How to File for Unemployment

Unemployment insurance is run as a joint federal-state program, so the exact filing process, required documents, and online portal are different in every state. Select your state below for step-by-step instructions on filing a claim, what you'll need before you start, and how to reach your state's unemployment agency directly.

This site is an independent, non-government unemployment directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, any state workforce agency, or other official entity. Always verify details directly with the official agency before visiting or applying.

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Alabama Alabama Department of Labor Alaska Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Arizona Arizona Department of Economic Security Arkansas Arkansas Division of Workforce Services California California Employment Development Department Colorado Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Connecticut Connecticut Department of Labor Delaware Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance D.C. District of Columbia Department of Employment Services Florida Florida Department of Commerce Georgia Georgia Department of Labor Hawaii Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Division Idaho Idaho Department of Labor Illinois Illinois Department of Employment Security Indiana Indiana Department of Workforce Development Iowa Iowa Workforce Development Kansas Kansas Department of Labor Kentucky Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance Louisiana Louisiana Workforce Commission Maine Maine Department of Labor Maryland Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance Michigan Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency Minnesota Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Mississippi Mississippi Department of Employment Security Missouri Missouri Division of Employment Security Montana Montana Unemployment Insurance Division Nebraska Nebraska Department of Labor Nevada Nevada Dept. of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation New Hampshire New Hampshire Employment Security New Jersey New Jersey Division of Unemployment Insurance New Mexico New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions New York New York Department of Labor North Carolina North Carolina Division of Employment Security North Dakota North Dakota Job Service Ohio Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Oklahoma Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Oregon Oregon Employment Department Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Department of Labor Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training South Carolina South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce South Dakota South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Tennessee Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Texas Texas Workforce Commission Utah Utah Department of Workforce Services Vermont Vermont Department of Labor Virgin Islands Virgin Islands Department of Labor Virginia Virginia Employment Commission Washington Washington Employment Security Department West Virginia West Virginia WorkForce Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Wyoming Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Helpful Guides

Unemployment Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies

The three tests every state uses to decide unemployment eligibility, and the separation reasons that typically help or hurt your claim.

How Unemployment Benefits Work

A plain-English overview of how the joint federal-state unemployment insurance system works, from filing your first claim to your last payment.

Unemployment Benefits for Self-Employed and Gig Workers

Regular unemployment insurance is built around W-2 payroll taxes, which is why freelancers and gig workers usually do not qualify — here is what does apply.

Partial Unemployment Benefits: Working Part-Time While on Unemployment

Taking part-time work does not automatically end your unemployment claim — most states let you keep a reduced payment if you report your earnings correctly.