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Unemployment timing and payment information

What to expect after you file your unemployment claim related to COVID-19.

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How long is it taking for payments to be issued?

In most cases, once you have successfully completed the initial claim process, you must certify for benefits each week thereafter in order to be paid (the claim certification process is available starting on Sunday until the following Saturday evening that you wish). If, based on your answers to the certification questions, you are eligible for benefits that week, typically you should receive your benefits on the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. Due to the volume of claims currently going through the unemployment system, in limited circumstances, some payments for successfully certified claims may not arrive until Thursday. 

First payments may take a little longer. If you have selected direct deposit as your method of payment, you may not receive your first payment until after 9 days from the date of requesting this payment method.

Note: When the payment method is labeled as "PreNote Stage," this is the time for the banks to authenticate the direct deposit information. If you have selected debit card, you should receive the debit card in the mail in approximately 10 days. Once you receive and activate your debit card, you will have access to your first payment.

Contact   for Unemployment timing and payment information

Phone

Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. Multilingual call agents are available.

To request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

To check your claim or benefit payment status (*please do not transfer to an agent while in the system-this is not staffed at this time)

By appointment only, visit mass.gov/RECappointment to make an appointment.

Address

Boston Re-Employment Center (By appointment only, visit mass.gov/RECappointment to make an appointment.)
2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111

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