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Unemployment Benefits for Claimants

NOTE: We are now accepting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) online applications from individuals unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic who do not qualify for Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI).

If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may apply for unemployment benefits online. File weekly claims to receive benefit payments after requirements are met.

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File Your Weekly Claim

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Your Claim Information

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Handbook for Claimants

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COVID-19 Unemployment FAQs
  • Fraud Alert: UI Scams & Identity Theft
  • What Teachers and School Employees Should Know
  • Which Unemployment Program is for You?

Additional Programs & Services

  • Extended Benefits (EB) - for additional 13 weeks of benefits when regular UI and PEUC are exhausted
  • Job Center of Wisconsin (JCW) - for work registration and other employment and training resources
  • Re-Employment Services (RES) - for job seekers required to look for work
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA) - for job lost due to foreign competition
  • Legal Resources - for appeal hearings and law change information

Filing Requirements Video

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201 E. Washington Ave
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-3131

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Unemployment and COVID-19

See the flow chart: Which Unemployment Program is for You?

  • If you are unemployed and you've worked for a covered employer (an employer who pays UI tax) in the last 18 months - please apply for Regular Unemployment Insurance at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply.

  • If you are filing because of the CARES Act (a.k.a. Federal Stimulus Bill), e.g. self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, you can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) online at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/pua.

Did You Know? All unemployment benefits are taxable. Withhold federal and state taxes from your weekly benefit NOW, so you don't have to pay them later. You can opt to have taxes withheld at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

Contacting Unemployment

DWD is experiencing an unprecedented call volume. To reduce wait times:

  • If your last name begins with letter A to M please call Monday - Friday between 6:15 a.m. and Noon, or Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • If your last name begins with letter N to Z please call Monday - Friday between Noon and 5:30 p.m., or Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you were not told to call, first look for answers online at dwd.wi.gov/covid19 or dwd.wi.gov/uiben/faqs.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits Unemployment FAQs about COVID-19