In the past few years, the United States has had a record number of people who were unemployed. Now that we are in the holiday season, you can expect there to be an even bigger emphasis on the number of Americans that are unable to find employment. How much do you know about how unemployment insurance? Take this quick quiz, and find out!
Everyone who is unemployed automatically gets unemployment insurance benefits. True, or False?
False! According to the Economic Policy Institute, only around two-thirds of the 14 million Americans who are unemployed are actually receiving unemployment benefits. Not everyone who becomes unemployed is considered to be eligible to receive benefits.
A person has to have worked for a certain amount of time, or has to have earned a certain amount of money, first. If the person does not meet those requirements, then he or she will not be getting any financial help from unemployment benefits.
Once a person starts receiving unemployment benefits, he can stay on it for life. True, or False?
False! In most states, a person can only receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. In states where the unemployment level is especially high, the duration can be extended for a total of up to 99 weeks.
People who receive unemployment benefits must be able to show that they are continuing to look for work, (or they risk losing their benefits). Those who are unable to find work after they have been receiving benefits for the maximum number of weeks allowed by their state will stop receiving benefits.
Unemployment benefits equal the income a person had before losing her job. True, or False?
False! The amount of money a person gets as unemployment benefits is not based on how much they made before they were laid off.
Instead, the state looks at the past few years of that person’s employment history, and bases the amount of money that a person can receive off of the amount of money a person earned within a three month period of time. The maximum payment is capped far below what the person earned before she lost her job. The average amount a person will get is about $1,200 a month.
Some people quit their job so they can stay home and collect unemployment benefits. True or False?
False! In order to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, a person must have lost his or her job through no fault of their own. If the company you worked for went out of business, or if you were laid off, then you might qualify for benefits.
If you lost your job due to something that was within your control, then you are not going to be eligible for benefits. People who get fired, who quit their job, or who abandon their job, cannot receive unemployment benefits.
Image by Charlene McBride on Flickr