Can I collect unemployment benefits ?   Are you still working ?   My employer cut back on my hours .   If you got laid off or are working a lot fewer hours , you may qualify .   Do I definitely get to collect unemployment ?   Not all jobs pay into unemployment insurance , so their employees cannot collect benefits .   How do I check out my status to collect unemployment ?   You should have noticed unemployment insurance being deducted from your paycheck . Check your pay stubs . 