Unemployment insurance is beneficial to those who are recently unemployed and do not qualify for other government benefits such as social security or veteran benefits. However, unemployment insurance is run on a state basis rather than on a national basis.
Many states use an unemployment tax that is paid for by the employers in the state. This tax provides monetary assistance to those who are currently unemployed.
Each state has its own set of laws, rules and regulations regarding financial aid for the unemployed. To qualify, a person may need to have been employed by the company for a specific period of time and still be currently looking for work. Furthermore, the maximum amount of financial aid may vary based on the individual’s past yearly salary and many states only provide unemployment for a specific period of time; for example, such as six months following the loss of a job.
It should also be noted that there are currently no rules that prohibit an individual from collecting both unemployment insurance and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), though the requirements for both programs generally prevent this from occurring.
However, if an individual is unsure of their current work status, they may apply for both but then drop one depending upon their disability status. If approved for both, the individual should have a reasonable explanation prepared if they do not drop one of the benefits immediately, as this could result in serious legal consequences.
