Our top priority is paying unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Application processing averages 5 to 6 weeks. If you quit or were fired, determining eligibility averages 8 to 9 weeks.
Actions you can take to speed up the process
Be sure your application is complete. Incomplete applications take longer.
Use this checklist to be sure you provide all required information.
If information is missing or what you provide is different than what your employer provides, we will need to contact you or the employer. This extends the process while we allow time for everyone to respond.
Keep your contact information up to date. Answer as soon as possible if we contact you for more information.
If we need more information or have questions, make sure we can reach you. Add Employment Security’s claims center phone number to your approved callers list to avoid missing our calls.
Check the status of your application or weekly claim through your online account.
Use your eServices account to find real-time updates during the process. If you need help accessing your account, please contact technical support for eServices.
Get answers to frequently asked questions.
You can find answers to most questions online. When we receive fewer calls, we have more time to process claims and get benefits paid faster. Check the following resources:
- Unemployment benefits section of this website.
- Unemployed worker’s handbook.
- Your eServices account.
File weekly claims while we process your application or previous weeks.
Submit weekly claims even while waiting to hear if you are eligible.
When we have confirmed eligibility, we usually send payments within 3-5 days of reviewing your weekly claim.
The first week you claim benefits and are eligible is your waiting week. Benefits are not paid for your waiting week.
If we have questions about a weekly claim, we will reach out to you. Be sure to check your email or voicemail frequently so you can reply to us as quickly as possible.
Keep in mind that while demand for unemployment benefits has increased, claims center staffing has not.
We understand how stressful it can be when you apply for unemployment benefits. We are paying benefits to more than 60,000 customers each month. We are working hard to take good care of each of our customers.