Unemployment Benefits for Native Americans

Being unemployed can be a scary situation, and yet it is something that millions of people have to face each year. Native Americans who are unemployed can receive assistance through the government. It is important for Native Americans to know about unemployment benefits and how to apply for them, so that they can get the financial assistance they need during the time they are without a job.

The government offers unemployment benefits for Native Americans in every state. Whether you have just become unemployed, you lost your job a while ago, or you can’t seem to get hired at a job, you may qualify for unemployment benefits through the government. Unemployment benefits will provide you with a weekly or bi-weekly grant that can be used to help with your living expenses during the time that you are not working.

Here are some important things to know about unemployment benefits for Native Americans:

• In order to receive unemployment benefits you have to be unemployed through no fault of your own. What that means is that you didn’t quit a job and then go try to get unemployment benefits. Those who may have lost their job due to downsizing, seasonal positions, or other reasons that are not through their own fault, will likely qualify to receive unemployment benefits. If you have been fired for misconduct at your job you may not be approved for unemployment benefits.
• Those who are qualified to receive unemployment benefits will have had to meet the earnings threshold for the state that they live in. What this means is that if you were at your job for just a couple of weeks and then were laid off or let go, you likely won’t be approved, because you weren’t working long enough. If, for example, you have been working at a company for a year or a couple of years and then get laid off or let go, you will have met the earnings threshold in order to qualify for unemployment benefits.
• Each state has their own set of eligibility requirements that must be met in order to be approved to receive unemployment benefits. You have to apply for unemployment benefits in the state where you live, and go by their list of criteria that is used to determine if you qualify or not.
• Those who receive unemployment benefits will receive a percentage of their normal wage, up to a capped amount that is determined by the state they live in. For example, the maximum amount someone may receive in the state of Florida is around $275 per week. Depending on the specifics for the state you live in, people who are approved can typically get 26 weeks of paid unemployment benefits. Plus, there is an option to request an extension and if approved you may receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits.
• Anyone who receives unemployment benefits will need to be actively looking for work and available for work. Unemployment benefits are not a vacation or paid time off, where people receive them and go take a vacation or break. Rather, they are a financial safety net that provides people who have lost their job through no fault of their own with the cash they need to get by while they are actively looking for their next job. If you are receiving unemployment benefits and not looking for work you may lose your benefits.
• Many states offer people assistance in finding jobs, as well as obtaining training to go into a new field. If you are receiving unemployment benefits you should inquire about the career training opportunities that are provided.

Native Americans can apply for unemployment benefits by contacting their state unemployment office. Each state runs its own program, and the way they do things varies. You can contact your state office to find out the process where you live and if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you have been denied unemployment benefits and feel it is in error, you can appeal the process, or you may wish to speak with an attorney who can review your case in detail and provide you with options and a direction to take. If you have become unemployed, don’t delay applying for unemployment benefits.