The unemployment insurance system pays temporary assistance to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Not everyone who applies for unemployment benefits will qualify. Certain conditions must be met in order to meet initial eligibility requirements and to remain eligible to receive benefits. Individuals pay no part of the costs of unemployment benefits. Employers pay the full cost of unemployment benefits.

Filing your claim will go faster if you have the following important documents before you begin.

Tab/Accordion Items

  • Your Social Security number.
  • Information about separation, vacation or severance pay you received, will receive or are entitled to receive from your most recent employer.
  • Information about retirement pay you receive, including the gross monthly amount and proof of payment.
  • Your bank routing number and account number to set up direct deposit of benefits into your bank account. If you do not select direct deposit, your benefits will be paid on a DES debit card.
  • Your work history for the past two years. For each employer, you will need:
    • The employer name as it appears on your check stub.
    • The employer's payroll address, physical address and telephone number
    • Your employment dates, rate of pay and reason for separation from employment.

  • Your Alien number and expiration date from your Employment Authorization Document.

  • Your SF-50 form, SF-8 form, pay stub(s) or W-2 (if you worked in federal employment within the past two years). If this information is unavailable, you may provide it later. Please proceed in filing your claim. 

  • Your DD214, Member 4 Copy. If your DD214 is unavailable, you may provide it later. Please proceed in filing your claim.