How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities During COVID-19 Outbreak
NOTE: Check with your state’s unemployment insurance program regarding the rules in your state.
Federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. For example, federal law provides states flexibility to pay benefits where:
- An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
- An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
- An individual 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 quit in order to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.
Webpages on this Topic
Office of Unemployment Insurance
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 under state law), and meet other eligibility requirements of 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 Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program provides benefits for eligible unemployed former civilian federal employees.
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members
- The Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members program provides benefits for eligible ex-military personnel.
Unemployment Insurance Extended 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 to persons who have exhausted Unemployment Compensation and whose jobs were affected by foreign imports.
Self-Employment Assistance
- Self-Employment Assistance offers dislocated workers the opportunity for early re-employment.
Unemployment Insurance Improper Payments By State
- The U.S. Department of Labor collaborates with our state partners to identify several robust strategies that focus on the prevention of overpayments and will yield the highest impact in reducing unemployment insurance improper payment rates.
Through American Job Centers, all citizens can access services tailored to their individual needs. This includes employment and job training services, career planning and guidance and much more.
CareerOneStop provides online tools to assist workers with finding a job, utilizing available training opportunities or conducting career planning. There is no cost to businesses or workers who use this service.
The Department of Labor’s toll-free call center can assist 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’s web interface, Find It! By Audience – Job Seekers/Unemployed.
