Where to file and what you need before you start

Louisiana's unemployment system is run by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), and you file through their website at www.laworks.net. You can also file by phone at 1-866-783-5567, though the website is faster and gives you a record of what you submitted. Before you start, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, your most recent pay stub, and the names and dates you worked for your last employer or employers from the past 18 months.

You do not need to visit an office in person to file. The entire process happens online or over the phone. Filing online takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your information ready. The LWC will ask you questions about why you left work, how much you earned, and whether you have been offered other work since then. Answer honestly—the system cross-checks your answers against what your employer reports.

Key Takeaways

  • File through www.laworks.net or call 1-866-783-5567; you do not need to visit an office.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, recent pay stub, and employer information ready before you start.
  • The LWC will contact your employer to verify your work history and reason for separation.
  • You will receive a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks that tells you whether you are found to be unemployed under Louisiana law.
  • If you disagree with the decision, you have 10 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing.

Step-by-step filing on the LWC website

Go to www.laworks.net and look for the "File for Unemployment" button on the homepage. You will create an account with an email address and password, then log in. The system will walk you through a series of screens asking for your personal information, work history, and the reason you are no longer working.

When the system asks why you left your job, be specific. If you were laid off, say "laid off" or "reduction in force." If you quit, explain why—for example, "unsafe working conditions" or "no childcare available." If you were fired, say what happened. The LWC uses your answer to decide whether you left work for what Louisiana law calls "good cause." You will also be asked whether you have been offered work since you stopped working and whether you are looking for work now.

After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The LWC will send you an email confirming receipt. You do not need to do anything else at this point—the LWC will contact your employer directly to verify your employment and the reason you left.

What happens after you file

The LWC sends a form to your last employer asking them to confirm your dates of work, your pay, and their reason for the separation. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. During this time, you will not hear much from the LWC unless they need more information from you.

Within two to three weeks of filing, you will receive a information letter in the mail. This letter tells you whether the LWC found you to be unemployed under Louisiana law. "Unemployed" in this context means you lost work through no fault of your own—usually layoffs, reduction in force, or job elimination. If you quit or were fired for misconduct, the letter will likely say you are not unemployed under the law, and you will not receive benefits.

If the letter says you are unemployed, it will also tell you how much your weekly benefit amount is and when your benefits will start. Louisiana's maximum weekly benefit is set by state law and changes each year; the LWC website shows the current amount. Your first payment usually arrives one to two weeks after the information letter.

If your employer disputes the claim

Sometimes an employer will respond to the LWC saying you quit or were fired for cause, even if you believe you were laid off. When this happens, the LWC may issue a information saying you are not unemployed. You will receive a letter explaining the employer's reason and the LWC's decision.

You have the right to disagree. Look at the date on the information letter and count 10 days forward—that is your important date to request a hearing. You can request a hearing by phone, mail, or through the LWC website. At the hearing, you and your employer will each tell your side of the story to a hearing officer. The hearing is usually held over the phone and takes 20 to 30 minutes. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one if you want.

Reporting requirements while you receive benefits

Once you start receiving benefits, Louisiana requires you to report your work search activity every week. You must look for work and keep a record of the jobs you applied for, the dates, and the employer contact information. The LWC will ask you to report this information when you certify for your weekly benefits.

You certify for benefits through the same LWC website where you filed. You will log in each week and answer questions about whether you worked, how much you earned, and what jobs you applied for. If you worked during the week, you must report your earnings—the LWC will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earned. If you do not certify each week, your benefits will stop.

What disqualifies you in Louisiana

Louisiana law says you are not unemployed if you quit your job without good cause, if you were fired for misconduct, or if you refused work without good cause. "Good cause" means a reason that a reasonable person would think justified leaving—for example, unsafe conditions, a significant cut in pay, or a change in hours that made childcare impossible. Being unhappy with your boss or wanting a different job is not good cause.

You are also disqualified if you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, if you are in school full-time, or if you are receiving a pension from a previous employer. If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you may still receive unemployment, but the LWC will reduce your benefit by a portion of your Social Security payment.

How long benefits last and what to do if they run out

Louisiana's standard unemployment benefit period is 26 weeks. If you exhaust your benefits before you find work, you may be able to extend them through a federal program, but this depends on the state of the economy and whether Congress has authorized an extension. The LWC website will tell you if an extension is available.

If your benefits are about to end and you have not found work, contact the LWC or a local workforce center to ask about job training programs, resume help, or other services. Louisiana has several programs that may help you prepare for work or transition to a new field, and some of them are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I was fired?

You can file, but you will likely be disqualified unless you were fired for a reason that was not your fault. If you were fired for misconduct—breaking a rule, poor performance, or insubordination—the LWC will probably deny your claim. If you were fired for something outside your control, like a business closure, you may be found unemployed. File anyway and explain what happened; the LWC will investigate.

How much will I receive each week?

Louisiana calculates your weekly benefit based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the past 18 months. The LWC divides that amount by 26 to get your weekly benefit, up to a maximum set by state law. The information letter will show your exact weekly amount. You can also call the LWC to ask what your benefit will be before you file.

What if I worked for multiple employers?

List all employers you worked for in the past 18 months when you file. The LWC will contact each one to verify your employment. Your benefit is based on your total earnings across all jobs during the highest-earning quarter, so working multiple jobs may increase your weekly benefit.

Do I have to accept a job offer while I am receiving benefits?

Yes, if the job is suitable work. Suitable work means a job in your field or a similar field at a similar wage. If you refuse suitable work without good cause, the LWC can disqualify you. If you think a job offer is not suitable, contact the LWC before you refuse it.

Can I file if I am self-employed or a gig worker?

Louisiana's unemployment system covers employees, not self-employed people or independent contractors. If you worked as a 1099 contractor or ran your own business, you are not covered. However, if you were misclassified and should have been an employee, you may still be able to file; contact the LWC to discuss your situation.