- Check if you're eligible. Not all unemployed workers qualify for unemployment benefits in Illinois.
- Gather required information. You must supply the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) with certain information.
- Apply online. Online is the preferred method of applying. Visit the IDES website. You will need to create a username and password here: https://benefits.ides.illinois.gov/File4UI/Benefits/profile/createRegistrationStart.do.
- File by phone. You may also file for unemployment benefits by calling IDES at 800-244-5631. Call between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Visit an office to file. You may also file at any IDES office. ...
- Select your method of payment. You can receive your benefits by direct deposit or on a debit card. ...
- Register with the employment service. Most applicants will need to register. ...
- Participate in an interview, if necessary. IDES might require that you have a telephone interview. ...
- Receive your UI Finding. IDES will send you this information after your claim has been filed. ...
- Unemployed, and.
- Worked in Illinois during the past 12 months (this period may be longer in some cases), and.
- Earned a minimum amount of wages determined by Illinois guidelines, and.
- Actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits.
How do you calculate unemployment benefits in Illinois?
You will receive your unemployment benefits one week after filing the claim.
- Your Social Security Number
- The year you were born in
- Your home address and telephone number
- Whether you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in your state or any other state during the past 12 months
- Your last day of employment
- The names and addresses of all the employers you have worked for during the past 15 months before you file your claim. ...
How to file application for unemployment benefits?
Apply for Benefits Online. For a New Claim or to Reopen an Existing Claim. Apply for Regular UI: If you're out of work through no fault of your own, and you've worked for a covered employer (an employer who pays UI tax) in the last 18 months, you'll need to apply for regular UI benefits before you can begin filing a weekly claim.
Is Illinois still giving 300 unemployment?
No. If you qualify for unemployment and meet some other requirements, the payment is automatic. Illinois was approved for additional federal unemployment funding on Sept. 1. The program will provide $300 in benefits per week, and will end when Illinois runs out of funding.
What are the requirements for unemployment in Illinois?
In order to start your unemployment, IL unemployment requirements include the following:
- You are totally unemployed. Depending on your vocation and industry, you may qualify for unemployment if you have had your hours reduced.
- You have worked and earned a minimum amount of wages in work covered by unemployment tax during the past 18 months.
- You have lost your job through no fault of your own. ...
- You are able and available for work. ...
What is needed to file for unemployment in Illinois?
To file for unemployment insurance, you will need your Social Security number and driver's license or state ID. You'll also need your employment history for the past 18 months, including names of employers, start date(s), last day of work and number of days worked.
How do I file for pandemic unemployment in Illinois?
If you already applied for regular unemployment insurance, and weren't eligible, you can then apply for PUA online. You can also apply by calling IDES at (800) 244-5631.
How do I know if I'm eligible for unemployment in Illinois?
Unemployed, and. Worked in Illinois during the past 12 months (this period may be longer in some cases), and. Earned a minimum amount of wages determined by Illinois guidelines, and. Actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits.
Do I qualify for unemployment Illinois COVID-19?
Yes. Individuals who have been temporarily laid off due to COVID-19 may be eligible for unemployment benefits as long as they are able, available, and actively seeking work.
How long does it take to get approved for unemployment in Illinois?
Within 7-10 days of filing your claim, you will receive a UI Finding letter in the mail. The UI Finding letter will tell you whether you are monetarily eligible for benefits, meaning you have earned sufficient wages in your base period.
What disqualifies you from unemployment in Illinois?
There are several ways you can be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in Illinois: You quit your job without good cause. You were fired due to misconduct connected to your work. You did not have a good reason to apply for Illinois unemployment or did not accept a suitable job offered to you.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Illinois 2021?
Waiving the Waiting Week Through an executive order from Governor Pritzker, the waiting week for claimants was entirely waived. This change allows a claimant to receive two weeks of benefits, rather than the usual one week of benefits as their first payment.
What are the requirements for unemployment?
When applying for unemployment benefits, you must:Have earned enough wages during the base period.Be totally or partially unemployed.Be unemployed through no fault of your own.Be physically able to work.Be available for work.Be ready and willing to accept work immediately.
How much unemployment will I get in Illinois?
In Illinois, your weekly benefit amount is determined by adding together your earnings in the two quarters of the base period when you earned the most, taking 47% of that total, then dividing the result by 26. The current maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Illinois is $484 per week with no dependents.
Is Illinois still paying unemployment?
With the end of the pandemic unemployment programs, only traditional or regular state unemployment benefits will be available in 2022, unless another extension is approved (highly unlikely).
Has Illinois unemployment been extended?
Summary. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 signed into law on March 11, 2021 amended the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which provided an extension of unemployment assistance. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is no longer issuing payments funded by the CARES Act.
Why can I file unemployment online in Illinois?
The state's online form to file is not "mobile-enabled," a spokesperson said. People without access to a computer should call instead. CHICAGO — A surge of Chicagoans who rushed to file for unemployment have been met with busy signals and, at times, the state's crashing website.
How much do you need to be paid to get unemployment in Illinois?
To qualify for unemployment benefits, you’ll need to have been paid at least 1,600 dollars in wages in the last year, have been paid for at least 2 quarters, and be unemployed through no fault of your own.
How often do you have to recertify unemployment?
You can apply online, by phone, or at an office during the first week you become unemployed. Remember to recertify your eligibility for benefits every two weeks, up to a maximum of 26 weeks in a one-year period. Steps.
What does it mean when you are unemployed?
You're unemployed through no fault of your own. Typically, this means you were laid off for economic reasons. You weren't fired and you didn't quit. However, you might qualify if you quit because of sexual harassment, domestic violence, or another reason. You were paid at least $1,600 in wages in your base year.
What is it called when you certify your benefits?
Check what day you should certify. Requesting benefits is called certifying. After you apply, you'll receive a call day for certifying benefits. If you don't receive this information, then contact IDES.
How often do you have to certify unemployment in Illinois?
Certification takes place by telephone through an Illinois unemployment number or online on a bi-weekly basis. You must certify every two weeks to receive your benefits. Claimants can choose to receive benefits by direct deposit or by the use of a debit card.
Who collects Illinois unemployment taxes?
The agency collects Illinois unemployment insurance taxes from state employers and then returns those dollars to workers who are eligible for Illinois unemployment insurance benefits. Unemployed workers who want to collect Illinois unemployment benefits must register with IDES and meet other specific requirements to be eligible.
What is insured work in Illinois?
Insured work is performed for an employer who is required to make payments to the state as part of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. While most types of work falls under this law, there are some types of work that are considered uninsured work.
How are unemployment benefits determined?
Your benefits are generally determined by the amount of wages you earn during your base period. This applies to both part-time work and full-time work. Your base period is based on the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the beginning of your benefit year.
What is the Illinois Department of Employment Security?
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is the state agency that oversees the administration of Illinois unemployment benefits, provides employment services and analyzes and disseminates labor market information for Illinois residents and employers.
How long does it take to appeal unemployment in Illinois?
If you file an Illinois unemployment application and are denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You must file your appeal within 30 days after you receive your letter of denial. Your appeal will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge where you will be given the opportunity to present your case.
Can you get unemployment if you quit your job in Illinois?
There are several ways you can be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in Illinois: You quit your job without good cause. You were fired due to misconduct connected to your work. You did not have a good reason to apply for Illinois unemployment or did not accept a suitable job offered to you.
Payment Methods
Unemployment insurance benefits are paid either via paper check or direct deposit. IDES recommends claimants use direct deposit as the fastest and most convenient method. View the payment methods page for more information.
File A Claim
By clicking the File an Unemployment Insurance Claim button below, you will be taken to the Illinois Benefits Information System (IBIS) system, where you can set up an account to apply for and manage your claim.
Find a Career
IDES can help you find your next career. Visit IllinoisJobLink.com today to search 100,000+ jobs. If you've applied for unemployment benefits, you already have an IllinoisJobLink.com account!
Certify for Benefits
Certification is how eligible claimants are paid benefits. Regular UI claimants certify every other week. Be sure to certify on your assigned day.
News & Announcements
The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in November for the eighth consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in all fourteen metropolitan areas.
What to do if unemployment runs out?
If you get close to your unemployment benefits running out, give your unemployment counselor a call to check to see what you have to do in order to get they unemployment extension. There is another type of unemployment extension called Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), more commonly referred to as Extended Benefits (EB).
How long is the maximum unemployment extension?
Tier 3 EUC08: 13 week maximum unemployment extension. Tier 4 EUC08: 6 week maximum unemployment extension. If you use up all of your regular unemployment benefits, normally you don’t have to apply for an unemployment extension because the system automatically applies for you, if you are eligible. It is very important that you keep track ...
