Unemployment programs are very helpful for people who are going through the tough time of becoming unexpectedly unemployed. However, there are some factors that can disqualify an otherwise eligible employee. Here is a quick look at some of those factors.
The major factor that can disqualify you from unemployment programs comes from your actions during the time of unemployment. Benefits are given to you under the assumption that you are actively searching for new jobs. If you fail to keep documentation of your job search, or if you turn down a suitable job offer, unemployment benefits will cease.
Additionally, if the reason for your severance is listed as being your fault, you will not be able to receive unemployment aid. Unemployment is only applied if you were laid off for something not directly your fault.
Unemployment aid also depends on how much you have worked and how much you earned. If you worked for a time period that is less than the minimum requirement for your state, or you did not earn the minimum amount, unemployment aid will not be made available to you.
One other factor that can disqualify an otherwise eligible employee is their employment classification. Some employers can list workers as independent contractors, which means they would be classified as self-employed and therefore not be eligible for unemployment aid. However, you can fill out IRS form SS-8 to determine if your services were that of a contractor or an employee.
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