File for Unemployment Insurance Now!

By J. McKenna

Financial Help During a Job Transition

If you think you might lose your job, become familiar with the resources available to tide families through a period without a paycheck. There are many resources to help you bridge a temporary loss of income. One of the most important is unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance provides workers with temporary income when they become unemployed through no fault of their own. Ups and downs of economic cycles cause layoffs, and the purpose of unemployment insurance is to help workers keep up with their housing and food payments while seeking a new job.

Filing for Unemployment Benefits

If you become unemployed, file for unemployment benefits immediately. You can file at the Colorado Government web page -- www.coworkforce.com/uiic. Of visit your local Workforce Center. They will help you check for job openings, training opportunities, and assess your career skills. A listing of Colorado Workforce Centers can be found at www.coworkforce.com/emp/WFCs.asp.

Receiving Unemployment Benefits

The time period for your cash assistance begins one week after you first make your claim. If you wait for several weeks to file, you will not be able to claim benefits for the weeks prior to the time that you file. Claims made Sunday through Wednesday will be effective for that week. Claims made Thursday through Saturday will be effective the next week.

Benefits are calculated based on your total earnings. The total weekly amount that you will receive will be no higher than $390.00 per week and no lower than $25.00.

When you file, you'll need to provide information about jobs you have held for the past eighteen months, including the dates you worked, your rate of pay, and the reason you are no longer employed with the company.

If you file for benefits online, you will receive forms and an unemployment insurance handbook in the mail. The Workforce Center will contact you within 10 days to make an appointment to enter your skills and experience in their job bank to help you in your job search.

After you have filed for benefits, it may take up to 5 weeks to receive your first check. In order to receive your benefit, you must show evidence that you are looking for work by reporting at least five job contacts each week to your local Workforce Center. Job contacts may be made in person, by telephone, and by resume.

You deserve this support so file right away.