After Applying for Unemployment Assistance

Your first claim takes 3 to 4 weeks to process. Find out what happens during this time and what you need to do to stay eligible while your claim is under review.

After you submit your first claim, there’s no need to call us immediately— monitor your UI Online inbox for updates or provide us with additional information if requested. While your first claim is under review, be sure to certify for benefits each week to stay eligible. Learn more below.

We review your claim

We ask all employers you listed on your claim about your past wages and why you stopped working there. If an employer does not respond within 10 business days, we may contact you for this information.

We review your wage and employment information to decide if you have earned enough wages to qualify for benefits, and for how long.

We may send you follow-up questions if we need more information to approve your claim.

We review information about why you stopped working to decide if you are entitled to unemployment assistance.

We send you our determination, and you will be notified if:

• You are eligible for benefits. You will get benefits by direct deposit to your bank account or on a DUA debit card. (you decide which).
• You are not eligible for benefits. Look for a letter on your DUA online account or in the mail.

You can disagree with our determination and appeal our decision within 10 days.

Respond to requests in UI Online  Submit additional information in UI Online 

You continue to request weekly benefits

For every week that you are unemployed and ask for assistance, you must look for work by doing at least three work search activities. Start doing this when you file your first claim.

Each time you certify, we will ask you some questions about whether you are looking for work, whether you can accept work offered to you, and if you are physically and mentally able to work. We will also ask about your current employment status and any wages you may have been paid. We cannot pay you benefits for any week you did not look for work.

Keep a record of all your job searches. We will ask you to provide this information during the weekly certification process.

Learn more about weekly requirements 

You must wait one week before you can be paid. You can apply any day of the week following your separation. (Sunday – Saturday.)

We approve your claim

If we approve your claim, your payments will begin soon, and you don't need to call the DUA call center immediately. Once you receive approval, log into your UI Online account, where you will find:

• Your weekly benefit amount
• A payment schedule
• Information on whether your payment will be made by debit card or direct deposit to your bank account.

Debit card or direct deposit options 

We deny your claim

If you disagree with our decision or notice missing information, you can:  

• Submit the Wage Correction Form, which is included with your Monetary Determination notice.
• Appeal the decision within 10 days—your notice explains how.  

If an employer disagrees with your eligibility, they can also appeal within 10 days. If either you or the employers you listed in your claim request an appeal, we’ll schedule a hearing and send details on:  

• The date, time, and location  
• What to expect and how to prepare

Avoid penalties

You must report any changes to your unemployment status while receiving benefits. There’s no need to call the DUA directly.

It's your responsibility to notify us when you are: 

• Return to full-time work. Simply make your final request and stop requesting benefits.
• Report part-time work and income. Earnings over 1/3 of your weekly benefit will be deducted.
• Are unable to work. This includes being sick, injured, in school, traveling, or otherwise unavailable.

You are not eligible for benefits for any period of time you are outside of the United States, its territories, or Canada.