What makes me qualify for unemployment

Department of Labor. A proud partner of the network. Worker ReEmployment. Home Unemployment Benefits Am I eligible? How do I apply? How do I stay eligible? What if I'm denied? What if my benefits end? Reflect, analyze, and explore Create an effective resume Online job searches Job applications Tapping your network Online professional networking Employment agencies and recruiters Informational interviews Job interviews American Job Centers Tips for UI beneficiaries.

Am I eligible? Print Email Babel. Tell us where to send a link to this page. The state unemployment office will typically send you a letter that will list the date and time of your hearing. These hearings are generally conducted over the phone. Eligibility Guidelines Vary. Unemployment programs are administered by the state, so check your state unemployment website for eligibility criteria.

There are minimum and maximum levels of unemployment compensation. You will be notified about your benefits when your claim is approved. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. Department of Labor. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

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Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. Even if you think you had a good reason to leave a job, that doesn't necessarily mean you had good cause in the eyes of the law. For example, it might make sense to leave a job that doesn't offer opportunities for advancement, but a worker who makes this choice won't be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Similarly, some people quit their jobs because they find the work unfulfilling or they want to pursue an entirely different career path.

These decisions may lead to a better qualify of life and higher job satisfaction -- but what they won't lead to is an unemployment check. In some states, former employees are eligible for benefits if they leave a job for compelling personal reasons -- for example, to relocate when a spouse gets a distant job or because a family emergency requires the worker to be home.

In other states, benefits are available only if the employee's reasons for quitting are related to the job. Your state may recognize additional covered reasons for leaving a job, such as moving to be with a spouse who has taken a distant job or been reposted by the military. In some cases, the employee may be subject to a disqualification period -- a stretch of time during which benefits are not available -- before becoming eligible for unemployment. To find out more about your state's laws, contact your state unemployment insurance agency.

You can find links and contact information for every state's unemployment agency at Career One Stop , a site sponsored by the federal Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. If you quit a job without good cause, you may not qualify for unemployment benefits.