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.unemployment benefits

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 as found on your paystub or W-2
- Mailing address, phone number
- Social Security number and Driver’s License number
- Mother’s maiden name for security access
- If military, your separation date.
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Take unemployment insurance for example. Unemployment insurance was set up as a safety net to provide protection for people that lose their jobs and fall on hard times. One of the conditions of receiving benefits from unemployment insurance is that you must be actively looking for a job. People may become lazy and dependant on the benefits and this may induce some people to stay unemployed but pretend that they are looking for a job. These people would, incorrectly, be included in the unemployment rate statistics, which would inflate the rate.

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.

Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law.florida unemployment