Once you are laid off you need to file for unemployment as soon as possible, many states have certain days that you can apply based off the last two digits of your social security number. They also have make up days in case you miss yours, try to apply on the day they have set aside for you, but if you cannot then apply on the makeup days. Your goal is to apply on the first available day after the lay off. Do not apply before you are laid off and try not to apply on a day set for other people, this can lead to delays and that is the last thing you want. Unemployment works on a week-by-week basis, you will need to report your earnings for each week. You need to be absolutely truthful when applying and reporting earnings, failure to do so can lead to delays and even denial of unemployment, this is also something you wish to avoid.
As I am most familiar with the workings of Michigan's unemployment, which also happens to be the state with the highest unemployment rate, I am going to walk you through how it works here. I can only imagine that most states are similar if not the same but I urge you to learn as much as you can about your states process. You can do so by going to "yourstatehere".gov, you should be able to find everything you need about how your states unemployment works.
Let's say I work for Company Inc. and they are closing a few of their stores statewide. I worked my last day and I have woken up on the morning of when I need to apply for unemployment. First I collect everything I might need when applying, your last pay check, and if you haven't worked for the same company in the past 9 months the last paycheck from the company before. There are two ways to apply in Michigan, Internet and phone. I prefer Internet since everything is laid out in front of you. I go to Michigan.gov and follow the links that lead me to applying for unemployment. It will ask a bunch of questions about you and why you are applying. You want to make sure that you put something along the lines of lack of work or lay off, or even position eliminated. All of those prove that you are not working do to any fault of your own. In order to qualify for unemployment it cannot be your fault that you do not have a job, so getting fired or quitting are not acceptable. It will also ask you for your net pay in the past. That is when your last paycheck comes in handy. Enter your Gross pay year to date. Once you have completed that you will be given some stuff to print, print them all.
One will have your confirmation number; you may need that in the future. Next you need to post your resume on Michigan works website, Google search for Michigan works and follow the instructions. Once complete with that, you will need to go to the nearest Michigan works office and have them verify everything; you will not receive your unemployment check until this is done. This office is also helpful if you need Internet access and additional help with applying for unemployment. Now the wait begins.
