How to File for Unemployment in Illinois

File for unemployment benefits immediately if you are laid off.

When you lose your job, begin to file for unemployment benefits immediately. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed -- unemployment benefits are generated by an insurance program that is funded by your employers to help you when times grow lean. Filing for unemployment benefits in Illinois is not difficult, but keep in mind that you will automatically qualify only if you leave your job involuntarily and were not fired for cause. If you quit voluntarily or are fired for a reason, you may not qualify, or you may have to jump through some extra hoops in order to qualify.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet.

1. Go directly to the Illinois Department of Employment Security website to file. Find a link in the References section. This way, you can avoid crowded waiting lines or holding over the phone. Also, you will have all the paperwork readily available, which can save you from making unnecessary trips back to their office.

2. Once you have set up an account through the online system, the website will lead you through a series of questions regarding your unemployment status, including the length of time you were employed and a listing of all your previous employers. Be honest with all the information you give out or you could be penalized. If you had more than one employer during the course of two years, that earned income will be counted in the benefit amount the Illinois Department of Employment Security will grant you.

3. You will receive a confirmation letter/ wage earning information sheet in the mail. If you do not receive anything within two weeks, immediately call the department at 800-244-5631 to check the status of your unemployment application. Upon receiving your letter, you will be asked to certify your claim within the times and date they give you. Remember to jot this date down, for if you forget to certify on that date, your employment benefits will not be processed and you will have to wait until the following week or so to certify.

4. Once you certify on the date given to you, you will receive an Illinois Department of Employment Security debit card. You have the option of either using the debit card once the funds are in and once you have activated the card, or registering with direct deposit. You can sign up with direct deposit once you have your account online. You MUST certify that you are still unemployed and are looking for work every two weeks online, by phone, or by visiting your local office in order to keep receiving unemployment benefits.

5. Within three to eight days, your funds should be released through the Illinois Department of Employment Security. If you have any questions regarding your account or money allotted, call your local unemployment agency.

6. You can still look for work while under unemployment and you can still receive any severance pay without being penalized. You will be allotted 26 weeks or more in unemployment benefits. You also may be eligible for extensions depending on current economic conditions in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• You can file for Illinois unemployment anytime. However, it is highly suggested that you file ASAP when you get the word that you've had a job loss.

• Do not voluntarily quit your job in order to receive unemployment. For one, you will only be receiving 50% of your monthly income from unemployment. This is unemployment insurance and not necessarily a way for you to live off of these funds for a long time. Secondly, if you do quit or get fired from your job, you will be more at a challenge in trying to receive unemployment benefits. It is much harder to receive unemployment if it is not due to job loss or lack of work.

References

• Illinois Department of Employment Security: File for Unemployment Insurance