To continue receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you must meet your state’s requirements. 

You can find details of your own state’s program by selecting your state in the box below, but most states require that you:

• File weekly or biweekly claims, usually by mail or telephone.
• Report any earnings from work you had during the week(s). States have different rules for how much money you can earn while receiving benefits.
• Report any job offers or refusal of work during the week.
• If directed, report to your local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or American Job Center on the day and at the time you are scheduled to do so. If you fail to report as scheduled for any interview, benefits may be denied.
• If required, register for work with your State Employment Service, so it can assist you in finding employment.

Even if you are not required to register for work, you still may seek help from a Veterans Employment Representative at your local American Job Center/Employment Service Office. Veterans Employment Representatives have current labor market information and provide a wide array of re-employment services free of charge. They and other American Job Center staff can:

• Refer you to job openings in your area, or in other areas if you are willing to relocate.
• Refer you to various training programs.
• At some offices, provide assistance with resume writing and other job search activities.
• If job openings in your field are limited, they can offer testing and counseling to determine other jobs you might like to do and are able to do.
• If you believe you have special needs or considerations, such as physical needs or other considerations, which may prevent you from getting a job, they can refer you to other agencies for help with those needs.