Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Madison, Wis. -- State unemployment insurance staffers are working three of four Saturday mornings through Jan. 9 to take claims by telephone from those who lose jobs or worktime during the holidays.

The State Department of Workforce Development today announced its staff will be available to those who call 1-800-822-5246 (1-800-UCCLAIM) from 7:45-11:30 a.m. each Saturday during the period except Dec. 26.

Normally only automated service is available at this time.

The agency also announced that staff will be available by telephone for 30 minutes longer Monday through Thursdays during this period, until 5 p.m. Claims specialists normally are available throughout the year from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The automated claims service also will be available during the period starting at 7:45 a.m. on all four Saturdays, instead of 9 a.m., until 2:30 p.m. That is the normal ending time on Saturdays.

It also will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on four holidays -- Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and Jan. 1.

The automated claims service usually operates 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Those using the automated phone system at times when staff is not available should call back within 14 days if they are told they need to speak with a claims specialist . That usually includes those starting new claims or where there is a question about information they have provided. Those without touch-tone phones also need to call for all services during hours when staff is available.

Those filing claims in Milwaukee should call the claims line at 438-7700 while those in Madison should call 232-0678.

Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired callers with a telephone typewriter device should call the TTY toll free number -- 1-888-393-8914.

Phones usually are the busiest on Mondays.

All unemployment insurance services to claimants now are provided over the telephone. This includes filing new claims, filing for weekly benefits, and calling for assistance or other information.

The automated claims telephone line will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve Day, and New Year’s Day.

Those calling for the first time should select a four-digit personal identification number before they call. They also will need to know their social security number, their Wisconsin drivers’ license number (if they have one), and basic information about all of their employers and employment periods for the last 18 months or since they last filed a claim.

Workers who know their employers will be closed in the Christmas week are encouraged to call in their claims this week, if possible.