Minnesota Unemployment Application

Unemployment Insurance is a state-federal program that provides temporary cash benefits to eligible workers who are currently unemployed through no fault of their own. Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states have to follow the guidelines established by federal law. These benefits are in place only to aid unemployed individuals to survive until they find a new job.

Apply for Minnesota unemployment benefits the week you become unemployed or your hours are greatly reduced. You should be working less than 32 hours per week to be considered as unemployed. Also note that a weeks time is required to process your documents after which your eligibility status will be declared.

You can apply for unemployment insurance benefits –

• Online
• Phone using the Applicant Self-Service System.

To Apply Online

Go to www.uimn.org
Click Applicant.
Under I Need to…, click Apply for Benefits .
Use the login page to enter you Social Security Number and get started.

By Phone

Choose between English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali:

• Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
• Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090
• TTY (for the hearing impaired): 1-866-814-1252

Applicant Self-Service System hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Before you start your application, keep the following details in hand to get through the filing process smoothly:

Personal Information –

• Social Security number
• Alien Registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
• Driver’s license number or other state government identification number
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Birth date
• Your bank account number and bank routing number, if you want to use direct deposit for benefit payment. You can also request direct deposit at a later time.

Employment History –

• Employment history for the past 18 months
• Each employer’s name, address and telephone number
• Dates of employment (month and year)
• Pay rate
• Reason you no longer work for the employer

Specific Information –

• If you are a union member, you will need the union name and local/lodge number.

• If you were in the military in the last 18 months, you will need information from your DD-214 Member 4 (not mandatory to apply).

• If you were a federal employee in the last 18 months, you will need information from your SF 8.

It is important to know if you qualify to receive unemployment benefits. Use one of the links below to know more about Minnesota Unemployment.

More on Minnesota Unemployment –

Calculate Benefit amount
Check your Eligibility