Can You Draw Unemployment if Your Position Was Terminated?
Unemployment benefits help those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. State laws vary, but even if an employer fires you, or you quit, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits if certain conditions are met. If your position was eliminated, you are usually eligible for unemployment benefits. You must continue to meet other state requirements to remain eligible for unemployment, however. State unemployment laws require job seekers to look for work and report any income while unemployed, for example.
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Laid Off
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If you were laid off from your job because your employer downsized, you are eligible for unemployment benefits. You did not choose to leave the job on your own, and you were not fired from the job for an inappropriate action on your part.
Filing a Claim
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The first step to receiving unemployment when your position is eliminated is to fill out your state’s unemployment benefits application. Your state’s unemployment office then determines whether you are eligible for benefits. You must have been working the minimum amount of time set forth by your state before being laid off to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
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Maintaining Eligibility
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You must be mentally and physically capable of working to be eligible for unemployment payments. To receive your benefits each week, you must demonstrate that you are actively looking for a job. Each state has its own documentation requirements and minimum number of jobs you must look for each week. If you get a job offer within a reasonable distance from your home that pays an amount reasonable to the work and is a job you can do, you must be willing to accept it to receive unemployment benefits. If you have been laid off temporarily, you typically do not have to actively seek work.
Length of Benefits
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Unemployment benefits typically only last 26 weeks. Some states offer 13 to 20 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for those in certain situations. Contact your state’s workforce department to learn about retraining programs for those who have been laid off if you want to work in a new field.
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