The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program allows the unemployed to claim temporary financial assistance from their state.

In order to get unemployment benefits, you must:first meet the base period, which is a requirement for wages earned during a set amount of time.  These periods and other requirements vary from state to state.  Your unemployment must not have resulted from your own actions. 

Contact your state's unemployment office to file an unemployment insurance claim.  You can receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.  An additional 20 weeks of extended benefits are available during times of high state unemployment.