
If you meet all the eligibility requirements, then you can apply for unemployment insurance. To file by phone, call 601-855-3133 or 1-888-844-3577, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4:30 pm. To file online, you can do so anytime by setting up an account on the MDES online employment services website. Determine the amount of your benefit.
Full Answer
How do I apply for unemployment benefits in Mississippi?
As soon as you become unemployed, you may file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits online or by calling 601-493-9427. Note: MDES accepts new or reopened unemployment claims Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
What is the EB Unemployment extension amount in Mississippi?
If you qualify for the EB unemployment extension you will receive additional benefits equal to 20 weeks or 80% of the maximum benefit amount on the original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less. Still Have Questions? To go back to the Mississippi Unemployment FAQ Page, click here: Mississippi Unemployment FAQ
What happens if my Mississippi unemployment benefits have run out?
If your Mississippi unemployment benefits have run out you may be eligible to receive extended unemployment benefits through one of the state or federal unemployment extension programs. This federal unemployment extension programs is called Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (Also known as EUC08).
How to contact the Mississippi Department of employment and employment services?
An equal opportunity employer and program, MDES has auxiliary aids and services available upon request to those with disabilities. Those needing TTY assistance may call 800-582-2233. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

What is the Mississippi Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program?
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program is an emergency program activated in response to a crisis and designed to provide benefits to certain individuals who are ineligible for or who have exhausted entitlement to regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits.
Do people still need to file weekly claims for unemployment in Mississippi during the coronavirus disease pandemic?
If you have filed and been denied for regular unemployment since off work due to COVID-19, you do not have to file a new claim. You will be notified of your potential eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and any action needed on your part. You should continue to file your weekly certifications.If you have not filed a claim for unemployment benefits since off work due to COVID-19, you should file a claim. For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) call 1-833-919-0334.
Can Mississippi's employees who are not able to work due to the coronavirus emergency get unemployment benefits?
Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced today that Mississippi workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits.Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor and Governor Tate Reeves, MDES is modifying existing unemployment compensation rules to allow workers to file a claim for unemployment benefits.
What is the maximum Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits (PEUC) eligibility in weeks?
No PEUC is payable for any week of unemployment beginning after April 5, 2021. In addition, the length of time an eligible individual can receive PEUC has been extended from 13 weeks to 24 weeks.
How do I file a weekly certification for unemployment benefits in Mississippi?
To file a weekly certification using UI Online System and mobile app you will need to establish a user ID and password. Each week starts at 12:01 am on Sunday and ends at midnight on the following Saturday. Your weekly certification should be filed timely as soon as possible after the Saturday week-ending date.
How long is the unemployment benefit waiting period in Mississippi?
If it is determined that you are eligible for benefits, the first eligible week that you file a claim will serve as your waiting period week. You will not be paid for this week.
What are the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits in Mississippi?
See full answerTo be eligible for UI benefits, one must:1. Must be unemployed through no fault of your own.2. File a weekly claim as required - Claims filed late may be denied.3. Be able to work - You must be mentally and physically able to work your normal work week.4. Be available for work - You must be ready to go to work. You must be willing to accept full-time work. You must have transportation and have made necessary childcare arrangements. You cannot have barriers or conditions, which prevent you from accepting work immediately.5. Be actively seeking work - To meet availability requirements you must make a "good faith" effort to find work. An active work search effort is required.
What is the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program for COVID-19?
See full answerTo qualify for PUA benefits, you must not be eligible for regular unemployment benefits and be unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because of certain health or economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PUA program provides up to 39 weeks of benefits, which are available retroactively starting with weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 27, 2020, and ending on or before December 31, 2020.The amount of benefits paid out will vary by state and are calculated based on the weekly benefit amounts (WBA) provided under a state's unemployment insurance laws.
What if an employee refuses to come to work for fear of infection?
Your policies, that have been clearly communicated, should address this.Educating your workforce is a critical part of your responsibility.Local and state regulations may address what you have to do and you should align with them.
What if I go back to work full-time after unemployment in Mississippi?
Advise the MDES Call Center of the date you will return to work, or provide the date when filing your weekly claim form..
What are my rights if I disagree with an eligibility decision for unemployment benefits in Mississippi?
Whether you are an employer, or a claimant, you have the right to file an appeal and receive a hearing.
How can I correct wrong information on my 'Monetary Determination' in Mississippi?
Once you file a claim for benefits, you will receive a Monetary Determination. The Monetary Determination shows the wages reported by your employer(s) during each quarter of your base period. Study the notice carefully. Be sure that it includes all wages paid during the quarters shown. If you believe that some wages you earned are not shown, you should contact the MDES Call Center and file a request for re-determination.
What is the Mississippi unemployment extension?
EUC is a Federal temporary extension of unemployment compensation for unemployed individuals who have already collected all regular state benefits for which they were eligible.
Is EUC unemployment still available?
Under federal law, as of 2019, EUC benefits are no longer available. Extensions for collecting UI payments are in effect only during periods of high unemployment and only if the state or federal government take specific action to provide extended benefits.
How long can you extend unemployment benefits?
Extended benefits can be obtained by workers who have run through their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The basic Extended Benefits allows for 13 additional weeks of benefits if a state is experiencing a period of high unemployment. Some states have also initiated a voluntary program to pay an additional seven weeks of extended benefits totaling a maximum of 20 weeks.
How many weeks can you get extended unemployment?
Extended benefits can be obtained by workers who have run through their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The basic Extended Benefits allows for 13 additional weeks of benefits if a state is experiencing a period of high unemployment.
Why was the unemployment program signed into law?
The program was signed into law to combat the recession and keep the American economy from slipping into an economic depression. Granting an unemployment benefits extension to citizens already receiving aid would encourage spending to and keep businesses afloat.
What is the EUC08 program?
One federal extension program is called the Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08) which was a one-time legislative effort to assist those who lost their jobs during the Great Recession of 2008. The other is called Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED). However, these two unemployment extension programs are not currently active in ...
Can you get unemployment benefits extended in Mississippi?
Remember, these programs are only available during high unemployment periods and that you cannot initiate an unemployment benefits extension in Mississippi. If you are eligible for an unemployment extension, the government will notify you by mail.
Can I get an extension on unemployment?
You can only qualify for E B unemployment benefits extension if you have exhausted all of your regular unemployment benefits. If you qualify for an EB unemployment extension, you will receive additional benefits in the amount of 20 weeks or 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount on the original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less.
Do you keep a log of unemployment benefits?
In addition to keeping weekly job-seeking activities, unemployment claim beneficiaries are urged to keep a detailed log of the benefits received up to date. If you are unsure about whether you might be eligible for an unemployment compensation extension, you can always contact your unemployment counselor to check on whether extended benefits are ...
Register with MDES
The first thing you have to do is register with MDES Online Services. Whether you want to file a claim to receive weekly unemployment benefits or to search for a new job, you must register first. That’s how you get your personal User Name and PIN number to be able to use the online system whenever you need to.
Get the Details
Everything you need to know about filing for benefit claims, how to qualify to receive unemployment benefits, what to do to file your claim every week and how to prepare your work search record is here for you.
Claims Information
There are many types of unemployment benefits claims you can file, depending on your particular situation: regular claims, interstate claims, combined wage claims, federal civilian claims and federal military claims. Everything you need to know about each is here in one convenient location, along with additional programs that may benefit you.
