Unemployment Benefits for Claimants

If you were eligible for unemployment before the federal legislation passed, please apply as soon as you can at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui.

If you were not eligible for unemployment before the CARES Act (Federal Stimulus Bill) was passed we are asking you to wait* to file because our system is not yet set up to accept your application. We are waiting on additional guidance from USDOL. We expect those changes to be complete by mid-to late-April. We understand how important it is to get these payments to you as quickly as possible, and we are doing everything we can to get you the help you need. We will have the most up-to-date information at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/caresact.

Contacting Unemployment

DWD is experiencing an unprecedented call volume to our unemployment insurance and IT help lines. Unless you have received official notification from Unemployment Insurance that you must call our call center, please search for your answer at dwd.wi.gov/covid19/ or dwd.wi.gov/uiben/faqs in order to free up phone lines for folks who are required to call in.