Unemployment is often a time of great uncertainty. Without the security of a steady paycheck, keeping up with bills and other expenses can be difficult and stressful. To help ease financial woes, the state of Minnesota offers unemployment insurance benefits to qualified applicants. Unemployment benefits provide a percentage of the worker's average weekly wage for a certain time period while that worker pursues another job. Applicants may apply for unemployment benefits in Minnesota through the state's unemployment insurance program. Applications can be completed online or by phone.

Qualifications

To receive Minnesota unemployment benefits, a person must meet several requirements. You must be a legal U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States. You also must have become unemployed or reduced to part-time work through no fault of you own. Workers who were terminated because of misconduct are not eligible for benefits. You must also meet the earnings requirement for your base period, the one-year time period before applying for benefits. To receive benefits, you must also furnish proof that you are available and actively seeking work. Additional qualifications apply to unemployed workers in special situations, such as unemployed workers who are also students.

Getting Started

As soon as possible after becoming unemployed or reduced to part-time work, apply for unemployment benefits to avoid processing delays. Before applying, make sure you know or have access to information required for the unemployment benefits application. To verify your identity, you will need to provide your Social Security number or alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen, your driver's license number or state identification number, mailing address, telephone number and birth date. You must also provide your entire work history from the prior 18 months, including employers' names, addresses and telephone numbers, dates of employment, wages and reasons why you are no longer with these employers. Union members must provide their union name and local number, and anyone who has worked as a federal employee in the last 18 months should have information from their SF8 ready. Also, if you would like your benefits deposited directly into your bank, you must furnish your bank account information, including your bank routing and account numbers.

Applying Online

To apply for unemployment benefits online, go to www.uimn.org and choose "Apply for UI Benefits." Then, enter your Social Security number or alien registration number into the log-in screen. This will direct you to the application, which will ask you for personal and employment information. After filling out the application, review for inaccuracies or incomplete areas. Once you are confident you have entered accurate information, submit the application. A confirmation screen will appear to indicate that your application has been submitted successfully. The online system is available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Friday as of 2009.

Applying by Phone

If you cannot apply or do not feel comfortable applying online, you may also apply for unemployment benefits by phone. For those in the Twin Cities area, call (651) 296-3644. Greater Minnesota residents may call the toll-free hotline at (877) 898-9090. The hearing impaired may call the TTY line at (866) 814-1252. Like the online system, the automated phone lines are available from Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After Applying

Within a few days after submitting your application, you will receive several important documents in the mail. An information handbook will provide answers to questions about unemployment benefits. Your Password Notification Letter will provide you with the password to use to access your account online or by phone. You will also receive instructions on how and when to request benefit payments. The amount of your benefit payments will be stated in your Determination of Benefit Account. Be sure to keep these documents for your reference. If your application is accepted, you will receive benefits for every week (except the waiting week, or the first week after becoming unemployment) until you find suitable full-time work.

Source:

How to apply for unemployment insurance benefits

Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits frequently asked questions

Resource:

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance: Applicant self-service system