Southern California Job Market : How to Get Help When the Going Gets Tough : UNEMPLOYMENT

If you lost your job through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits while you look for work.

To qualify, you must meet certain modest earnings standards. Part-timers may also be eligible.

The maximum benefit is $230 a week for 26 weeks, but because of ongoing high unemployment, benefits have been extended for another 26 weeks, for a total of 52.

Benefits are paid every two weeks by mail, and no income tax is withheld. The money is taxable income, though, and must be reported on your federal tax return. But it’s not subject to California state taxes.

To file a claim, go to the nearest state Employment Development Department field office. (Look for Employment Development Department, Unemployment Insurance Claims office, listed under “California, State of” in the government listings section at the beginning of the white pages.)

Know the names and addresses of your previous employers and dates worked; information on your last employer is especially important.

In some cases, increased benefits may result from delaying the filing of your claim to take advantage of the periods of your highest earnings. You can inquire at the unemployment office about how benefits are calculated.

FOOD STAMPS

If things get really bad, food stamps can help.

Usually in conjunction with cash, food stamps are good for almost all foods, including seeds and plants to grow food. Pet food, non-food items, alcohol or tobacco products are excluded.

Certain income limits apply. For example, gross income for a four-person household can’t exceed $1,452 a month. Households may not have more than $2,000 in bank accounts, stocks, bonds and other resources. If a member of the household is aged 60 or older, the resource limit increases to $3,000. (Home and furnishings are excluded, but the value of an automobile in excess of $4,500 is included.)

Eligibility is limited. Illegal immigrants are ineligible. So are households with a member on strike, except under certain circumstances. If you quit your job, you’re ineligible for 90 days. College students must be working at least 20 hours per week, be in a federally financed work-study program or have a dependent child under certain ages.

To apply, visit your local county social services office, fill out an application and be interviewed by a county representative. You’ll be notified by mail within 30 days of whether you are eligible (this can be expedited under some hardship circumstances).

In Los Angeles County, call 310-908-8333 for more information.