File your weekly claim through your state's unemployment website or phone line, usually between Sunday and Friday of each week

Most states require you to file a new claim every week to continue receiving benefits. You do this through your state's unemployment insurance website or by phone — the method depends on which state you live in. The state sends you instructions when your claim is approved, including your filing important date and which day of the week you must report.

Weekly claims ask the same basic questions: whether you worked that week, how many hours you worked if you did, and whether you refused any job offers. Your answers determine whether you receive your full weekly benefit amount, a reduced amount, or nothing that week. Filing late or missing a week usually means you lose benefits for that week, even if you were otherwise may have access to to them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state unemployment office sends you a filing important date and instructions when your claim is approved — check your email, mail, or the state website for these details.
  • Most states let you file online through a website portal, by phone through an automated system, or by calling a representative during business hours.
  • You must report truthfully whether you worked, how many hours you worked, and whether you turned down any job offers that week.
  • Filing after your important date usually disqualifies you from that week's payment, so mark your filing day on a calendar or set a phone reminder.
  • If you cannot file by the important date, contact your state unemployment office before the important date passes to ask about an extension.

Finding your state's filing method and important date

When your initial claim is approved, your state sends you a notice that includes your weekly filing important date — usually a specific day of the week, such as "file every Wednesday by 11:59 p.m." This notice also tells you how to file: online, by phone, or by mail. Keep this notice where you can find it, because you will need the important date and method every week you receive benefits.

If you cannot find your approval notice, go to your state's unemployment insurance website and log into your account. Most states have a portal where you can see your claim status, your weekly filing important date, and a link to file your weekly claim. The website address is usually [your state].gov/unemployment or [your state].gov/labor. If you do not have an online account yet, the website will walk you through creating one.

Some states still allow phone filing through an automated system. You call a number listed on your approval notice, enter your claim number and PIN, and answer the questions by pressing numbers on your phone keypad. A few states require you to speak with a representative by phone. Check your approval notice or your state website to see which method applies to you.

What information you need to report each week

Every weekly claim asks whether you worked during that week. If you did not work at all, you answer no and report zero hours. If you worked part-time or full-time, you report the number of hours you worked and sometimes the amount you earned. The state then subtracts your earnings from your weekly benefit amount — most states allow you to earn a small amount without losing benefits, but earnings above that threshold reduce or eliminate your payment.

You must also report whether you refused any job offers or interviews during the week. If an employer contacted you about a job and you turned it down, you report that. If you did not refuse any work, you answer no. Refusing work without a good reason can disqualify you from benefits that week or longer, so answer this question truthfully.

Some states ask additional questions, such as whether you attended job training, whether you are still looking for work, or whether you have any job offers pending. Answer each question as it appears on your form. If a question does not explore to you, most systems let you select "no" or skip it.

Filing online through your state portal

Log into your state unemployment account on the day you are allowed to file — most states let you file starting on Sunday or Monday for the previous week. Enter your claim number and password. Look for a button or link that says "File Weekly Claim" or "Report Weekly." Click it and answer each question as it appears.

The form usually takes five to ten minutes. After you submit it, the system shows you a confirmation number and tells you when to expect your payment. Write down the confirmation number or take a screenshot. If there is a problem with your claim later, you will need this number to reference your filing.

If the website is down or you cannot log in, try again later that day or the next day — but do not wait until your important date passes. If the website is still down on your important date day, call your state unemployment office before the important date to report the problem and ask how to file by phone instead.

Filing by phone through an automated system

Call the phone number on your approval notice. The automated system asks you to enter your claim number and PIN. It then asks the same questions as the online form: whether you worked, how many hours, whether you earned money, and whether you refused any work. Press the number on your keypad that corresponds to your answer — usually 1 for yes and 2 for no.

After you answer all questions, the system repeats your answers back to you and asks you to confirm. Listen carefully to make sure everything is correct. If something is wrong, the system usually lets you go back and change it. Once you confirm, the system gives you a confirmation number. Write it down.

If you make a mistake during the call, hang up and call back to file again. Most states let you file multiple times in a week, and they count the last filing you submit. Do not worry about filing twice by accident — just make sure your final filing is correct.

Filing by phone with a representative

Some states require you to speak with a person instead of using an automated system. Call the number on your approval notice during the hours listed. A representative answers and asks you the same questions: whether you worked, how many hours, whether you earned money, and whether you refused any work. Answer each question clearly and honestly.

The representative may ask follow-up questions if your answer is unclear or if something seems inconsistent with your previous claims. For example, if you report working 40 hours one week and zero hours the next, they might ask whether you were laid off or quit. Answer truthfully — the state cross-checks your answers against employer records and other data.

At the end of the call, the representative gives you a confirmation number and tells you when to expect your payment. Ask for the representative's name and the date and time of the call in case you need to reference it later.

What happens if you miss your filing important date

If you do not file by your important date, you lose your payment for that week. Most states do not let you file late, even if you file the next day. The week is closed and you cannot recover the payment. This is why setting a phone reminder or marking your calendar is important — missing one important date costs you one week of benefits.

If you realize you missed your important date before it passes, contact your state unemployment office when ready. Some states have a process to request a late filing or an extension, but this is not may provide. The sooner you call, the better your chance of getting help. Have your claim number ready when you call.

If you know you will not be able to file on your regular day — for example, because you will be in the hospital or traveling — call your state unemployment office before your important date and explain the situation. Some states can move your filing day or give you a one-time extension. Do not wait until after your important date passes to ask.

Reporting earnings and how they affect your payment

If you worked during the week, you must report your gross earnings — the amount before taxes are taken out. Most states subtract a small amount from your weekly benefit, called a disregard or exemption, before reducing your payment. For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 and you earned $100, and your state's disregard is $50, the state subtracts $50 from your earnings, leaving $50 to subtract from your benefit. You would receive $250 that week instead of $300.

The exact calculation varies by state, so check your approval notice or your state website for your disregard amount. Some states reduce your benefit by a percentage of your earnings instead of a flat amount. If you are not sure how your earnings affect your payment, call your state unemployment office and ask them to explain your specific situation.

If you earned money but did not report it on your weekly claim, the state may discover this later when your employer reports your wages. This can result in an overpayment — money you were not may have access to to — and the state will ask you to repay it. Reporting your earnings honestly when you file prevents this problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I worked part of the week and was unemployed the rest?

Report the total number of hours you worked that week and the total amount you earned. The state calculates your benefit based on your earnings for the full week, not just the days you worked. If you earned enough that week, your benefit may be reduced or eliminated, even though you were unemployed for part of the week.

Can I file my weekly claim early?

Most states let you file starting on Sunday or Monday for the previous week. Filing early is fine — the state processes it the same way. If your important date is Wednesday and you file on Monday, your claim is submitted and you do not have to file again that week.

What if the website says I am not may be able to access to file?

This usually means your claim has ended or been denied. Check your email and mail for a notice from your state explaining why. If you do not understand the reason, call your state unemployment office and ask them to explain. You may be able to appeal the decision or file a new claim if your situation has changed.

Do I have to report if I am looking for work?

Some states ask this question on the weekly claim form. If your state asks, answer truthfully. Most states require you to be actively looking for work to receive benefits, but they do not ask you to prove it every week — they ask about it on the initial claim. If your state asks on the weekly form, say yes if you are looking for work that week.

What if I refuse a job offer because the pay is too low?

You must report that you refused the offer. Whether this disqualifies you depends on your state's rules. Some states say you can refuse work that pays significantly less than your previous job or less than the minimum wage. Others say you must accept any work offered. Report the refusal and let the state decide — if they think it was unreasonable, they will contact you to discuss it.