Unemployment Office Individual Applying Benefits Contacts Receive Make

A state unemployment office has many "responsibilities" (things that one must do). When someone contacts the office for the first time, the unemployment office first has to "orient" that person, explaining the office's services to him or her and introducing him to "key" (important) people. Then the individual needs to receive the "forms" (papers requesting information) to apply for unemployment benefits.

The unemployment office reviews the application to determine whether the individual is eligible for benefits. The unemployment office contacts previous employers to "verify" (confirm; make sure something is true) past employment and "compensation" (the amount that someone was paid). Then the unemployment office defines the benefit "level" (amount), determining how much money the individual should receive each month while he or she is looking for a job.

As payments are made, the unemployment office needs to make sure that the individual is "in fact" (really) looking for work. The individual might need to provide written "proof" (something showing that something is true), such as copies of job applications that he or she has "submitted" (sent) to "potential" (possible) employers.

The unemployment office may also help the individual find a new job. This could be as simple as giving him or her access to computers and job "databases" (collections of electronic information), or it could involve helping the individual improve his or her resume and cover letter. Some unemployment offices help individuals find "retraining programs" where they can learn new skills for a different type of work in a new "field" (area; industry).