How to Get an Exempt Employee Unemployment Benefits
- 1). Ask the human resources representative handling your layoff or termination for information on unemployment benefits. The human resources staff should be very familiar with the unemployment compensation process, and they should be able to give you websites and phone numbers you can use to get started.
- 2). Find your state's labor department on the Internet and navigate to the pages discussing unemployment compensation benefits. Most states now have an interactive website where you can start the initial claim for unemployment compensation and provide details about your termination.
- 3). Gather as many of your past pay stubs as you can. You may need to provide information about your past earnings to qualify for unemployment benefits. As an exempt employee, your earnings should stay the same from week to week, since you were not eligible for any overtime pay.
- 4). Document as much as you can about the circumstances surrounding your separation from the company. You may be denied unemployment benefits if the company claims you quit voluntarily, or if you were fired for willful misconduct, violence in the workplace or using drugs or alcohol while on the job. Having full documentation about your work life on hand will make it easier to challenge any claims the company may make.
- 5). Follow up with the state labor department to check on the status of your claim if you have not heard anything in a week or so. Most states allow you to follow your unemployment claim online at the state's website, but you may also have a phone number to call.
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