How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits with the Illinois Department of Employment Security?
The Illinois Department of Employment takes three factors into consideration when determining your eligibility for unemployment benefits: your ability to work, if you are seeking work, and the amount you earned during the base period. You can apply online or using their call center. You can estimate your Weekly Benefit Amount using their table online as a reference. Applicants are legally required to register with the Illinois Job Link.
In today's economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of unemployment applications have skyrocketed. No matter where you live, businesses have been significantly hurt by this downturn, leaving millions of Americans unemployed. It can be frightening to go through such uncertain times when you do not know when life will return to normal or when you will be able to have a steady source of income again. However, it is extremely important to get a hold of these emotions and think rationally, instead. In the United States, unemployment benefits are available to help ease the burden that comes with being jobless. To take full advantage, you must understand the process of applying and determining how much money you are eligible for. If you live in Illinois, you will be happy to know that you will have assistance throughout the entire process.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security has a user-friendly website that informs you how to apply for unemployment benefits. Although each state has a different process, the entire country has a few basic requirements to determine if you are eligible to receive benefits. You must be able to and actively seek work, meet a minimum amount of wages earned during a base period, and you must be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means that you are not eligible for benefits if you voluntarily left your job.
If you meet these requirements, you must first register with the employment service at https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/ada/r/ . This employment service is legally required for individuals who apply for unemployment benefits. It allows you access to a job-search engine that makes it easy to find employment opportunities. It is important to note that your benefits will not be paid until your registration is complete. The registration is considered complete after you upload one résumé. To confirm your registration, you can look at the left-hand side of the screen, and you should see "UI Registered" in green.
To continue filing for unemployment benefits, you can either file online or call the department directly. If you choose to file online, you must create a username and password. Additionally, you need to have your social security number, drivers license, and your last employer's information. After your create your account, you will be prompted to enter specific financial information to determine the amount of benefits you are eligible for. If you would like an estimate of your Weekly Benefit Amount, you may use the Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts as a reference.
If you take advantage of the resources that are available to assist you, you will realize that you are more than capable of getting back on your feet. Remain patient and determined and your life will regain a sense of stability in no time!
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