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If I am receiving unemployment insurance payments, what type of work do I have to look for?

You are supposed to look for work in your "customary" profession. That generally means that an airline pilot does not have to look for work as a fast-food clerk and a doctor does not have to apply for security guard positions.

How can I show that I am looking for work while I am receiving unemployment insurance payments?

Personal contacts - such as phone calls or in-person requests for work - are better proof that you sincerely wanted to work than just sending off job applications to potential employers.

Keep a written record of each time you apply for a new job. This will help you show that you have been continually searching for new work. Your written record should include the names of the employers you contacted and the dates and times you contacted them.

Can I collect unemployment benefits while going to school?

It depends. If your school schedule would not stop you from getting and keeping another job, then you should be able to continue to collect benefits. However, if your class times would prohibit you from taking another job, then you probably won't be able to continue collecting benefits.

Can I collect unemployment insurance if I am sick?

Your unemployment insurance payments probably will stop if you are sick. That is because you are no longer "able" to take a new job while you are sick. The state probably will not give you benefits unless you are able to accept a new job.

Do I need a labor law attorney?

If you have any problem with collecting unemployment insurance benefits, you should consider hiring a lawyer to help you.

Having a labor law attorney may be especially important at a hearing where your employer may have his own lawyer who will urge the hearing examiner to deny your unemployment insurance claim.