If a person has been laid off or, in certain circumstances fired or forced to quit their job, he/she is allowed to apply for unemployment benefits. An unemployed person may apply for benefits by phone or email, or in person at a local unemployment office. The potential recipient of benefits must have a valid reason for not working, have earned a certain amount of wages over a specified period of time, be available to work, and be actively seeking employment. However, he/she must prove that they have applied for work in at least three different places over three days. A person may be denied unemployment compensation if it is proven that he/she was fired for negligence on the job or persistent absence, lack of a pink slip, or if he/she voluntarily quit working for an invalid reason.