{"id":13561,"date":"2020-12-18T07:30:36","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T13:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?p=13561"},"modified":"2025-03-24T15:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T20:28:08","slug":"how-to-claim-unemployment-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/income\/other-income\/how-to-claim-unemployment-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you claim unemployment benefits?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Figuring out how to claim unemployment benefits can be confusing and frustrating. You may have questions about eligibility and the process for claiming your benefits.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will outline the rules on unemployment benefit eligibility, and how you may qualify. We\u2019ll also cover the process on how to apply and how to file unemployment income on your taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Have other tax-related unemployment questions?<\/em><\/strong>  Be sure to visit our Unemployment Resource Center.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eligibility for unemployment benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first big question to tackle is to see if you qualify for unemployment benefits. Though the Department of Labor administers the guidelines, each state has its own separate requirements to qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are generally two requirements you\u2019ll have to meet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The state will look at whether you\u2019ve been working for a certain period of time called a \u201cbase period.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The unemployment must have happened without any fault of your own.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Contact your State Unemployment Insurance agency<\/a> to look at the other requirements and also to file an unemployment claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to file for unemployment benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Each state has its own guidelines for how to claim or file for unemployment benefits. There are also, typically, requirements you must follow to continue receiving the benefit payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The first thing to do is gather the documents you will need to file your new unemployment claim. This is because when you file a claim, your state\u2019s unemployment insurance agency will ask you for details around your former employment, such as addresses and dates. You should take the time to provide the most complete and accurate information you can, as it lessens the chances of your claim being delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Second, you should contact your State Unemployment Insurance agency<\/a> as soon as possible after you become unemployed. You don\u2019t always have to walk into an office because in some states it is now possible to file a claim by telephone or over the Internet or through online services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A general tip is that you should file your claim with the state where you worked. However, if you lived in one state but worked in another or you worked in multiple states, the unemployment insurance agency of the state where you live now can help you with information on how to file your claims with the other states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Usually, you\u2019ll get your first benefit check about two to three weeks after you\u2019ve filed your claim if you qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maintaining eligibility for your unemployment benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At this point, you\u2019ve filed your claim with your state\u2019s agency and have begun receiving benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The next step is to follow your state\u2019s procedures to continue receiving those benefits, if any. You may have to file biweekly or weekly claims after each week(s) has ended, and\/or respond to questions about your continued eligibility for unemployment benefits. If you do have to file these claims, they generally require information about specific earnings, job offers or job refusals. Generally, these claims are filed by mail or telephone. Your state will provide filing instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Finally, you must report to your local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or Career One-Stop\/Employment Service Office for any day you were scheduled to do so by the agency. If you don\u2019t attend a scheduled interview, that could cause you to lose your benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The amount of weekly benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Usually, the weekly benefit amounts are going to be based on a percentage, which varies state by state. The percentage is based on the amount of your earnings over a recent 52-week period. There is a different maximum for each state. In most states, benefits will be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to file unemployment on your taxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re wondering if unemployment is taxed<\/a>, the answer is yes. These benefits are subject to both federal and state income taxes. The amounts you receive should be reflected on your taxes on Form 1040 (technically you will \u201creport\u201d not \u201cfile\u201d unemployment on your taxes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Important tax planning notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n