Can you apply for unemployment while you are still working?

Question

weeeellll .... the company i work for gave 260 of their employees 2 months to look for another job because the company is moving to Oklahoma ( im in CA) . but .. i have to stay in the company until July 31st in order to get my severance check.

so can i apply for unemployment right now ? so i wont have to wait until the last day ?

help ? :]

thank you.

Answer 1

No you can not.  You must be unemployed before you can apply.  

Additionally, since you are receiving a severance package there will be a delay in collecting the unemployment until your severance runs out.

Answer 2

No, you are still working and once you are laid off then you file unemployment then wait one week before benefits start. So you will have a 2-3 week gap after leaving your job before first unemployment check will arive. Why dont you just look for a job before the company closes. Unemployment don't pay much.

Answer 3

Wait until a week or two before you are going to be laid off before you apply for unemployment.

Answer 4

No. And, there is a waiting period following your application.

Answer 5

I would call the unemployment office to find out. I know  you can file for TDI before your out but I'm not sure about unemployment. So call them so you can get a real answer and not a smart@ss one.

Answer 6

Unfortunately not.  You have to file after your last day of work, and there is typically a one week waiting period. Your severance check may pose an additional problem.  I know that when I left my previous job, I received a severance check equivalent to 8 weeks of pay.  I was not able to receive unemployment until after that 8 weeks.

Answer 7

You can't because technically - you're still employed.

Answer 8

NO!!  The "un" in unemployment means that you are not employed at the time you apply for benefits.  You may still have a waiting period if you file on the first day that you are really UNemployed.