After applying for unemployment benefits, you need to file a claim the next week to begin receiving benefits. File a claim each week you want to receive benefits.
For claims, a week is Sunday through Saturday. You cannot claim for a week until it is over.
How to file a claim
You can file claims online or by phone.
File online
The fastest way to file a claim is to log in to eServices.
- After logging in, you will see a message in "Account alerts."
- Select 'You have a UI weekly claim to file' and follow the directions.
Learn more in the eServices User Guide (PDF, 1207KB).
File by phone
Call us at 800-318-6022 to file a claim by phone. You may either:
- Use the automated phone system.
- Speak with a claims agent.
See our contact information for current hours.
Your first weekly claim
The first week you claim and are eligible for is your "waiting week." You will not receive unemployment benefits for your waiting week. If you are eligible, you will start receiving benefits after filing your second weekly claim. Read about basic eligibility requirements.
If you already did a waiting week this year
You need to do only one waiting week within the same benefit year.
If you applied for benefits later in the week
If you applied for benefits later in the week (for example, Thursday or Friday), give us 2 business days to process your application before filing your first weekly claim.
Backdating a weekly claim
You may backdate a claim by 1 week when you apply for benefits online. If you request to backdate by more than 1 week, we will ask you for more information.
When to file a claim
- File online claims between 12 a.m. on Sunday and 11:59 p.m. on Saturday.
- Use our automated phone system from 12 a.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Friday (unless Friday is a holiday).
- Speak with a claims agent 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except on holidays).
The best time to call
We get the most calls at 8 a.m. and from 12 to 2 p.m. If you have trouble filing by phone, you can try:
- Using the automated phone system before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Filing your claim online.
File weekly claims while waiting
You should file a claim each week, even if you are waiting to:
- Find out if you qualify for benefits.
- Have wages and hours added to your claim.
- Appeal a denial of benefits.
Fixing mistakes with your claim
If you make a mistake while filing your weekly claim, you may start over any time before you hear or see, "Your claim has been accepted."
If you already filed your weekly claim, call 800-318-6022 and speak to a claims agent. If you do not contact us to correct your error, we may deny your benefits and you will need to pay back benefits you were not eligible for. To learn more, read about overpayments.
Reporting pay for time off
When filing a claim, you need to tell us about certain types of payments you have received or expect to receive for the week.
Holiday pay
Report holiday pay when you claim the week when that holiday happened. Do not wait until you are paid for the holiday to report it.
Vacation pay
You do not need to report a cash-out of vacation pay not related to any specific dates you claimed.
If you used your vacation pay for specific days during a week you claimed, it is deductible and you need to report it. Make sure to report it for the week(s) you took vacation days. Do not wait until you are paid for the vacation to report it.
Reporting pay related to your job loss
Report any pay you receive or are entitled to because you lost your job. These include severance pay, pay in lieu of notice and termination pay.
Severance pay
Severance pay does not usually affect your unemployment benefits. We consider payments as severance pay when:
- The payments are not assigned to any period after your date of separation from your employer.
- You are not on call or required to be available to your employer to receive the pay.
- Your last job's benefits (such as vacation days, retirement benefits and sick days) do not continue to accrue.
- You accept a new job and it does not affect your severance pay.
Termination pay and pay in lieu of notice
Termination pay is pay you get for a period after your last day of work, but before your actual separation from employment.
Pay in lieu of notice is pay you get if employer does not give you advance notice of your termination as agreed.
If you receive these types of payments during a week you claim, you need to report them when filing your claim.