You can apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you lose your job or your hours are significantly reduced. It is best to apply immediately after losing your job to start the process sooner. However, the actual unemployment benefits typically do not start until about two weeks after your last pay date because of processing times and a waiting period that applies in many states. After you apply, you will need to file weekly claims for each week you want to receive benefits. Processing your initial claim can take a few weeks, often around 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the state and the complexity of the claim. You usually serve a one-week unpaid waiting period before you receive your first benefit payment. In summary:

• Apply immediately after job loss.
• Benefits usually start about 1 to 2 weeks after your last work/pay date.
• Processing time can be 3 to 6 weeks before you start receiving payments.
• You must file weekly claims to continue receiving benefits.

This general timeline applies to many states in the U.S., but there are some variations by state, so it is good to check with your specific state's unemployment office for exact details.