how to apply for illinois unemployment benefits

1. Check if you're eligible. Not all unemployed workers qualify for unemployment benefits in Illinois.
2. Gather required information. You must supply the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) with certain information.
3. 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.
4. 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. ...

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. ...

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How do you file unemployment claim in Illinois?

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. [4] X Research source Hearing impaired applicants should call 866-322-8357. Visit an office to file. You may also file at any IDES office.

How much does Illinois unemployment pay?

Unemployment Taxes & Reporting

• Did you know ... Paid $20,000 in cash wages in one calendar quarter or employed 10 or more workers for 20 weeks in a given calendar year for farm work.
• Information & Forms. With MyTax Illinois you can file your monthly or quarterly wage report using this secure online application.
• Personal Liability of Responsible Parties. ...

How to check the status of my Illinois unemployment claim?

S To Apply For Unemployment

1. Make sure you are eligible. Unemployment Insurance helps eligible workers who have lost their job, or are on reduced hours, by providing temporary supplemental income.
2. Prepare all your information ahead of time. In order to complete your application, you’ll need the following information and documents.
3. Complete your initial application. ...

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How do I apply for an Illinois unemployment pandemic?

So, you need to first apply for regular unemployment insurance. 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.

What documents do I need to apply 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 much money do you get on unemployment 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.

How do I apply for Covid 19 unemployment benefits $600?

How Do I Apply? To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.

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.

Who qualifies for unemployment Illinois?

Who is eligible for Illinois Unemployment Insurance?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.

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.

What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Illinois 2021?

$484.00The maximum individual weekly unemployment benefit is currently $484.00. Federal relief is currently providing an additional $300 benefit per week through March 14, 2021. You do not need to apply separately for this benefit. You are eligible even if it is a larger amount than your weekly salary.

Is unemployment paid weekly or biweekly in Illinois?

Illinois unemployment benefit payments are distributed on a biweekly basis through direct deposit or a prepaid debit card. You only receive a payment for each week you file a weekly claims certification with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Is pandemic unemployment still available?

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was a social welfare payment for employees and self-employed people who lost all their employment due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The PUP scheme is closed.

How much is the pandemic unemployment assistance?

$167 plus $600 per week for each week you are unemployed due to COVID-19. $167 per week, for each week that you are unemployed due to COVID-19.

Do you have to pay back unemployment during Covid-19?

States tried clawing back overpayments from hundreds of thousands of people earlier in the pandemic. Labor Department officials issued initial rules in May 2021 that let states waive collection in some cases and asked states to refund any amounts already collected toward the overpayment.

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 ...