It depends. In many jurisdictions, workers who lose their job can apply for—and often receive—unemployment benefits coverage for a certain period of time. However, there is usually an exception for workers who engaged in so-called “willful misconduct.” There are also exceptions for those who willingly leave jobs and for those who are principally self-employed (own their own business). Thus, if you are fired from your job due to a typical reduction-in-force or because of a general layoff, you likely can receive unemployment benefit coverage for a period of time. However, if you were fired for stealing employer property, then you are unlikely to receive unemployment benefit coverage.