Depending on the state in which you live, you may be eligible to receive full compensation through unemployment insurance (UI). However, in each of the 51 states (including Washington), there is a specific set of criteria that must be met before you can submit a UI claim. Although each state will have a variation of these requirements, there is some general information that you will need to know regarding the application process for UI benefits.

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

As long as you are completely or partially unemployed due to no fault of your own, you are considered eligible for UI benefits in all 51 states. However, each state will have specific criteria regarding monetary eligibility. For instance, a standard base period of 12 months (or four quarters) will be used to determine whether you have earned enough wages to qualify for UI benefits. In some cases, an alternate base period will be used to ensure that you have earned enough in wages to submit a UI claim. The only difference between the two periods will be the months in which you earned wages.

What is the Work Search Requirement?

Depending on where you live in the United States, you may be required to provide a record of your work search as part of the application process for UI benefits. Although the step of providing proof of your work search is optional in some states, the work search requirement has been officially implemented in all 51 states as part of the application process. For this reason, you will need to be prepared to prove that you are searching for employment opportunities before and while receiving UI benefits.

How Long is the Waiting Period?

After your application has been processed, there is a condition that states you will not be able to receive your benefits until a one-week mandatory waiting period has been served. During this period, you will not receive a payment of UI benefits, and you will also not be permitted to work. Although this condition does not apply in all 51 states, it is applicable in most parts of the country.

What About the Application Process?

There are a few steps that you may be required to take as part of the application process for UI benefits. For instance, you may need to participate in a reemployment eligibility assessment (REA) or reemployment service program (RES) depending on the state in which you reside. As part of this condition, you may need to attend an initial interview, assess and evaluate your current job skills, and meet with a career counselor to help you find ways to improve your employability.

What Do You Need to File a Claim?

The most important part of filing a UI claim is ensuring that you have all of the necessary information and supporting documents to complete the application. In specific, you will need your Social Security Number (SSN), current address and contact information, and the details of your employment history from the last 18 months. These pieces of information are mandatory no matter what state you are applying from. Additional details that you may be required to provide include the names and ages of any dependents, as this information can affect how much you may be eligible to receive in UI benefits.