An unemployment phone interview is sometimes necessary to determine whether a claimant is eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) after separating from a full- or part-time job. This process includes an unemployment interview with claimant, as well as a meeting with any of the applicant’s most recent employers. During an unemployment interview with a claimant, UI agencies gather information from the applicant to help them resolve any outstanding eligibility issues or unclear application information. For instance, a claimant unemployment interview may include questions about recent job refusals or the petitioner’s previous dates of employment. However, an unemployment interview with employer is also necessary to verify this information. After completing the employer unemployment interview, the State UI Agency will determine whether a working senior is eligible for benefits or not. A claimant may prepare for the unemployment insurance interview to increase his or her chances of receiving unemployment compensation. To learn more about the various questions asked during unemployment interview phone calls and in-person meetings, you can download our helpful free guide. To learn more about how to pass the unemployment insurance interview, elderly applicants for UI benefits review the information below.

Why is an unemployment phone interview necessary?

State UI Agencies may conduct unemployment phone interviews (known as fact-finding interviews in some states) to resolve any outstanding issues with UI eligibility requirements before accepting or denying a working senior citizen’s application for unemployment compensation. During a senior unemployment interview, UI Agencies gather information from elderly workers who wish to obtain unemployment benefits as well as any recent employers who are familiar with the specific case. It is important to prepare for the unemployment insurance interview by gathering any necessary documentation ahead of time, as failure to do so may result in the denial of unemployment compensation. For instance, claimant unemployment interviews may be necessary in the following situations:

• A claimant does not meet standard eligibility requirements
• A petitioner quit his or her previous job or was fired for cause
• An employer denies a claimant’s unemployment insurance claim
• A claimant refuses to accept a new job offer without “good cause”
• A claimant’s availability or ability to accept new work is unclear

Learning how to prepare for the unemployment insurance interview is equally as important as understanding the application process for unemployment assistance, so it is essential that seniors looking for benefits understand the procedure from beginning to end.

When is my senior unemployment phone interview?

Unemployment interviews with senior claimants are typically scheduled by a state’s Unemployment Insurance Agencies. A notice for an unemployment phone interview or in-person meeting is sent to claimants prior to the scheduled appointment. After receiving the notice for a senior unemployment phone interview or in-person meeting, claimants must ensure that they are available to meet during the scheduled time, as failure to report for the interview may result in the denial of UI benefits. Furthermore, the senior unemployment insurance interview notice will indicate the date and time of the meeting and may include sample interview questions as well. To prepare for the unemployment insurance interview, claimants must study the provided sample questions and gather any necessary information to help them provide accurate answers during the scheduled meeting. By properly preparing for the UI phone interview process, a claimant can help make their path to unemployment assistance simpler and less stressful.

How to Prepare for the Unemployment Insurance Interview as a Former Employee

An unemployment interview with claimants includes a series of questions to help State Unemployment Insurance Agencies determine whether working seniors are eligible to obtain UI benefits or not. For this reason, claimant unemployment interviews are also known as fact-finding interviews, as these meetings help State Unemployment Insurance Agencies decide whether to accept or reject applications for UI compensation. For instance, the interview may include questions about a claimant’s separation from work and ability to return to work. To prepare for the unemployment insurance interview, however, working seniors may keep a record of their job-seeking activities, gather evidence to support their claims or obtain witnesses to speak on their behalf. To learn more about how to pass the unemployment insurance interview as an employee and to obtain sample interview questions, download our helpful guide.

How to Prepare for the Unemployment Insurance Interview as an Employer

While employees need to prepare for the senior unemployment insurance interview if they wish to receive unemployment compensation, it is important for employers to prepare themselves as well, especially if they wish to begin the employer process for protesting an unemployment claim. If employers do not prepare for an unemployment phone interview, they may need to pay for a claimant’s unemployment benefits, even if they do not agree with the decision. Since many of the questions asked during unemployment interviews pertain to the claimant who wishes to obtain UI benefits, it is important that the interviewee be familiar with the claimant’s specific case, including his or her eligibility issues and reasons for separating from work. To help employers prepare for the unemployment insurance interview, they may conduct exit interviews whenever an employee voluntarily quits or is laid off from the company, as doing so provides employers with evidence of work separation in the event of an unemployment case.