If you have been fired or laid off from employment due to no fault of your own, you are potentially eligible for unemployment benefits.  Filing a claim for unemployment benefits may be confusing and frustrating.

In order to be successful in filing a claim, you should choose the best course for your unemployment application.  You may apply online, over the telephone, or by person.  The estimated time to file a claim online is less than 20 minutes.  Filing online lets you create and save an account to expedite the refiling of weekly claims.  Before you begin, you should make sure you have your last employer’s information, which can usually be found on a pay stub.  You will also need to have handy your employment information, such as start and end dates and the pay rates associated with these time frames.

Knowledge is power and we greatly encourage any claimant to review and research the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Department of Employment Security website. This is the main source of your research and how to apply online.  Once on the homepage, click Individual Services, then File a Claim.  Definitely take the time to read the 10 Things You Should Know.  Number 10 will give you the most current and convenient contact information for help during the process.

Once you have gone through the process of filing a claim online you will also need to register for work at the North Carolina Job Connector.  This website has a wealth of information and has been prepared to help those who are unemployed to not only receive benefits, but also find new employment or new training courses to help promote an individual as a commodity in the ever-shrinking job sector.  After your initial claim, you will be required to file a weekly claim in order to keep your benefits coming.  You will also be required to be actively seeking employment each week.  Your case worker may request to see a written record of the potential employers you have met with during the week.  To remain eligible, you must correspond with at least two different potential employers each week or at least show proof that you are seeking gainful employment.

With our work as bankruptcy lawyers we commonly talk with people who have lost their job due to declining economy. We also have clients who have workers’ compensation claims with our office that need to file for unemployment. If you have lost your job be sure to apply for unemployment benefits and follow the required steps to ensure you continue to receive your unemployment benefits.