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Step 1
Sit down at a computer with an Internet connection. Next look up your state's unemployment office by preforming a basic Internet search. Search for "file unemployment benefits" and your state. The search will turn up a link to your state's Employment Development Department (or its equivalent). From there you should be presented with choices for unemployed workers that indicate "File Claim." Click the link.
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Step 2
Fill out the unemployment form online. Before you begin filling out the form, make sure that you have written the answers to the following: your name, social security account number, mailing and residence addresses (if different), telephone number, your last employer information (regardless of the length of time you worked for the employer) and information on all employers you worked for during the 18 months prior to submitting your applications and filling your claim, including name, period of employment, wages earned and how you were paid. You will also need to know your last date worked and the reason you are no longer working, gross earnings in the last week you worked, driver's license or ID card number and citizenship status (which may include your alien registration number).
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Step 3
Understand that you may need to return to your pay stub for your last week of employment to ascertain your wages earned, how you were paid and your gross earnings in the last week you worked.
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Step 4
You should also decide whether you want taxes withheld from your unemployment check. If you expect to be employed soon you may want to go ahead and do this, but if you expect to be unemployed for a fairly long time you may be better off being taxed on the money later.
