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Unemployment Benefits for Claimants

NOTE: The Department of Workforce Development submitted a grant application for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program on August 27, 2020. The grant was approved on September 1, 2020. DWD will update this site when additional information is available.

We are 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), e.g. self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history.

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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COVID-19 Unemployment FAQs
  • Fraud Alert: UI Scams & Identity Theft
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  • 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
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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

The Department of Workforce Development submitted a grant application for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program on August 27, 2020. The grant was approved on September 1, 2020. DWD will update this site when additional information is available.

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

  • If you are unemployed and you've worked for a covered employer 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, apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) online at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/pua.

Did You Know? All unemployment benefits are taxable. You can opt to have federal and state taxes withheld at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits Unemployment FAQs about COVID-19