Wisconsin Unemployment Department

The department in this state that handles unemployment insurance is called Wisconsin Workforce Development. If you have questions or issues about filing a new or weekly unemployment claim, they should be able to assist you. We provide the contact information for the Wisconsin Unemployment Department below including the location, phone number and government website where you can find out how to file your claims, report fraud, find a job for employees and help businesses grow for employers. We also provide the information on how to file for WI unemployment online and file for unemployment over the phone.

If you lost your job at no fault of your own, then it is important to file your claim right away. You should apply for unemployment benefits when you are totally unemployed, partially unemployed (your weekly earnings are reduced), or you expect to be laid off within the next 13 weeks and would like to start your benefit year early. All claims based on work done in Wisconsin are filed through Wisconsin, even if you now live in another state. Your claim begins the week you apply. To avoid any loss of benefits, apply the first week you are unemployed. Do not wait until the week is over. At the time of filing you will need information including a valid email or mobile number. Your social security number. Your Wisconsin driver license or identification number. Your work history for the last 18 months including the employers' business names, employers' addresses (including zip code), employers' phone number, first and last dates of work with each employer and reason no longer working with each employer. If not a US citizen, your alien registration number, document number and expiration date and more. To see if you are eligible to receive these benefits and what additional information is needed when applying, find out how to file your Wisconsin unemployment claim. As a reminder, unemployment insurance benefits are taxable. You must report any unemployment benefits you receive as part of your gross income on your taxes.

  • Unemployment Department Location
  • Wisconsin Workforce Development
    201 E. Washington Avenue
    Madison, WI 53703

  • Unemployment Claim Phone Number
  • To file for WI unemployment benefits over the phone, call 414-435-7069.

  • Unempoyment Claim Online
  • The easist way to file your claim is through their online system. To file for WI unemployment online, click here.