Unemployment Benefits Finder Help

Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides unemployment benefits, usually in the form of weekly payments, to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own, and meet certain other eligibility requirements. UI is administered jointly by the U.S. Department of Labor and individual states.

Each state develops their own system for delivering unemployment benefits. Find details at your state’s unemployment insurance office.

First, select your state in the Unemployment Benefits Finder, and follow the links to find details of your state’s program. You'll see information about how to file in your state.

Scam alert: CareerOneStop has been notified of a fraudulent use of the name CareerOneStop in messages and emails asking users to pay money to file for unemployment benefits or apply for a job. Please note that CareerOneStop (or any state or federal Unemployment Insurance program) will never charge a fee to provide information or file an application for benefits.

You should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, contact the state unemployment agency in the state where you now live for information about how to file your claim with other states.

States have different requirements for unemployment recipients to prove they are ready to work. To find your state’s requirements, visit your state’s Unemployment Insurance website and look for an FAQ page, or search for ”register for work". If you have trouble finding the information, contact your local American Job Center. You can also check your state’s job bank to see if registration there is required.

If you’ve filed your claim and haven’t received payment when you expected it, you should start by logging in to your account and checking to see if there are any notices for you about information they may be waiting on. If you don’t see anything, visit your state’s unemployment insurance website and look for information on how to follow up on your claim.

Even if you aren’t receiving expected payments, it’s important that you continue to file claims each week you are unemployed, so will be eligible to collect your full benefits.

Most self-employed workers, independent contractors, and freelancers are not eligible for unemployment benefits because they have not paid into an unemployment insurance program. There are a few exceptions in some states. You can check with your state for specific details.

Most states have a non-paid waiting-week requirement when you don't receive benefits, but you should visit your state’s unemployment insurance website and find the FAQs to find their policy.

You should immediately file a fraud report if you think someone may have filed for unemployment in your name. Visit your state’s unemployment insurance website and search for information on fraud. Some states have a hotline you can call, some have a form to fill out, and some have other methods for reporting fraud. You should file a report even if you are not sure that someone has filed or tried to file.

Each state has rules for how long you can collect unemployment. Visit your state’s unemployment insurance website to find out how many weeks you ae eligible for.

Some people who have been furloughed are eligible for unemployment insurance and some are not. It depends on both your state’s rules, and your employer’s definition of “furlough.” If you aren’t sure if you are eligible, you should file a claim at your state’s unemployment insurance website.

In many cases, you can continue to receive at least partial unemployment benefits if you return to work part-time. Each state sets their own rules. Visit your state’s unemployment insurance website to find information on your state’s rules.

No you do not have to repay your unemployment benefit payments (unless you are convicted of fraudulently receiving them), but you do have to report them as income on your tax return.

Many states offer the option of receiving your benefits on a pre-paid debit card. This means they will issue you a card and they will pay your benefits as a balance on the card; you can then use the card wherever debit cards are accepted.

States that offer this option usually also offer the option of having your payments deposited directly to a bank account. If you have a bank account, experts advise that you select this option. It’s safer because you can lose a debit card and someone else can use your funds.

If you had your benefits loaded on to a debit card but you have not received the card, you need to check your state’s unemployment insurance website to find out how to follow up. Many states use a third party provider for the debit cards so you may need to contact them instead of your state’s unemployment insurance office.

You have to report your unemployment benefit payments as income on your federal and (in most states) state tax returns.

In most states, yes, you can. However, a handful of states have rules that might reduce your unemployment benefits if you also receive social security. Check your state’s Unemployment Insurance website to learn your state's laws.