If you live in Puerto Rico and have recently lost your job and become unemployed, you're probably wondering how to apply for unemployment. This page will help you determine if you qualify for benefits. Read on to learn How to File for Unemployment in Puerto Rico.

Unemployment is a condition of those who are willing to work but are unable to get a job. While it used to be thought of as voluntary and punished, it is now realized that there are other factor that may cause unemployment to be inevitable (at least for a short period of time). Factors include racial discrimination, technological advances, seasonal layoffs, fluctuations in the economy, or lack of education.http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/unemployment.aspx Unemployment can be frustrating, but unemployment benefits can aid you significantly.

You may qualify for unemployment insurance if you are currently seeking new employment in Puerto Rico because you've recently lost your job. If you're in need of short term income, filing for unemployment may help. The maximum weekly benefit in Puerto Rico is $133. The qualifying wage for the maximum total potential benefit is $6,080.http://www.policyalmanac.org/social_welfare/archive/unemployment_compensation.shtml

Since the goal of unemployment insurance is to help people who are out of work stay financially afloat while the look for a new job, the government insists that you meet the following requirements:

1. You have not been fired or terminated from your previous job, or left willingly unless you have a very good reason.
2. You must be actively looking for new employment.
3. Be ready with an open schedule and available to work.
4. Earned wages in the previous year significant enough to be used as a base when determining the size of your unemployment benefits.http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-32445.html

Before you can make you claim for unemployment insurance, make sure you have the following documentation. Missing something you need can delay your filing and end up costing you money:

1. Your S.S.N. (Social Security Number).
2. Your current address and contact information.
3. Contact information and dates of employment for all employers in the previous 18 months, including for any employers outside of Puerto Rico.
4. The date you became unemployed.
5. Proof that you were not fired or terminated from your last job.http://jobsearch.about.com/od/unemployment/a/fileunemploy.htm

In Puerto Rico you can file either by phone or online:

• Apply by phone by calling 787-625-7900http://www.atdn.org/access/states/pr/pr.html
• Apply online by visiting gobierno.pr (website is in Spanish)http://www.gobierno.pr/ADT/Servicios/Desempleo.htm gobierno.pr