Unemployment Benefits Provide Some Assistance

Unemployment benefits are based on the salary a worker earned during four of the past five quarters before losing his or her job, according to Judy Kelley, placement supervisor for the Employment Development Department in Oceanside.

Benefits range from $40 to $210 per week, for up to 26 weeks.

Starting Nov. 17 and until June 13, an extended 13-week benefit period is available in some cases for those who have exhausted their regular benefits.

In most cases, individuals collecting unemployment must be looking for work. They must check in regularly with evidence of their job search.

Laid-off workers can collect unemployment and, in some cases, so can those who voluntarily left their jobs or were fired. Examples would be people who quit their jobs because of sexual harassment or unsafe working conditions.

The employee and the employer have the right to contest the denial or granting of unemployment benefits.