File an Unemployment Insurance Claim
· Online
· At an IWD office
· Through employer
Benefit Inquiry System
To check on the status of your claim or for questions
about your benefit amount, call the UISC at (800) 850-5627
(toll-free outside the Des Moines area) or 281-6231 (within the Des
Moines calling area) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to
4:59 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
Note: If Monday is a holiday, information is not available until
Wednesday of that week.
Requirements Stay the Same!
Although the agency is making it more convenient to sign up for these benefits, the basic eligibility requirements remain the same:
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Total or partial unemployment;
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Have worked and earned a certain amount of wages in work covered by unemployment insurance in the last 15 to 18 months (the agency will help you determine this criteria);
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Have lost your job through no fault of your own;
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Are able and available for work;
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Have registered to work at your local Workforce Development Center unless exempted; and
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Are actively seeking work.
Providing Information Each Week to Continue to Receive Payments
Most Iowans can receive unemployment insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks, and in some cases 39 weeks. After you have provided the initial information needed to confirm your eligibility, you’ll be asked to provide additional information to continue receiving payments.
Each week you’ll be asked to certify that you:
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Are unemployed or working only reduced hours;
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Are able and available for work;
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Have not refused any job offers or referrals;
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Are actively looking for work (unless waived); and
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Are reporting any pay or pension you may be receiving.
To provide this information just call (515) 281-6231 in the Des Moines
calling area or toll free outside Des Moines, 1-800-850-5627. A computerized voice response unit will answer and a prerecorded message will ask you the eligibility questions one at a time. This is the same process that has been used for many years and will be very familiar to those who routinely file for unemployment insurance benefits because of seasonal layoffs.
Providing quality customer service is the primary mission of Iowa Workforce Development. Whether you file for benefits over the phone,
use the Internet, or use the paper forms, we want to help you receive the assistance you are entitled to.
Your Easy Way to File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits!
