their own. It is important for those in need of assistance to use all of the tools available, including unemployment benefits, to make ends meet.