Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who are between jobs. In a freelance industry like ours, it’s very common — and perfectly normal — for workers to rely on unemployment benefits during gaps between jobs. These benefits exist to support you, and applying for them can be a smart way to protect your financial stability during periods of transition.
Unemployment is a national program, but it’s administered by individual states, which means the process and eligibility requirements can vary depending on where you’re filing. Typically, you’ll file in the state where you worked, but if you’ve worked in multiple states recently, you may be able to choose which state to file in.
If you're filing a claim in New York State and have been denied benefits, or are having trouble navigating the process, the Workers Defense League may be able to help. They are a nonprofit workers' rights organization that specializes in helping workers appeal unemployment insurance denials.
If you have any questions or need guidance, reach out to your Benefits & Support Services Department at USA 829. We’re here to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which state should I file my claim?
Typically, you’re going to file for unemployment insurance in the state in which you work, even if it’s not the state in which you live.
If you’ve worked in more than one state recently, you may be able to file for unemployment in any state where you earned wages during your base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). This is called a Combined Wage Claim, which means your unemployment benefits are based on earnings from multiple states. If so, you’ll usually want to file in the state that offers the highest weekly benefit amount, but keep in mind that each state has its own rules for calculating benefits, and you might not qualify for the highest possible amount in every case.
World Population Review is an excellent resource for tracking information about benefits offered by each state, and the Department of Labor offers this helpful index of state labor department websites.
How much will my unemployment benefit be?
Since unemployment insurance is handled on a state-by-state basis, the amount of your benefit depends entirely on the state in which you work and in which you file your claim.
World Population Review is an excellent resource for tracking information about benefits offered by each state, and the Department of Labor offers this helpful index of state labor department websites.
What might disqualify me from receiving unemployment benefits?
It may vary on a state-by-state basis, but quitting a job, being fired for misconduct, or refusing to accept available work may all result in disqualification from receiving unemployment benefits.