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Max Weekly Benefit Amount
$235
Max Weeks of Benefits
26
Current Jobless Rate
5%
Eligibility Criteria
Apply For UI
UI Benefit
Post Applications
Contact Details
FAQs

Mississippi Unemployment Benefits

Unemployed Mississippians can receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, provided they have lost their job through no fault of their own. On this page, we have listed eligibility requirements and much more information about unemployment benefits in Mississippi.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) provides unemployment benefits only if you meet monetary and job separation requirements.

Monetary Eligibility

You can be monetary eligible for unemployment benefits if you:

  • Have earned at least $780 in the highest quarter of your base period
  • Have earned 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) in your base period

In Mississippi, the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the starting date of the claim.

Find out more about eligibility requirements

Job Separation

You will be disqualified from receiving benefits if you lost your job due to any of the following reasons:

  • You quit your job without good cause under the law
  • You failed to apply for or accept a suitable job
  • You were fired for misconduct
  • You were fired for failing a drug and alcohol test
  • You are unemployed due to a labor dispute
  • You are receiving or seeking UI benefits from another state

Eligibility requirements – overview


Maintaining Eligibility

You should meet your eligibility requirements as long as you are unemployed and wish to collect Mississippi unemployment benefits. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:

  • Be available for work
  • Be able to take up a work
  • Look for a full-time job
  • Register for work at the WIN Job Center in your area
  • Record your work search activities

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi?

You must submit the following documents to apply for UI benefits in Mississippi:

You can file for unemployment benefits online or by phone.

Online

Online is one of the fastest and safest ways to apply for unemployment benefits. You can file for Montana benefits online at https://mdes.ms.gov/information-center/about-mdes/online-services/. If you do not have access to the internet or computer at your home, you can use the computers at the WIN Job Centers or public libraries.

Telephone:

Alternatively, you can apply for unemployment benefits by calling 601-855-3133 or 1-888-844-3577.

How To File Weekly Claims?

You can file weekly certifications online. A week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. You must file the weekly claim after the week has ended but before the next week begins. For instance, if you are filing for week-ending July 9, 2014, you must file a weekly claim before 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2014.
Note that you will not receive benefits for the week you failed to file a claim.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

Your benefit amount will depend on your earnings in the base period. In Mississippi, the Maximum Benefit Amount you will receive during your benefit year is 26 times your Weekly Benefit Amount or 1/3 of your total base period wages, whichever is the lesser. In Mississippi, the maximum benefit amount you can receive is $235, and the minimum is $30.

Benefits Calculator

Use the benefits calculator to determine your estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.

Disclaimer: The estimates are good in faith and accuracy is not guaranteed. We are not liable for any loss and damages caused by using the tools on our website. This calculator is here to assist you in evaluating what you might obtain if you are entitled to receive benefits. We make no promises that the sum you receive will be equal to what the calculator illustrates.

Know more about the Benefits Calculator


Things To Know After Filing An Application

There are several aspects that you must know after filing for unemployment benefits.

Overpayments

Sometimes you may receive unemployment overpayment due to administrative errors, reversal of previous unemployment decisions, failure to report earnings, false statements, etc. If you receive an overpayment, the Department will send you an overpayment notice that includes repaying instructions.
If you fail to repay the overpayment, the Department will issue a collection warrant/lien. The Department may also put your federal and state income tax refund, and future unemployment benefits on hold.

Overpayment Through Fraud

If you receive overpayment due to failure to report earnings or false statements, the Department will disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits and may seek criminal prosecution. You may also be fined a maximum of $500 and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Benefits Extension

Normally, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in the state. In case of a high unemployment rate, MDES may provide benefits for additional weeks. Visit MDES to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

MDES, through contracts with the state’s workforce areas, offers job training to those who are unemployed. The Department also provides several tools to ease the job search process. Some of the job search tools include:

  • WIN Job Centers
  • Governor’s Job Fair Network
  • MSWorks Mobile App on AppStore
  • MSWorks Mobile App on GooglePlay
  • MDES Online Employment Services

In addition, the Department has also listed job searching resources to help you gather the necessary information in your specialized area. They include:

  • Job Hunting Tips
  • e-WIN Access Points
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Federal Bonding Program
  • Services for People with Disabilities
  • Other States’ Workforce Sites
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Know more job training opportunities in MS

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