How to apply for unemployment benefits in Washington, DC

Apply Online | Visit a DC American Job Center

Applying for DC Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The DC unemployment office no longer accepts new applications over the phone. To apply for unemployment benefits in Washington DC, you must apply online.

For help applying online, make an appointment with your local American Job Center.

To be eligible for DC unemployment insurance, you must meet the following criteria:

Be able, available, and actively looking for work
Be unemployed through no fault of your own
Worked enough wages to file a claim

How to apply for DC unemployment benefits

To submit your DC unemployment application, follow these steps:

Go to does.dcnetworks.org and select “File for Benefits”
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “File Your Claim Online.”
Answer the application questions with accurate, honest information to complete the filing process.

Information needed to apply

Your most recent employer’s name, address, phone number, and dates of employment

Social Security number
DD214, if you are ex-military
Your Alien Registration Number, if you are not a US citizen
Pension information, if applicable
Severance pay information, if applicable
Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50, if you are a former federal employee

You will be required to show your photo ID, Social Security card, and other documents with your name and mailing address. You will receive instructions via phone or email if DOES requires more information.

Verifying your identity

The DC unemployment office has implemented an identity verification security feature during the online application process due to the high frequency of unemployment fraud and identity theft occurring in the District of Columbia and across the United States.

This verification program is mandatory for all UI benefit recipients. When you first apply for unemployment benefits online, your identity will be checked and confirmed. During the application process, your personal information will be checked against a database, and you’ll be asked a series of questions that only you can answer.

If there are any issues with your information or answers, your claim will be put on hold, and you’ll need to provide acceptable documentation to verify your identity. The District of Columbia’s Office of Unemployment Compensation will let you know what documents you need to provide. You can either email, fax, or bring them in person to the nearest DC unemployment office within seven days. Once your identity is confirmed, you can start receiving benefits.

Setting up your payment method

During the UI claim application process, you will be asked to set up direct deposit to receive your weekly payments. If you are unable to receive direct deposit, a debit card will be mailed to you. You can estimate your weekly benefit amount by using the DC unemployment calculator.

How to set up direct deposit

Direct Deposit is an electronic transfer of your DC unemployment insurance payment to your bank account. It’s a safe, fast, and easy way to receive your benefits without the risk of lost or stolen checks.

To enroll in Direct Deposit, you will need to provide your bank’s name, routing number (usually found on your check), bank account number, and account type (checking or savings).

After you provide your account information and file your continued claim form, the bank will verify your account information. If everything checks out and you’re eligible for benefits, payment will be transferred to your account. If there are any issues with your account information, you will be notified by DOES.

Once DOES processes your weekly claims, you can expect your payment to be available in your account two business days later. For example, a claim processed on a Monday is typically available on Wednesday.

After you apply for unemployment benefits

If you have met the monetary requirements, if you were laid off through no fault of your own, your claim should be processed within two weeks.

However, if your employer disputes the claim and says that you were fired or quit without good cause, it can take up to 21 days to investigate and make a determination. In the meantime, you must certify your weekly claims or risk losing benefits. If your claim is approved, you will receive payment for those certified weeks.

Make sure to respond quickly to any mail, email, or voice messages you receive from DOES. Continue to certify for UI benefits each week, starting on the Sunday after you apply. It’s important to conduct your weekly work searches, too.

You’ll also need to register for work through your local American Job Center and provide written records of your job search activities if requested by the agency. Remember to start your work search in the same week you apply for benefits.

How long will benefits last?

In Washington, DC, the maximum number of weeks residents can receive unemployment compensation is 26 weeks. Currently, there are no UI benefit extensions available.

As of September 4, 2021, the pandemic-related unemployment programs that were previously available under the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act have expired. This includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Extended Benefits (EB), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). These programs were established to help unemployed workers who lost their jobs or had reduced work hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While these specific programs are no longer available, DC residents can still collect regular unemployment insurance benefits.

If your application is denied

If your claim is denied and you are deemed ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits, you will receive a written notice explaining why you were denied. If you don’t agree with the decision, you have the right to file an appeal within 15 days. During the appeal process, you should still certify for benefits each week to avoid lost compensation.