I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of a great organization like Workplace Fairness. We’re using online tools to educate workers about their rights and job-seekers about their search. But I’m no stranger to unemployment.

In the not-too-distant past my resources became limited and I hit a wall in my job search. So I made the tough decision millions of Americans have had to make: I decided to file for unemployment… But making the decision was just the beginning.

What I remember most vividly about the time that followed were two things:

1) The confusion, hassle, and frustration of the application process

2) My relief when I received the first ameliorating check

So, when I came across the The New York Times’ money blog “Bucks” and their series “Answers About Unemployment Benefits” I wanted to share it and hopefully save some frustrated job-seekers a few minutes, or hours, or dead-end research.

The answers are provided by Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project. All four parts in the series can be found here:

Answers About Unemployment Benefits: Part 1

Answers About Unemployment Benefits: Part 2

Answers About Unemployment Benefits: Part 3

Answers About Unemployment Benefits: Part 4

Among the topics the series covers are:

• COBRA health care
• Tip earners
• Temp workers
• How to determine eligibility?
• How to determine amount?
• New 2009 Recovery Act extensions
• Students
• Self-employment
• Independent contractors

I hope you find it helpful.

*For more information on unemployment insurance visit the Workplace Fairness Unemployment Insurance Information page and 2009 Economic Stimulus Package and its Effect on Unemployment Insurance page.

About the Author: Brett Brownell is a new media fellow at the New Organizing Institute where he manages the Today’s Workplace blog and new media for Workplace Fairness. Brett served as deputy director of new media & videographer for the Obama campaign in Pennsylvania. He is also the founder of Worldwide Moment (an international photography project for peace) and the son of a 40-year veteran of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants union.