
- 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 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
- 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.
- Prepare all your information ahead of time. In order to complete your application, you’ll need the following information and documents.
- Complete your initial application. ...

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.
Can I apply for pandemic unemployment 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 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.
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.
How do I file a backdated Pua claim in Illinois?
If you did not file your claim on time because of issues with the IDES website, ask a rep about backdating your claim by calling (800) 244-5631.
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.
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 often do Illinois unemployment benefits come out?
In Illinois, the payments usually arrive on the 1st and the 15th of each month, although they may be delayed due to weekends and holidays.
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 to apply for IDES benefits?
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. Provide all requested information.
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 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.
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits?
You can receive your benefits by direct deposit or on a debit card. If you choose direct deposit, the benefit amount will be deposited within two business days.
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.
How to determine the amount of unemployment in Illinois?
Your base period is based on the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the beginning of your benefit year. To determine the exact amount and duration of your Illinois unemployment compensation, go to the benefit table on the IDES website.
How often do you get unemployment benefits 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.
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.
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.
What happens if you are denied unemployment in Illinois?
If your appeal is denied, Illinois unemployment laws guarantee your right to appeal to the Board of Review, an independent five-person body, who will also review your case. If you are rejected at this level, your final option is to file an appeal with the Circuit Court of the county where you live.
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.
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 unemployment insurance in Illinois?
Unemployment insurance is a statewide government program in Illino is. It gives money to people who are temporarily out of work. It is run by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
How long does it take to get extended unemployment in Illinois?
The amount changes based on the Illinois unemployment rate. You may qualify if you have exhausted your 26 weeks of regular state unemployment and the additional 13 weeks of federal PEUC benefits.
How to correct my IDES claim?
You can correct your application or claim information by calling the IDES at (800) 244-5631.
How long does it take for IDES to process a debit card?
The IDES sends a debit card a few days after your application is processed. However, it can take a few weeks for the IDES to determine your benefits. This may be why you received a debit card with a $0 balance. You can also set up your bank account to receive direct deposit by logging into your account on the IDES website.
What is the period of time IDES looks at for your income?
You must also have made a certain amount of money recently. The period of time IDES looks at for your income is your “base period.” To see if you qualify:
How often do you have to certify for unemployment?
You must certify on the day listed on your Finding. If you miss your certification day, you can certify on Thursday or Friday of that week. You must certify every two weeks. You can do this online or by calling Tele- Serve at (312) 338-4337.
When will the extra unemployment money be available in 2021?
Are receiving at least a total amount of $100 per week in unemployment compensation. This extra money lasts through Monday, September 6th, 2021. IDES lists this date as Saturday, September 4th, 2021 because they calculate weeks from Saturday to Saturday. Learn more about this extra amount.
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.
How long do you have to be out of work to get unemployment in Illinois?
In Illinois, there are two basic eligibility requirements for receiving unemployment benefits. First, you must have earned a minimum amount during a one-year “base period,” which is generally the first four of the five completed calendar quarters before you filed for benefits. Second, you must be out of work involuntarily, ...
How long is Illinois unemployment?
Normally, unemployment benefits in Illinois are limited 26 weeks' worth of compensation. During periods of high unemployment in the state, extended benefits might be available.
How much unemployment will Illinois get in 2021?
In 2021, the maximum was $505 without an extra allowance for a dependent. Normally, unemployment benefits in Illinois are limited 26 weeks' worth of compensation. During periods of high unemployment in the state, extended benefits might be available (in addition to the federally funded extension of benefits available under the PEUC program, ...
What is PUA in unemployment?
The first program, known as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), allows freelancers, gig workers, and other self-employed individuals to qualify for unemployment benefits if they meet certain criteria.
What are some examples of misconduct in Illinois?
Some examples of misconduct under Illinois law include: falsifying your job application paperwork. serious carelessness that endangers employees. intoxication at work. insubordination. failing to maintain the licenses and certifications required for your job, and.
What factors are considered when determining if a job is suitable for unemployment?
In determining whether a job is suitable, the IDES will consider factors including: the commute. your prior experience, training, and earnings.
Do you have to file a biweekly unemployment claim in Illinois?
Once you file your initial claim, you will have to file a biweekly claim (or "certification") for benefits. You will have to answer questions about your job search and earnings, among other things. To remain eligible for benefits in Illinois, you must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking work during each week you are unemployed. You must keep records of your job search, although you are not required to submit them unless requested.
What is iLogin in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) have partnered together to integrate ILogin, a new identity verification and multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution into the IDES unemployment insurance benefit system this week. ILogin creates a new, simple, more secure login process for claimants accessing their IDES accounts, including integrating MFA and identity verification software to protect claimants.
Did the number of nonfarm jobs decrease in Illinois?
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in March, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro 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 ...
What is the 2008 unemployment extension?
This federal unemployment extension programs is called Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (Also known as EUC08).
