How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance? | U.S. Department of Labor

guidance on unemployment insurance flexibilities during the covid-19 outbreak

note: check with your state’s unemployment insurance program regarding the rules in your state.

Federal law allows significant flexibility for states to modify their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. For example, federal law gives states flexibility to pay benefits where:

1. an employer temporarily suspends operations due to covid-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
2. a person is in quarantine with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine ends; and
3. a person leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.

In addition, federal law does not require an employee to resign to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.

web pages on this topic

unemployment insurance office

• data and statistics
• performance management

state unemployment insurance

• The federal-state unemployment insurance program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined by state law) and meet other eligibility requirements of the state law.

disaster unemployment assistance

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

unemployment compensation for federal employees

• The Federal Employees Unemployment Compensation Program provides benefits to eligible unemployed civilian former Federal employees.

employment compensation for former military

• The Ex-Military Unemployment Compensation Program provides benefits to eligible ex-service members.

extended unemployment insurance benefits

• Extended benefits may be available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment.

trade readjustment allowances

• Trade Readjustment Allowances are income support for people who have exhausted unemployment compensation and whose jobs were affected by foreign imports.

self-employment assistance

• Self-employment assistance offers displaced workers the opportunity for early reemployment.

Unemployment Insurance Improper Payments by State

• the us The Department of Labor works with our state partners to identify several strong strategies that focus on overpayment prevention and will have the greatest impact in reducing unemployment insurance overpayment rates.

through american job centers, all citizens can access services tailored to their individual needs. This includes employment services and job training, career planning and guidance, and much more.

careeronestop provides online tools to help workers find a job, use available training opportunities, or conduct career planning. there is no cost to companies or workers who use this service.

The Department of Labor’s toll-free call center can help workers and employers with questions about job loss, layoffs, business closures, unemployment benefits, and job training: 1-877-us-2jobs (tty: 1 -877-889-5627).

Additional information on topics relevant to the unemployed can be found on the Department of Labor web interface, find it! by audience: job seekers/unemployed.