Seasonal employment certification

Employers must certify with the Department of Unemployment (DUA) that they pay wages to seasonal employees. Learn what you need to certify seasonal employment with DUA.

What is certified seasonal employment?

Seasonal employees can’t use wages paid by certified seasonal employers to establish an unemployment benefit claim under most circumstances. Businesses must apply to DUA for seasonal employment certification every year.

DUA will certify employment as seasonal if:

1. The entire business is operational for 20 weeks or fewer in a calendar year, OR
2. There are distinct roles within the business that are only operational 20 weeks or fewer in a calendar year

For example, if your business is a summer camp:

1. Camp counselors employed 20 weeks or fewer may be considered seasonal employees
2. Camp administrators who work year-round are not seasonal employees. An assistant administrator hired for the summer to support this year-round role is probably not a seasonal employee. 

How to apply for seasonal certification

Businesses must apply every year at least 60 days before the season starts.

If you don’t, wages paid that season can be used to establish an unemployment claim, and you will be responsible for unemployment benefit charges.

To certify your seasonal employment:

1. Log in to Unemployment Services for Employers
2. From the Employer information panel, select View more employer details, then select Additional actions
3. From the Seasonal certification panel, select Apply for seasonal certification
4. Follow the prompts to complete the request

DUA will review the application and notify employers in the Action center. If you are denied seasonal certification, you can appeal this decision within 10 days of the date on the notice.

Your responsibilities as a seasonal employer

If your application is approved, you must:

1. Continue to file your quarterly wage and employment report, including wages paid to seasonal workers.
2. Continue to pay quarterly contributions on seasonal wages.
3. Contact DUA if seasonal employment lasts longer than 20 weeks.
4. Respond to requests for information about claims filed by seasonal employees. In your response, indicate that the employee was “DUA certified seasonal.”
5. Follow any additional instructions provided by DUA when notified about your seasonal certification.