Unemployment claims increased dramatically in the wake of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. In an effort to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly virus, non-essential businesses were forced to change how they do business, which led many business owners to downsize their staffs through layoffs or furloughs.

Many people who were laid off or furloughed in March or April were forced to file unemployment claims for the first time. Filing for unemployment benefits can be difficult, especially given the substantial increase in the number of people filing in 2020. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that about 26.5 million workers filed jobless claims in a fiveweek period between mid-March and mid-April, while Statistics Canada reported a sharp spike in the country's unemployment rate in roughly the same period. Filing for unemployment can be frustrating, but laid off or furloughed workers can take certain steps to make the process less stressful.

· Determine your eligibility. Eligibility requirements may have changed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, in March, the U.S. DOL granted states more flexibility in regard to who can receive unemployment benefits. Eligibility can be confirmed by contacting your local unemployment insurance program.

· Determine what you need to file. Learning what you need to file before attempting to do so can make the process less frustrating. The items necessary to file are not universal, so visit the website of your local unemployment office to determine what you need. For example, you may need copies of a photo ID, addresses of past employers and certain forms before you can file. Learning these requirements before filing can ensure your application is not delayed or denied.

· Prepare to be patient. Depending on where you live, getting in touch with an unemployment insurance program representative can take days, if not weeks. For example, many unemployed workers in the state of New York reported spending full days on hold before finally getting through to begin their claim. Websites also crashed due to enormous spikes in visitors. The process can be frustrating, but knowing you must remain patient ahead of time can make it easier to confront long wait times. Workers who were able to file also must remain patient, as understaffed unemployment offices are processing claims as quickly as possible. Calling to ask about a filed claim may only delay things further, as it forces employees to divert their attention from new and existing claims.

· Document everything you're doing. Documenting everything may help unemployed workers eventually collect benefits on their claims. Keep a log of all calls or emails, whether you spoke to someone or not. Include who you spoke with when you got through, and briefly summarize each conversation in your log. Documentation may not help you get your benefits more quickly, but the paper trail may benefit you in the long run. When trying to get through via an office website, take screenshots to serve as documentation of your efforts.

Millions of people have filed for unemployment benefits in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Learning how to navigate the process before filing can make it go more smoothly.