The federal government has played an unprecedented role in propping up the unemployment insurance program over the past year.
But for Americans who’ve lost their jobs — many thanks to the pandemic — the process still runs through the state unemployment office where they live. And while the unemployment rate is dropping, new claims continue to be filed and millions more have already crossed the line into long-term unemployment.
Every state operates differently, so what works for some Americans to get benefits they are owed doesn’t for others. Some unemployed workers decide the hassle of navigating their state system isn’t worth the benefits they could qualify for, leaving money on the table that could help when times are tough.
While every state runs its own unemployment insurance program, several national programs enacted over the past year have provided extra support.
Most recently, the American Rescue Plan extended key federal unemployment insurance programs and an extra $300 per week in unemployment pay until Sept. 6, 2021. These federal programs include the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA).
The PEUC program provides for states to extend benefits to people who have already used up their maximum available state benefits, while the PUA program allows workers who wouldn’t normally qualify for unemployment — like self-employed and gig workers — to collect benefits. But it all still starts with your state unemployment office.
Whether you’re filing for the first time, or trying to stay on top of previously filed claims, we’ve put together the information you need to get in touch with your state unemployment office, and help make your claims go as smoothly as possible:
What Do You Need to File for Unemployment?
You’ll need some basic personal and work history information to file for unemployment. While individual states might vary in what is required to file for unemployment benefits, the following documents/information are standard:
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license or state ID
- Detailed employment history from the past 18 months (company/employer name, address, start/end dates, total number of days/hours worked)
Gathering and preparing this information before you file will save you time and make it simpler to file your claim. If you are filing by phone, it’s even more important to get this information ready ahead of time — along with anything else your state requires — as state unemployment offices can be difficult to reach via phone.
How to File for Unemployment In Every State
State unemployment office websites can be old and difficult to navigate, so we tried to find the most applicable links and phone numbers for people looking to file a new unemployment claim or check on an existing one.
Use this information as a starting point to find the information you need for your state, but you’ll likely benefit from some additional reading and research about your state’s unemployment insurance processes before you file. For example, some states will automatically apply extra federal unemployment benefits according to individual eligibility, while other states require people to file separate claims for the different extra benefits.
Unemployment offices have been overwhelmed by new claims over the past year, and a common theme from our reporting is how you’ll need to be your own biggest advocate in pursuing benefits you are eligible for. If you have trouble reaching someone to help file or check on an existing unemployment claim, consider checking Facebook, Reddit, and other social media sites for groups and communities of unemployed workers where tips about getting through to local offices are shared.
Here are the best links and phone numbers we could find to file and check on unemployment claims. Many of these phone numbers, and even some online filing applications, are only available during normal weekday business hours. Some states recommend different methods for filing or checking on existing claims, so start there, when applicable.
Alabama
- General information: https://labor.alabama.gov/
- File online: https://initialclaims.labor.alabama.gov/
- Phone: 866-234-5382
- More contact information: 800-361-4524
Alaska
- General information: https://my.alaska.gov/
- File online: https://my.alaska.gov/adfs/ls/?wa=wsignin1.0&wtrealm=https%3a%2f%2fsts.dol.alaska.gov%2fadfs%2fservices%2ftrust&wctx=da04a45c-10dc-4934-bb20-08b8c449fc76&wct=2021-04-24T15%3a05%3a25Z&client-request-id=8d25c76e-4e0b-4288-0311-0080010000da
- Phone: 907-465-2712, 888-252-2557 (toll free only for areas with underserved broadband internet service)
- More contact information: 866-377-0126 (help desk), 907-269-4700 or auicc@alaska.gov
- (Anchorage), 907-465-5552 or juicc@alaska.gov (Juneau), 907-451-2871 (Fairbanks)
Arizona
- General information: https://des.az.gov/services/employment/unemployment-individual/apply-ui-benefits
- File online: https://uiclaims.azdes.gov/
- Phone: 877-600-2722, 602-364-2722 (Phoenix), 520-791-2722 (Tucson)
- More contact information: 877-766-8477, 602-417-3800 (Phoenix), 520-884-8477 (Tucson)
Arkansas
- General information: https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/
- File online: https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov/
- Phone: 501-907-2590
- More contact information: 855-225-4440, 501-682-2121, ADWS.Info@arkansas.gov
California
- General information: https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm
- File online: https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/create-account.htm
- Phone: 800-300-5616, 866-333-4606
- More contact information: 800-300-5616, 866-333-4606
Colorado
- General information: https://cdle.colorado.gov/unemployment/file-a-claim
- File online: https://myui.clouduim.cdle.state.co.us/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX
- Phone: 303-318-8000
- More contact information: 303-536-5615
Connecticut
- General information: https://portal.ct.gov/DOLUI
- File online: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-OnLine/BlueWolf/index.htm
- Phone: 860-263-6000
- More contact information: 203-941-6868, 860-967-0493, 800-956-3294
Delaware
- General information: https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/unemployment-insurance/
- Online: https://uics.delawareworks.com/Forms/Form_WL1
- Phone: 302-761-8446
- More contact information: uiclaims@delaware.gov, 302-368-6600 (Newark), 302-739-5461 (Dover), 302-856-5611 (Georgetown)
District of Columbia
- General information: https://does.dc.gov/service/unemployment-compensation-process
- File online: https://does.dcnetworks.org/InitialClaims/
- Phone: 202-724-7000
- More contact information: 202-724-7000, does@dc.gov
Florida
- General information: http://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/general-information
- File online: http://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants
- Phone: 800-204-2418
- More contact information: 833-352-7759
Georgia
- General information: https://dol.georgia.gov/individuals/unemployment-benefits
- File online: https://dol.georgia.gov/file-unemployment-insurance-claim
- Phone: 404-232-3001
- More contact information: 877-709-8185, https://dol.georgia.gov/email-us
Guam
- General information: https://dol.guam.gov/unemployment/
- Phone: 671-475-7000
- More contact information: 671) 735-0515, PUA.hotline@dol.guam.gov, rapidresponse@dol.guam.gov, pua.documents@dol.guam.gov
Hawaii
- General information: http://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/
- File online: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/
- Phone: 833-901-2272, 808-762-5751, 833-901-2275, 808-762-5752
- More contact information: http://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact/ (regional office contact information)
Idaho
- General information: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Unemployment-Benefits
- File online: https://www2.labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal/Login
- Phone: 208-332-8942
- More contact information: https://www.labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Local-Office-Directory (regional office contact information)
Illinois
- General information: https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/individuals/UnemploymentInsurance/Pages/default.aspx
- File online: https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/pages/file-a-claim.aspx
- Phone: 800-244-5631
Indiana
- General information: https://www.in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/
- File online: https://www.in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/file/
- Phone: 800-298-6650
- More contact information: 800-891-6499, AskUIContactCenter@dwd.IN.gov
Iowa
- General information: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/file-claim-unemployment-insurance-benefits
- File online: https://uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/UIInitialClaim/
- Phone: 866-239-0843
Kansas
- General information: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx
- File online: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/BenefitsStartMenu.aspx
- Phone: 800-292-6333
- More contact information: KDOL.EmploymentStandards@ks.gov, 785-575-1460 (Topeka), 913-596-3500 (Kansas City), 316-383-9947 (Wichita), 785-291-6100 (general)
Kentucky
- General information: https://kcc.ky.gov/career/If-you-are-Unemployed/Pages/default.aspx
- File online: https://uiclaimsportal.ky.gov/s/
- Phone: 502-875-0442
- More contact information: UIassistance@ky.gov, 502-564-2900, 877-369-5984
Louisiana
- General information: https://www.louisianaworks.net/hire/vosnet/Default.aspx
- File online: https://www.louisianaworks.net/hire/vosnet/registration/ind/uiclaim.aspx
- Phone: 866-783-5567
- More contact information: HiRE@lwc.la.gov
Maine
- General information: https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/claimants/
- File online: https://reemployme.maine.gov/accessme/faces/login/login.xhtml
- Phone: 800-593-7660
- More contact information: 207-623-7900, 207-621-5101
Maryland
- General information: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml
- File online: https://beacon.labor.maryland.gov/
- Phone: 667-207-6520
- More contact information: 410-949-0022, 800-827-4839
Massachusetts
- General information: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
- File online: https://uionline.detma.org/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX
- Phone: 877-626-6800
- More contact information: 617-626-6338
Michigan
- General information: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-94422_97241—,00.html
- File online: https://miwam.unemployment.state.mi.us/ClmMiWAM/_/
- Phone: 866-500-0017
- More contact information: 866-638-3993
Minnesota
- General information: https://www.uimn.org/applicants/index.jsp
- File online: https://www1.uimn.org/ui_applicant/applicant/login.do
- Phone: 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities), 877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota)
Mississippi
- General information: https://www.mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claims/claims-information/
- File online: https://accessms.mdes.ms.gov/accessms/faces/login/login.xhtml
- Phone: 601-493-9427
- More contact information: benefitpay@mdes.ms.gov, 601-321-6000, 601-326-1119
Missouri
- General information: https://labor.mo.gov/unemployed-workers
- File online: https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/home.do#
- Phone: 800-735-2966
- More contact information: https://dolir-claims-contact.azurewebsites.net/claimantform, 573-751-9040 (Jefferson City), 816-889-3101 (Kansas City), 314-340-4950 (St. Louis), 417-895-6851 (Springfield), 800-320-2519 (other areas)
Montana
- General information: https://uid.dli.mt.gov/
- Phone: 406-444-2545
- More contact information: UIClaims@mt.gov
Nebraska
- General information: https://dol.nebraska.gov/UIBenefits
- File online: https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx
- Phone: 402-471-0016
- More contact information: https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/ContactUs.aspx?tab=4 (includes contact information to follow up with local/regional offices)
Nevada
- General information: https://ui.nv.gov/css.html
- File online: https://secure.ui.nv.gov/CSSReg/CSSCreateAccount.htm
- Phone: 800-326-6868
- More contact information: INTERNETHELP@detr.nv.gov, 775-684-0350 (Northern Nevada), 702-486-0350 (Southern Nevada), 888-890-8211 (rural areas, out of state callers)
New Hampshire
- General information: https://www.nhes.nh.gov/services/claimants/index.htm
- File online: https://wfc.nhes.nh.gov/auth/sso/login;jsessionid=4FCB3B0A5FF444BA0A4DD8ED1EFFA3E7?execution=e1s1
- Phone: 603-224-3311, 800-852-3400
- More contact information: https://www.nhes.nh.gov/locations/index.htm (contact information for local/regional offices)
New Jersey
- General information: https://www.myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/before/about/
- File online: https://secure.dol.state.nj.us/sso/XUI/?realm=ui&_ga=2.42503205.1609193605.1619286279-1000815223.1619286279#register/
- Phone: 201-601-4100 (North New Jersey), 732-761-2020 (Central New Jersey), 856-507-2340 (South New Jersey), 888-795-6672 (out-of-state claims)
- More contact information: https://lwdwebpt.dol.state.nj.us/ClaimStatus/claimStatus.htm;jsessionid=XeFDWw2nY9JqWozbw-icRAJ4, https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=0cN2UAI4n0uzauCkG9ZCp8zTKxTpe0RMmjY7qrMr_3BUOFlVUklYTzhDQjlWR0NaMVk1NjBQODJDWCQlQCN0PWcu
New Mexico
- General information: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/
- File online: https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/vosnet/Default.aspx
- Phone: 877-664-6984
- More contact information: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Office-Locations (contact information for local/regional offices)
New York
- General information: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/unemployment-insurance-assistance
- File online: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/file-your-first-claim-benefits
- Phone: 888-209-8124
- More contact information: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment-insurance-contact (contact information, https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/02/p837.pdf (information on how to submit a message)
North Carolina
- General information: https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment/before-you-apply
- File online: https://fed.des.nc.gov/ofis/citizen/pages/public/SelfRegStart.aspx
- Phone: 888-737-0259
- More contact information: https://des.nc.gov/customer-contact-form, 888-737-0259, assistantsecretary@nccommerce.com
North Dakota
- General information: https://www.jobsnd.com/unemployment-individuals
- File online: https://www.jobsnd.com/unemployment-individuals/file-claim
- Phone: 701-328-4995
- More contact information: 701-328-2825, https://www.jobsnd.com/job-seeker/office-locations (contact information for local/regional offices)
Ohio
- General information: https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/employee/
- File online: https://cares.unemployment.ohio.gov/
- Phone: 877-644-6562
- More contact information: 877-644-6562, https://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/pdf/UI-POC-phone-list.pdf
Oklahoma
- General information: https://oklahoma.gov/oesc.html
- File online: https://ui.ok.gov/
- Phone: 800-555-1554
- More contact information: 405-525-1500, 405-557-7100 (contact information for local/regional offices), 866-320-8699 or www.goprogram.com (payment questions)
Oregon
- General information: https://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/Unemployment/Pages/default.aspx
- File online: https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/index.cfm?u=F20161026A115006B48721263.5255&lang=E
- Phone: 877-345-3484
- More contact information: 877-345-3484, UI_Info@oregon.gov, https://unemployment.oregon.gov/contact-us#submit-a-message-through-our-contact-us-form, https://unemployment.oregon.gov/workers/check-on-my-claim
Pennsylvania
- General information: https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/Pages/default.aspx
- File online: https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/File%20an%20Initial%20Claim.aspx
- Phone: 888-255-4728
- More contact information: 888-313-7284, 833-755-0882, UChelp@pa.gov, https://www.paclaims.pa.gov/ucen/LoginClaimStatus.asp
Puerto Rico
- General information: https://desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov/reclamantes/(S(44lizi3rutorwf5fhmzb1gl1))/SolicitudInicio.aspx
- File online: https://www.trabajo.pr.gov/desempleo_en_linea.asp
- Phone: https://www.servicelocator.org/search/Puerto_Rico_ES_Addresses.asp (contact information for local/regional offices)
Rhode Island
- General information: https://dlt.ri.gov/ui/
- File online: https://dltweb.dlt.ri.gov/uipua/
- Phone: 401-415-6772
South Carolina
- General information: https://www.dew.sc.gov/applying-benefits
- File online: https://scuihub.dew.sc.gov/CSS/CSSLogon.htm;CSSJSESSIONID=SXgJK5KsPhnknK6X38dwKCWS0iLUSVW-JNiM6Rj8fX2UOc2pHw04!-403037116!1700497456
- Phone: 866-831-1724 (in-state claims), 800-529-8339 (out-of-state claims)
South Dakota
- General information: https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/default.aspx
- File online: https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/individuals/file_claim.aspx
- Phone: 605-626-3179
- More contact information: 605-626-2452, https://dlr.sd.gov/staff_directory.aspx#ui (additional contact information, and to send email)
Tennessee
- General information: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment.html
- File online: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment/apply-for-benefits-redirect-2/online-application.html
- Phone: 844-224-5818
- More contact information: https://apps.tdlwd.tn.gov/UIClaimTracking/views/claimSearch.jsf;jsessionid=eFFT28JgMxkCtRSMKPyyK9f1 (check claim status), https://www.tn.gov/workforce/contact/directory.html (additional contact information)
Texas
- General information: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services
- File online: https://login.apps.twc.state.tx.us/UBS/changeLocale.do?language=en&country=US&page=/security/logon.do
- Phone: 800-939-6631
- More contact information: 512-463-2222, 800-628-5115, 800-558-8321, laborinfo@twc.state.tx.us
U.S. Virgin Islands
- General information: https://www.vidol.gov/unemployment-insurance-overview/
- File online: https://myuiclaim.vi.gov/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F
- Phone: 340-773-1440 (St. Croix), 340-776-3700 (other islands)
- More contact information: 340-773-1994 (St. Croix), 340-776-3700 (St. Thomas)
Utah
- General information: https://jobs.utah.gov/ui/home/
- File online: https://jobs.utah.gov/ui/home/initialclaims
- Phone: 801-526-4400 (Salt Lake and South Davis Counties), 801-612-0877 (Weber and North Davis Counties), 801-375-4067 (Utah County), 888-848-0688 (elsewhere and out of state)
Vermont
- General information: https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance/
- File online: https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance/initial-application
- Phone: 877-214-3330, 888-807-7072
- More contact information: 877-214-3332, 802-828-4000
Virginia
- General information: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed
- File online: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/online-services/apply-for-unemployment-benefits
- Phone: 866-832-2363 (new claims), 800-897-5630 (weekly claims)
- More contact information: 800-897-5630, https://www.vec.virginia.gov/find-a-job/vec-local-offices (local/regional office directory)
Washington
- General information: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment
- File online: https://secure.esd.wa.gov/home/
- Phone: 800-318-6022
- More contact information: 855-682-0785, https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployed-workers-contact (additional contact information)
West Virginia
- General information: https://workforcewv.org/unemployment
- File online: https://uc.workforcewv.org/consumer/?lang=en
- Phone: 800-252-JOBS
- More contact information: https://uc.workforcewv.org/Contact.aspx (contact information for local/regional offices)
Wisconsin
- General information: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/
- File online: https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov/Claimant/Logon/TermsAndConditions
- Phone: 414-435-7069, 844-910-3661
- More contact information: 608-266-3131
Wyoming
- General information: http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/workers/ui/
- File online: https://wyui.wyo.gov/benefits/home.do
- Phone: 307-473-3789 (in-state claims), 866-729-7799 (out-of-state claims)
- More contact information: 307-235-3264
Other Unemployment and Relief Resources
We’ve covered unemployment and other aspects of economic challenges faced by Americans since the pandemic began. Here are some of our past stories that contain information that may be helpful if you’re filing for unemployment:
- The Pandemic Created a ‘Perfect Storm’ for Unemployment Fraud. Here’s How You Can Stay Protected
- The IRS Just Made It a Lot Simpler to Get the Unemployment Tax Break. Here’s What You Need to Know
- The CDC’s Ban on Evictions Just Got Extended Until June 30. Here’s How to Claim Protection
- Why Millions of Unemployed Workers Never Claim the Benefits They’re Owed
- Unemployed Americans Are Still Struggling to Get Their Benefits. Here’s What Can Be Done About It
- As More Americans Slip Into Long-Term Unemployment, They Face a New Set of Challenges
- New Unemployment Benefits, Stimulus Signed Into Law. Payment Could Be Headed Your Way ‘Within Weeks’
- Millions of Adult Dependents Qualify for Stimulus After Missing Last Year’s Payments. Here’s How to Get Your Money
