So how does it work? Basically my job is closing in the next month or so and I'm going down w/ the ship, since I have been here for over 4 years and I can help out in multiple positions. I plan to file for unemployment the day we close and take a vacation. I would of earned my vacation in June but since I'm missing out on it I owe it to myself to take a break.
I have heard that you basically get a check every 2 weeks or every month and it's about half of whatever you made at your last job? Do you only get these checks for 6 months? Do they get mailed to you? This way I don't have to dip into savings or rush into finding a job. I like to stay at a job for a long time and not move around so it's going to take some time to find the right job.
Another reason for this is I plan to start playing poker during the week in Atlantic City to see how I do playing middle-limit games (mostly 10/20 limit) and maybe a little blackjack. I have basically done this once or twice a month for almost a year and made a good ammount of $. I'm curious to see how I will do if I was there for a week at a time. I doubt this will last for month then a month or 2 but if I keep winning then I see no reason not to try. I have probably have 15 AC trips in the past year and I have won every time except ONCE, due partly to the people I was around (highrollers).
For everyone who wants to say I'm addicted to gambling don't worry. To me it's my guilty pleasure since I don't smoke or drink. TIA for hearing me out.

My dot-com laid everyone off and went under, so I got to do this 5 years ago. Things may have changed.

First you apply to your state's EDD for "Unemployment Insurance"
http://www.job-hunt.org/state_unemployment_offices.shtml
Usually by mail, or phone, but some states have electronic forms on their website.

You pay for this insurance every paycheck, so it's not welfare.

The state will send you a couple forms to fill out. You basically have to prove you looked for work every week, mail it in, and the EDD will send you a check. For me it was about 30% of my normal salary. The hard part is remembering to send in the form every single week.

You also don't have to accept the first job offer you get. I shopped around for 3 months before starting work again, and just sent in evidence of my interviews and phone calls.

Also look into keeping your healthcare through applying for COBRA.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

Gambling while unemployed is a bad idea IMO.

i think you could also find a program (my mom did this) where she was being trained in welding (NASCO) and going to school at the same time, i think they pay you for the training too.

I filed for it when the circuit city that i worked at closed. In Kansas, all we have to do is go to the unemployment website and fill out the weekly claim and they send you a check every week. Pretty simple.

im unemployed for 4 months out of the year due to my great seasonal union job and unemployment is way less than 1/2 of what i make a week, the max i can draw in fl is 275 wk and i get to claim twice a month so i get 2 checks a month for 550 each. this is not money but when you consider my wife does exactly the same thing we pull in 2200 a month for sitting on our butts thats not a bad deal. and if your like us and know how to save and dont live paycheck to paycheck than unemployment is kinda like a yearly retirment plan where 4 months out of the year we get to retire and enjoy this hott azz state! hell we have it set up on direct deposit we call and claim on tues and on thursday its in the bank

I don't wanna have to send in a form every month. I mean I could just fill out job applications for all the jobs my friends work at fake it right? I know gambling isn't the best idea w/o a job but I got some extra $ for this and I think it's worth trying, w/ the success I have had in the past.

When I filed in KS after getting laid off six weeks into Arizona (I was told to file in KS by both states), I had to call in to an automated system once a week and do the survey thing...

In the weeks selected, were you employed?

In the week selected, did you look for work?

In the week selected, did you collect any benefits?

Etc.

I got $252/wk. You're going to have to prove to them that you're actively looking for work each week - whether you actually are or not. Once in a while, they will send you a report to fill out, listing the places you applied and the results. Save a couple classifieds and fill it out that you sent in a resume, but heard nothing back. You should be good to go.

One thing I'll mention, because I got burned by it, some states give you the option to have taxes withheld from your payments. Given you're only getting about a grand a month, it's easy to decline this, but at the end of the year, you'll get a form from them showing how much income they reported to the feds and state and you'll end up with a couple grand of tax liabilities as a result. Surprise, surprise! There goes your much needed refund for the year! :P

While I'm at it...

northscottsdale.landroverretailer.com/pages/present/lr/notlocalized/home/default.asp?pagewidth=360&pageheight=200&donotedit=0&pageid=7000&navid=1 - Brand new location. Very nice place.

www.landroverscottsdale.com/Default.aspx Located on the scottsdalemotormile.com/ just around the corner from me.

A lot of dealerships around here. Many of them higher end, Dave. It might be something you would like to check out. You could even indulge your vice out here, as there are something like five casinos within an hour's drive (as they are located around the valley on indian land).

Just thought I would throw that out there. Keep in mind that moving expenses for a new job are probably somewhat deductible on your taxes... :shrug

Originally posted by DR1665
When I filed in KS after getting laid off six weeks into Arizona (I was told to file in KS by both states), I had to call in to an automated system once a week and do the survey thing... In the weeks selected, were you employed? In the week selected, did you look for work? In the week selected, did you collect any benefits? Etc. I got $252/wk. You're going to have to prove to them that you're actively looking for work each week - whether you actually are or not. Once in a while, they will send you a report to fill out, listing the places you applied and the results. Save a couple classifieds and fill it out that you sent in a resume, but heard nothing back. You should be good to go. One thing I'll mention, because I got burned by it, some states give you the option to have taxes withheld from your payments. Given you're only getting about a grand a month, it's easy to decline this, but at the end of the year, you'll get a form from them showing how much income they reported to the feds and state and you'll end up with a couple grand of tax liabilities as a result. Surprise, surprise! There goes your much needed refund for the year! :P While I'm at it... northscottsdale.landroverretailer.com/pages/present/lr/notlocalized/home/default.asp?pagewidth=360&pageheight=200&donotedit=0&pageid=7000&navid=1 - Brand new location. Very nice place. www.landroverscottsdale.com/Default.aspx Located on the scottsdalemotormile.com/ just around the corner from me. A lot of dealerships around here. Many of them higher end, Dave. It might be something you would like to check out. You could even indulge your vice out here, as there are something like five casinos within an hour's drive (as they are located around the valley on indian land). Just thought I would throw that out there. Keep in mind that moving expenses for a new job are probably somewhat deductible on your taxes... :shrug

Thanks Brian. I appreciate your responses in all of my threads. I have definately taken over the pits w/ my job situation. I really could use a vacation so I'll definately keep you and Arizona in mind.

Originally posted by thedawg
Gambling while unemployed is a bad idea IMO.

Im not sure how it works in your state, but they should have a site similar to the one we have in NC http://www.ncesc.com/ they have a calculator on their site that will let you know how much you can get and how long you will be able to get it. You could check it out and get a basic idea as to what you may be getting from wherever you are

Definately a bad idea.