Being laid off or terminated can be overwhelming and a little scary. The challenges of unemployment in rural areas are often amplified by a smaller job market and fewer support services, including access to your local Department of Labor office. Many are unaware of what these offices have to offer to help ease the transition between jobs.
Resources for individuals
If you’ve been laid off or terminated, know that you can get through this. It’s a tough situation, but there are steps you can take right away to regain stability and plan for the future. It can feel daunting to immediately begin applying for benefits and new employment, however, do not delay. Taking quick action will help you regain control and start building momentum.
1. File for unemployment benefits as soon as your employment ends or you begin working reduced hours.
An unemployment claim is effective the week in which you apply for benefits. Weeks prior to the effective date of your claim cannot be paid even if you meet all the eligibility requirements. If you were laid off or terminated the first week of February and waited until the first week of March to file, you will not be paid for any of the weeks in February that you were not working. Most states also have a “waiting week.” The waiting week is never paid, but you must serve a waiting week to be eligible for benefits.
Gather all of your information and documentation, including your ID, wages, employment history, and any separation paperwork from your employer. Provide your full employment history when you are completing your application for benefits.
You must have reached a minimum threshold for wages over two quarters to receive unemployment benefits. It may seem time-consuming, but not reporting your complete employment history could result in not receiving full benefits, or not receiving benefits at all. Be sure to create a resume in your state’s unemployment system and upload your ID to streamline approval of your application.
2. Be patient.
It can take a few weeks to start receiving your unemployment benefits. Federal and state law require that a request for separation information be sent to each employer to verify work history, wages, and details regarding the separation. This can take time.
Often, state unemployment workers are also tasked with answering phone calls and responding to emails with questions, which takes up time that could be spent processing claims. The majority of questions are related to when the claimant will be paid. If you are within the first month of receiving your first check, know this is normal. If you have been waiting longer than a month or were receiving payments that stopped for unknown reasons, then call or email.
3. File your weekly claims.
Every state requires you to certify weekly that you did not receive any wages that must be factored into your eligibility for benefits. If you fail to file for a week, your benefits may be affected. You will need to job search while you are filing and report the jobs you have applied for. Only apply for jobs you are interested in. Refusal to accept an interview or job offer could result in disqualification for unemployment benefits.
4. Open all communication from the state you filed in.
You will have a limited number of days to respond to meet requirements or to file for an appeal if your claim is denied.
5. Use your appeal rights.
If your claim is denied, appeal. You will have limited time to appeal and will need to follow the instructions on your disqualification letter. (Note: approval letters also have appeal instructions included on the letter. Read your letter carefully to understand whether your claim was approved or denied.)
Once your appeal has been received, you will receive notification with the date and time of your appeal hearing. Be sure to attend the hearing (most are done by telephone) and follow all instructions. You will want to have documentation ready to refute any information you feel is inaccurate in your adjudication.
6. Be honest.
If you received partial wages, even for temporary or gig work, returned to work, or started new employment—report your income. Report wages earned during that week even if you did not receive payment that week.
If you are found to have received benefits that should not have been paid, you will be required to pay this back. You could also end up with penalties, criminal charges, and loss of future benefits.
7. Ask about other resources.
Programs such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) offer financial assistance for job training, education, and employment services. Some can even help with expenses like housing, transportation, or child care while you search for new opportunities. These programs are available in every state. Check with your local workforce development office to see what’s available to you.
Resources for employers
Laying off employees is never an easy decision, and as an employer, you may be wondering how to minimize the impact. Fortunately, options are available to help both your business and your employees during this transition.
Finding and retaining skilled employees is challenging, and layoffs can lead to long-term workforce gaps. If your business is experiencing a temporary downturn, consider Short-Term Compensation over a layoff. Instead of letting employees go completely, you might be able to reduce their hours temporarily while supplementing lost wages through unemployment. This approach allows you to retain skilled workers and bring them back to full-time status when business conditions improve. Short-Term Compensation can help cover the wage gap, keeping your team intact while reducing costs.
Should you face a situation where work is no longer available for the individual’s current position and training, ask about layoff aversion services such as Incumbent Worker Training. These services may be able to provide wage reimbursements to train existing employees for new duties, helping businesses adapt to changing needs while preventing layoffs. By upskilling your workforce, you can retain valuable employees and enhance operational efficiency.
Nebraska employers can also take advantage of the Nebraska Worker Training Grant to support employee development. This quarterly grant provides funding to help businesses train their workforce, improving employee skills and increasing business competitiveness. By utilizing these funds, employers can invest in their teams, reducing the need for layoffs and strengthening workforce capabilities for the future.
If layoffs are unavoidable, contact your local Department of Labor to schedule a Rapid Response, even if it’s just for one or a few people. Rapid Response services are free and teams can meet with employees to explain unemployment benefits, job search assistance, and training opportunities. By providing employees with this information upfront, you can help them transition more quickly into new roles, reducing the time they spend on unemployment.
Connecting employees with workforce development resources can make a big difference. Encourage them to enroll in job training and reemployment programs. You can also partner with local workforce agencies to help your employees find new opportunities, gain new skills, and receive career counseling.
Job loss and workforce changes can be challenging for both individuals and employers, but taking proactive steps can make the transition smoother. If you’ve been laid off, acting quickly to file for unemployment, seek training opportunities, and connect with workforce development resources can help you regain stability and find new opportunities. For employers, exploring layoff aversion programs, Short-Term Compensation, and Incumbent Worker Training can help retain skilled employees and adapt to changing business needs.
Whether you’re an individual navigating unemployment or an employer facing tough decisions, resources are available to support you through this process.
