• State and federal laws determine the eligibility of workers who apply for unemployment insurance.Hand and document at the meeting image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.com
  
  Unemployment benefits are given to provide financial assistance temporarily to workers who have lost their jobs. Each state has its own unemployment insurance program that is administered according to established federal law guidelines. If you become unemployed, you should file a claim with your State Unemployment Insurance Agency office as soon as possible, by telephone or through the Internet. They will determine your unemployment eligibility as well as your benefit amount and the duration of the benefit payments.
  
  

Unemployment Eligibility

• After you file your claim for unemployment benefits, your eligibility will be determined by the laws for unemployment insurance in your state. The criteria will include the amount of wages you earned and/or the length of time you worked prior to becoming unemployed. The laws for employment eligibility also stipulate that you cannot be the cause of the termination of your employment, and that you have to be available for work and actively seeking employment. You may be required to register with your state employment office for assistance in searching for another job or obtaining training that will make you more marketable for future employment.
  
  

Unemployment Continuation Eligibility

• Once you begin receiving unemployment benefits, you will have to prove your eligibility to continue getting them. You will have to file a claim weekly or biweekly and provide answers to questions that will determine your unemployment eligibility. If you earned any income during the claim period, you must report the amount, as well as any job offers or if you refused any offers to work. Depending on your state, filing for weekly or biweekly claims can be done through the mail, over the telephone or online. The Unemployment Insurance Claims Office can require that you report to them for an interview at any time while you are receiving unemployment benefits, as can the Employment Service Office. Failure to show up for your scheduled interview could result in your benefits being denied.
  
  

Disqualification from Unemployment Eligibility

• Just because a person has lost a job does not automatically qualify him to receive unemployment benefits. The laws for unemployment insurance state that you can't be let go from your job due to misconduct at work, and you can't have left your job voluntarily without having a good cause. If the reason you became unemployed is any reason other than there being a lack of work, your eligibility will be determined according the laws of your state as well as federal laws that are applicable to your situation. You may become disqualified if you are not available to work or if you are unable to work. People who are denied or disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits have the right to appeal the decision, as do employers that disagree with the determination for benefits made by your state.