To apply for unemployment benefits, you can either file an initial claim by phone or through the website of the Office of Unemployment Compensation. Videophone service is also available for people who use American Sign Language.

No matter what option you use to apply for your claim, it is important to apply immediately after losing your job. This will prevent any delays in getting your benefits.

When applying, you must provide personal details such as your Social Security number, home address, telephone number and email address. You also need to include information about your employment history, such as employment dates, reasons for leaving your job and contact details of all your employers over the last 18 months.

Getting approved for unemployment benefits is possible for someone who voluntarily quits their job, as opposed to being laid off or terminated without fault. But someone who applies for unemployment after voluntarily quitting has the burden of proving the following:

• They had good cause to quit.
• That cause was real and substantial and left the claimant no alternative.
• Before resigning, the claimant made every reasonable effort to maintain their employer/employee relationship.

One example is being forced to quit because a health problem prevents you from continuing your current job and your employer does not offer suitable alternative work. Another could be losing transportation to work through no fault of your own and being unable to find another way to commute.

You have the right to appeal a rejected application for unemployment benefits. However, the time limit to file an appeal is only 21 days – including holidays and weekends – from the mailing date of the rejection letter, unless the 21st day is a weekend or legal holiday, which gives you until the next business day. Once the deadline passes, you must convince an unemployment compensation referee that you missed it for good cause for your appeal to be considered. Obviously, filing the appeal on time is easier.