To file an unemployment claim, again it is a good idea to begin immediately.There are varied guidelines per state, so check locally at the unemployment office for the most current information that will be relevant to your claim. They will sometimes refer you to some published literature, so ask if you can take copies with you. It might be easier to gather up your information at home and return to their offices later with everything they are wanting. Usually unemployment requests require the submission of a lot of paperwork to back up the claim.

They might want old pay records, documentation from the employer, or more. But talking to someone at the office before you go to actually apply might get you started. Sometimes they can refer you to an interactive website that can be even more helpful and explain exactly what needs to be done in order to file a claim.

Locate all of your pertinent work-related documents, including all pay stubs, for at least a period of six months. Most likely you will be required to submit proof of employment at the same place for a minimum of sixteen weeks, and that income should be at least fifty dollars or more. This income has to occur in what the government refers to as a base year, or a shifting calendar. When applying it is best to ask about more details on a base year, as the office can clarify it and how it will relate to the documents you will need to submit to them. Your initial paperwork that is sent out for verification purposes should have what is considered to be your base year. Your initial paperwork will also help you finish and answer any more questions you have about how to file your claim.