Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts.
- This page, Apply for unemployment insurance benefits, is offered by
- Department of Unemployment Assistance
Apply for unemployment insurance benefits
Contacts
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Phone
Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
To request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Payment Status Line
Call Department of Unemployment Assistance, Payment Status Line at (617) 626-6563
To check your claim or benefit payment status
Select or reset your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Direct Deposit Line
Call Department of Unemployment Assistance, Direct Deposit Line at (617) 626-6570
Set up, change, or cancel direct deposit
Online
Unemployment Services for Workers
Log in as a claimant
The Details
What you need
If you recently lost your job, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI). Before you apply, review eligibility requirements.
To apply, you will need:
- Your Social Security number, birth date, home address, email address, and phone number
- Social Security numbers and birth dates of any dependents
- Driver's license or State ID number and expiration date, if available
- Bank account and routing number to set up direct deposit
- Information about previous employment, including names, addresses, phone numbers, start and end dates, and reason(s) for leaving
- If you were laid off and have a return date, you will need to provide a recall date
- If you were in the military, your discharge paperwork (DD-214 Member-4 Form)
- If you were a federal employee, your Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) and Notice about Unemployment Insurance (SF-8)
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, paperwork that proves you are authorized to work in the U.S.
How to apply
- Log in or sign up for an Unemployment Services for Workers account using MyMassGov
- From your dashboard, select "File an unemployment insurance claim" to begin your application
- If you need to reopen a previous claim, select, "Reopen your unemployment insurance claim"
- Follow the prompts to complete your application
- When your application is complete, you will see a Success message with information about what to expect next
To submit your application over the phone, call the TeleClaim Center at (877) 626-6800, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Next steps
-
Look for updates from DUA
- You will get a notice in the mail confirming you applied for benefits
- DUA may reach out to you or your employer(s) to verify your application, be sure to respond to requests for information
- Sign into your Unemployment Services for Workers account to check for status updates
Start filing your weekly claim for benefits
You need to submit a claim every week you want to receive benefits.
You should start doing this the week after you apply for benefits, even if DUA is still reviewing your application.
Contact
Address
Boston Re-Employment Center (by appointment only)2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111Phone
Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
To request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Payment Status Line Call Department of Unemployment Assistance, Payment Status Line at (617) 626-6563To check your claim or benefit payment status
Select or reset your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Direct Deposit Line Call Department of Unemployment Assistance, Direct Deposit Line at (617) 626-6570Set up, change, or cancel direct deposit
Online
Unemployment Services for Workers Log in as a claimantRelated