The system will ask if you are ready, willing and able to work, and have been actively looking for work, every week you certify for benefits. The government issues its August jobs report on Friday, with economists expecting that U.S. employers added a slim 80,000 private non-farm jobs. Losing your job or having your hours reduced can be difficult. Unemployment benefits are here to help support you and your family while you find a new job and develop your career.
To keep benefit payments flowing, you must perform recurring tasks and adhere to strict rules. A single missed deadline or reporting error can interrupt or terminate payments. He gave the example of a claimant who, when certifying for benefits, stated that they didn’t work and had no earnings. When the agency reviewed the claim, the agency received wage record data from their employers, finding the person did have earnings during that time frame, and so they would not qualify for unemployment. Find information about unemployment benefits including how to apply, qualify, request and receive payments, and estimate your weekly benefit amount.
Nick Assendelft, UIA communications manager, said in an email only some may receive the maximum weekly benefit increase of $84. For new claims filed starting Wednesday, the weekly maximum unemployment benefit will go up to $446 from $362, where it has stood since 2002. In 2002, $362 had the same buying power as $642.42 in February 2025, according to the U.S. DUA is a federally funded program that provides temporary financial support to those impacted by a disaster who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
View Claim & Payment Status
You may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if you lost your job or your hours were significantly cut through no fault of your own. The UIA said those claimants had to pay the money back and in some cases, the agency clawed back money from those claimants. Others, as many as 1.83 million claimants, were approved for benefits and received them but were later told they weren’t eligible amid evolving guidance on eligibility from the federal government.
- Before applying, understanding the UI system’s structure helps manage expectations and prevents common errors that can delay financial assistance.
- Unemployment benefits are taxable income reportable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under federal law.
- The Boston Re-Employment Center will keep its current hours for in-person customer service by appointment only, including on Fridays.
- TWC will deposit payments to the TWC debit card account unless you sign up for direct deposit.
This directory provides direct links and contact information for official UI agencies in every state and the District of Columbia. For current information, always start with the official U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop Unemployment Benefits Finder. Unemployment insurance pays you money if you lose your job through no fault of your own. When you turn to us, we have a program or resource that can help.
DOL Reports – Claim and Benefit Information by State
Find how special sources of wages or types of employment can affect benefits. You can apply for benefits if you are unemployed or working reduced hours through no fault of your own. Yes, federal employees who have lost their jobs or had their hours significantly reduced may be eligible for benefits. The only way to know for sure is to apply and start filing weekly claims. But these questions will give you a rough idea about if you qualify.
General questions
- Select your state on this map to find the eligibility rules for unemployment benefits.
- TWC sends employers notice of claims filed if they were the individual’s last employer or the claim is based on wages they paid the individual.
- They can also help connect you with resources to find work more quickly.
How to apply, choose a payment option, update your information, and avoid delays. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances. Before applying, understanding the UI system’s structure helps manage expectations and prevents common errors that can delay financial assistance.
Review the resources below before filing an initial claim or contacting the DUA Call Center. If you are found ineligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits, you will receive a determination explaining the reason. If you unemployment benefits disagree, you may request a hearing within 30 days from the date of the determination.
During the pandemic, there was a massive influx of unemployment insurance claims as businesses closed their doors and workers stayed home. In December 2024, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law legislation making the changes to Michigan’s unemployment benefits. The UIA said it will not accept cash, and missed payments could result in penalties and interest being added to what is owed, garnishment of wages, tax intercepts or recoupments from future benefit payments. Before you can request benefits, manage your claim, or conduct business-related actives with DUA, you’ll need a MyMassGov account to log in to Unemployment Services. WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking jobless benefits rose modestly last week, suggesting that employers are still retaining workers even as the economy has showed signs of slowing. Find everything you need to know about how to appeal a TWC decision about your unemployment benefits or how to check your appeal status.
You may only claim benefits for days in which you did not work. Your weekly benefit payment amount (benefit rate) depends on how much and when you were paid before you became unemployed. Under the new law, the weekly maximum unemployment benefit will increase to $530 in 2026 and $614 in 2027. In later years, the law requires the state treasurer to adjust the benefit amount to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index, a measure of price changes.