So you've lost your job. What should you do now?

Well, if you've been laid off or downsized, your job's been outsourced or you're unemployed through no fault of your own, you might want to get to a computer - any computer connected to the Internet - and go to in.gov/dwd.

That's the Web site for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and that's the place where you start the process of filing for unemployment benefits. There, you'll find a tutorial that lays out everything you need to know to file. After you fill out the form there, the state will evaluate your claim.

"This is an insurance system," said Marc Lotter, communications director for Indiana Workforce Development. "It's not a benefit system where you're automatically eligible."

Unemployment must be claimed on a weekly basis. That is, you have to go back to the Web site and attest each week that you are able to work, you were available if called upon and you actively looked for a job. You also have to report income earned the previous week and name three places you looked for work. And you must post your resume on IndianaCareerConnect. com, which employers check to find suitable workers.

The form on the Workforce Web site to start the process takes 20-25 minutes to fill out, beginning with creating a user name and password and continuing through work history, reason for dismissal, salary and so on.

You'll need to submit: • Complete name and address • Social Security number • Your most recent employer's name and address • The dates you worked for your most recent employer • The reason you are unemployed

It's extremely important to be careful when you enter information. Typographical errors and wrong information can delay your claim. (See sidebar for common mistakes people make.)

About 10 days after you file, you'll receive a wage statement that lays out how much you're eligible to receive in benefits. The figure is based on how much you had been earning. The minimum benefit is $75 a week; the maximum is $415 a week, which is paid to those who had earned at least $37,000 a year. The average is $315 a week.

All amounts were increased by $25 a week as part of the federal economic stimulus package.

The wage statement doesn't mean you'll be receiving benefits; it takes the state up to 21 days to verify the information on your application and determine whether you're eligible.

You don't receive benefits for the first week you're unemployed - that's state law - but you should fill out the voucher right away. If it takes three weeks to process your claim, you will receive retroactive benefits.

Benefits are paid out through a VISA debit card. You can use it like a regular debit card - which may cost you in standard bank fees - or transfer the money on the card to your bank account.

The state guarantees unemployment for up to 26 weeks. After that, the federal government picks up your benefits for as long as 46 additional weeks. So you can be covered with at least some income for as long as 72 weeks.

Next week: Free help available to get unemployed back to

work.

Marc D. Allan was a newspaper reporter from 1980-2004, including 16 years at the Indianapolis Star. He now works in University Relations at Butler University in Indianapolis and freelances regularly for various publications.

Five common problems that delay unemployment claims:

1. Typos. Take your time. Read the form carefully and doublecheck your entries. If you submit the wrong Social Security number, date of birth or other information, you cannot change it yourself on the computer. You'll need to go to a state WorkOne Center or try to get through on the phone. 2. Qualifying factors. To receive benefits, you have to have been dismissed through no fault of your own. If you quit or are fired for just cause, such as poor performance or wrongdoing, you most likely are not eligible. 3. Income. If you're receiving severance, vacation or holiday pay, or you're getting 401(k) payments, you will receive less in unemployment benefits because that money is considered income. 4. Are you able and available to work? If you're not, you won't receive benefits. 5. Employer's name. You must know the official name your former employer does business under. (Check your pay stub for the correct name.)