Unemployment - Brookfield,IL

You need to collect what is due to you. Just remember that the unemployment is taxable for federal income taxes. The thing that's bad is the first time you go in. Plan on getting there really early and staying the whole day. If you have kids, get a sitter. I've collected a few times, the website for the state of illinois can give you an idea of what you're going to collect. I never went in on a Monday which is a horrible day to go. So try a Wednesday.

Hi, even though I am from PA I think the basic guidelines for unemployment are the same in all states. In addition to the points outlined in the previous post: if you are eligible to receive benefits you are able to work part time for a predetermined amount and still receive full benefits. There is also the possiblity of earning more than this predetermined rate and being eligible to receive partial benefits. The predetermined rate is based on your weekly benefit amount. Good luck!

I don't see the drawback. You can apply online and renew over the phone. Use the bucks to have a professional re-write your resume and get some placement services if you don't need the bucks. The market is competitive these days.

I'm not sure of drawbacks, other than unecessary feelings of inadequecy because of the stigma of being on unemployment. The economy has tanked over the past year and many of us may find ourselves in situations we never imagined. It's easy to apply (usually you can even do it on-line) and it's temporary, and it gives you money that you need.

The only thing I would warn is to elect to have taxes taken out--otherwise at year end you will owe 1/4 to 1/3 of it back in income tax--might be better for planning to just have taxes taken out up front.

Dear P.,
I don't know about benefits for IL either as I am in California, but, if you were terminated or laid off from your job, through no fault of your own, you should apply for unemployment benefits. The sooner, the better. There is usually a week's "waiting period" in which you can't collect benefits, but your actual claim begins when you file.
Whether or not you are entitled to benefits depends on how long you worked and what your highest earnings were in a certain quarter so if you wait too long to file, you may not be eligible for benefits at all. Meaning, your benefits don't just sit there waiting for you to decide when you may want them. If you voluntarily quit your job, you are likely to receive zero benefits.
I would go online and find the employment development department web-site for your state and look for filing and eligibility information there.

Good luck!

My husband was on unemployment for 4 months last year.

Downside/drawbacks:
- hurt ego.
- explaining to neighbors (but got over that).
- took 3 weeks to get the money started, so there was some stress.
- had to prove that he applied for 2 jobs a week, even if he didn't really want the job.

Benefits:
- had money worth about 2/3rds of his normal check coming in.
- they let you take taxes out so you didn't have to worry later.
- had access to list of jobs that weren't necessarily posted to the world yet.

We couldn't have made it without it. If you were laid off, why wouldn't you apply for it? Its great if you are smart enough to have set some money aside for such a time, but why have to dip in to that if you have a legitamite claim to benefits?

M.

I was on unemployment for a year - did everything online and never stepped foot into the unemployment office. Take whatever is due to you. Even if you can survive without it, you never know what might happen down the road. The only drawback is that it is taxable income, so keep that in mind. Don't be embarrassed. There are a lot of people out of work. Good luck on finding a new job.

I can't help you about Illinois. But the only way I would not apply for unemployment benefits is if I had a years worth of living expenses saved up, or maybe even 18 mos worth. Or if you were both working and you can live off the one income easily. Or if you have investments you can live off of. Then maybe I would consider not applying. But otherwise, that is what it is there for. And unemployment is something that your company paid into while you were employed, so the money (in theory) should already be there and available for your use when that company lets you go. I am curious to see what anyone might list as a drawback to collecting it. The only thing I can think of that would be a drawback is if your state makes you keep a log to prove you are searching for a job, and you just don't really want to do that. Texas requires you to keep track of all your job fairs, resumes sent, jobs applied to, etc. and might audit you at some point. So that is kind of a pain. But it is is to see if you are just sitting and collecting, or actually looking for a job.

If you were working you were paying into the unemployment fund. Think of it like social security - you've paid and paid, now it is time to get a little back. I would recommend having the checks taxed vs. paying tax at the end of the year. There is no reason not to collect while you are on the job hunt. Good luck.