How To File For North Dakota Unemployment

This page provides information on how to file for unemployment in North Dakota. If you lost your job or your hours were reduced at no fault of your own, you may qualify to receive unemployment benefits in your state. Review the information below, if you still have questions or issues about these benefits, then we suggest to contact your local North Dakota Unemployment Department for assistance. It is important that you file your new claim right away because North Dakota unemployment insurance are not retroactive.

North Dakota unemployment benefits eligibility

To be eligible for unemployment benefits you must:

  • Have been separated from employment through no fault of your own or have had your hours reduced
  • Be able to work
  • Be available for work
  • Be actively seeking employment
  • Be found monetarily eligible. A claimant establishes monetary eligibility based on work performed during a specific one-year period called the base period
When should I file my claim?

For unemployment insurance purposes the week begins on Sunday and ends on the following Saturday at midnight. You should file your claim the week in which you become unemployed. The effective date of your claim is the Sunday of the week it is filed. Claims cannot be backdated to an earlier week so it is important to file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.

Information needed when applying for unemployment

Information you will need to have available when you file:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Name, address and telephone number of all employers for whom you worked in the last 18 months or since last registering
  • Wage you are willing to accept
  • Union Local name and number
  • DD214 member copy 4 (proof of military service and wages)
  • SF8 and SF50 (proof of federal civilian service and wages)
  • Your alien identification number (non-US citizen authorized to work in the US)

Filing for North Dakota unemployment benefits

There are two ways to file your claim. Online using Job Service North Dakota's UI ICE internet site, or by telephone using their automated telephone system by calling 701-328-4995. The UI ICE internet application and the automated phone system are unavailable daily from 10pm to midnight Central Time due to maintenance. Claims Center staff are available Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central Time.

After unemployment claim has been filed

You will receive a Monetary Determination by mail. A Monetary Determination is a letter that lists the employers you worked for and the wages reported by these employers during the base period of your claim. It also shows the Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) available on your claim, and your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA). Please review your wages carefully. If you think they are wrong, fill out the appeal form enclosed with the Monetary Determination so an investigation of your wage credits can be made.

Once filed, a 52 week benefit year is established. You cannot file another new claim in North Dakota until that year is over. Your benefits, however, may not last the entire year. Unemployment insurance generally allows for 12 to 26 weeks of benefits.

In order to be eligible to receive benefit payments Job Service must find that the reason(s) you are no longer working are not disqualifying and that you meet all other eligibility requirements of the unemployment insurance program. Examples of other eligibility requirements include:

  • You are able and available to accept work
  • You are actively seeking work
  • You have an active resume on file with Job Service
  • You have completed all re-employment related activities as directed by Job Service
How do I receive benefit payments?

You will need to certify each week of unemployment that you wish to receive benefit payments, Weekly certifications are completed:

  • Online at Job Service North Dakota's UI ICE internet site under "My To Do List" or
  • By telephone using our automated voice response system at 701-328-4995

You will need your PIN number to complete the certification process. Your PIN will be assigned to you when you file your claim for unemployment insurance. If you have not established a PIN number, you must log into UI ICE and select the Reset PIN link from the main menu. Complete your weekly certification for each week that you wish to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

The claim week runs from Sunday through Saturday midnight. You may certify each week of benefits any time after Saturday midnight, but you must certify your week within two weeks of starting your claim or within two weeks of the last week that you certified. You must certify each week that you wish to claim benefits. Whether you certify online or by phone, you will be required to answer questions about your previous week's work activities. Questions include:

  • The amount of your gross earnings for that week
  • Were you able and available for work?
  • Did you complete your required number of work search contacts?

The first week you certify and are determined eligible for benefits is called your waiting week. You must certify the week to get credit for your waiting week, even though you will not receive payment for that week.

Unemployment benefits payment types

North Dakota unemployment benefits are issued to you in 2 ways, either through direct deposit or through a debit card.

Direct Deposit

If you would like to receive unemployment insurance benefit payments by direct deposit, visit the Job Service North Dakota's UI ICE Internet site and select "Payment Option" on the Main Menu or select Change Payment Option on the phone. Read Direct Deposit FAQs to learn more.

Prepaid Card

If you do not choose direct deposit you will be automatically enrolled in the ReliaCard Visa prepaid card program and a card will be sent to you. Read the Way 2 Go Card FAQ to learn more. Visit Way 2 Go Card account to access your account.

File an appeal

Employers and claimants have the right to appeal all notices, determinations, and decisions made by Job Service. The hearing is your opportunity to offer evidence and provide testimony in your case. You may file your appeal online at UI ICE or by submitting a detailed appeal in writing. All requests must be filed with the Appeals Section of Job Service North Dakota on or prior to the deadline date listed in your determination or decision.

Written requests for appeal or bureau review may be delivered in person to any Job Service office, faxed to 701-328-2728 (Claimant) or 701-328-1882 (Employers), or mailed to:

Appeals Section
P.O. Box 5507
Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5507