Debunking Myths About Unemployment Eligibility
Unemployment is something that anyone can face, and it can be very unexpected. In The United States, unemployment benefits provide financial support to individuals who were laid off and are out of work. It may not always be comparable to the monetary funds received while having a job, but it is a weekly stipend that benefits many jobless citizens. You can receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, and it is not extremely difficult to fit the requirements needed to apply. However, many people still have certain misconceptions about who can be eligible for unemployment, and we will debunk them below.
First, some may assume that seasonal and contract workers are not included in eligibility. This is not true; in fact, some states provide compensation during an off period for seasonal workers to not face economic hardship while unable to work. Independent contractors are often unable to collect unemployment benefits, but workers contracted from a third-party agency are mostly eligible. Always contact your employer to get exact details regarding this. Also, social security beneficiaries are not excluded from eligibility. If you have lost your job due to no fault of your own and are willing to look for jobs in the future, you are eligible for unemployment even if you are on social security.
If you are currently a part-time worker, do not assume you cannot apply for unemployment benefits. Many workers have had their hours reduced by their employer, or an employee is laid off temporarily for an indefinite period. Both of these scenarios directly affect employees’ wages, making them eligible to apply for weekly unemployment benefits. However, if you have chosen to be a part-time worker, then you are not eligible. One of the biggest misconceptions is that if you are fired, you are unable to collect unemployment. The conditions for this vary with factors such as misconduct and performance. If you feel you were wrongfully fired or had to quit for reasons such as harassment, you can qualify if you can prove your claim. Also, if your unemployment application is wrongfully denied, you can appeal the decision.
Lastly, some people feel that if they attend university, they will not qualify for unemployment. This is not true for all cases. If you lost your job and decided to go to school full time, you are eligible for unemployment if you cannot work during that time. However, there are certain requirements, such as being enrolled in a specific category of courses. If it is recognized or sponsored by the DOL, you qualify for unemployment benefits.
