Everything you need to know if you've recently been laid off and are applying for unemployment benefits

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• A record 6.6 million people applied for unemployment benefits in the week ending March 28 as the coronavirus outbreak continued to batter the US economy.
• The Department of Labor has issued new guidance to states regarding unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
• And a new $2.2 trillion stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump on March 27 will boost weekly benefits by $600.
• Business Insider has compiled some key information you need to know about applying for unemployment benefits, whether you've been laid off, furloughed, or your hours were severely reduced.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

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As the coronavirus outbreak batters the US economy, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits has reached historic highs.

A record 6.6 million people applied for benefits in the week ending March 28, doubling the prior week's record and far exceeding the previous record of nearly 700,000 newly filed jobless claims set in 1982. To try to keep up with the demand, the US Department of Labor has issued new guidance to states regarding unemployment benefits during the pandemic. And the new $2.2 trillion stimulus bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27 will boost individuals' weekly benefits by $600.

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

Unemployment insurance is a program that's jointly run by the state and federal government, so while the application procedure can vary by state, the overall process and eligibility requirements are more or less the same.

Here's what you need to know.