File through IDES online or by phone, not through your employer

Illinois unemployment claims go through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), not your former employer. You can file online at www2.illinois.gov/ides or by phone at 877-342-6762. The online portal is faster — most people complete it in 15 to 20 minutes — but the phone line works if you cannot access a computer or need help reading the form.

You do not need to wait for a termination letter or final paycheck to file. You can file the same day you stop working, though IDES will not pay benefits for any week you were still employed and earning wages. File as soon as possible after your last day of work, because benefits are backdated only to the week you file, not the week you lost your job.

Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and your work history from the past 18 months ready before you start. If you worked for multiple employers in that time, you will need their names, addresses, and the dates you worked there.

Key Takeaways

  • File directly with IDES online or by calling 877-342-6762; your employer does not file for you.
  • You must have worked in Illinois and earned at least $1,600 in your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file) to be considered for benefits.
  • Weekly benefit amounts in Illinois range based on your earnings history, but the maximum is set by state law and changes yearly.
  • IDES will contact your former employer to verify the reason you left; if they say you quit without cause, you may be disqualified unless you can show you had good reason.
  • After you file, you must certify your claim every two weeks by logging back into your IDES account or calling the automated line to report any work or income.

What you must have earned to be considered

Illinois requires you to have earned at least $1,600 during your base period to be considered for benefits. Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week you file. If you file in March 2024, your base period is January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

The $1,600 can come from one employer or spread across multiple employers. Part-time work counts the same as full-time work — IDES only looks at total earnings, not hours. If you earned $1,600 or more during that period, you meet the earnings requirement. If you earned less, you will be denied, and you cannot reapply until the next calendar quarter begins.

Self-employment income does not count toward the $1,600 threshold. Only wages reported to the Illinois Department of Revenue through W-2 forms or quarterly wage reports count. If you were paid in cash or under the table, IDES has no record of it and cannot count it.

How much you will receive each week

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your earnings during the base period. IDES divides your total base period earnings by 52 and pays you roughly 47 percent of that amount, up to a maximum. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Illinois changes each year based on state law; you can find the current maximum on the IDES website.

For example, if you earned $20,000 in your base period, your average weekly wage is about $385. Your weekly benefit would be roughly $181 (47 percent of $385), assuming that is below the state maximum. If you earned $50,000, your average weekly wage is about $962, but you would receive only the maximum weekly amount, not 47 percent of $962.

Benefits are paid by debit card (the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Debit Card) or direct deposit to your bank account. You choose the method when you file. The debit card is issued within 7 to 10 business days of approval; direct deposit takes 3 to 5 business days after you provide your bank details.

Why IDES might deny your claim

The most common reason for denial is leaving work without good cause. When you file, IDES contacts your employer and asks why you left. If your employer says you quit, IDES will deny your claim unless you can show you had good cause — meaning a real, work-related reason you could not control or a substantial change in your job.

Good cause includes unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay or hours without your agreement, harassment or discrimination, or a required move with your spouse that made the commute impossible. Disagreement with a manager, dislike of the work, or wanting a different job does not count as good cause. If IDES denies you for this reason, you can request a hearing and present your side of the story.

Other reasons for denial include not meeting the $1,600 earnings threshold, being fired for misconduct (willful violation of reasonable employer rules), or being disqualified for fraud (lying on your claim). If you were laid off or your hours were cut, you are almost never denied on these grounds — layoffs and reductions in force do not disqualify you.

The two-week certification process

After IDES approves your claim, you must certify every two weeks that you are still unemployed and looking for work. You do this by logging into your IDES account online or calling the automated certification line. You will be asked whether you worked any hours, earned any money, or refused any job offers in the past two weeks.

Certification is required to receive payment. If you do not certify, your benefits stop. You can certify online anytime during your certification week (IDES will tell you which week is yours), or you can call the automated line. The process takes about 5 minutes.

If you worked part-time or earned any income during the two-week period, you must report it. IDES does not take away your entire benefit — they reduce it based on how much you earned. In Illinois, you can earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment; earnings above that reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar.

What happens if your employer contests your claim

Your employer has 10 days from the date IDES contacts them to respond and contest your claim. If they say you were fired for misconduct or quit without cause, IDES will send you a notice of information. This notice explains why they are denying or approving your claim and tells you how to request a hearing if you disagree.

A hearing is held by an administrative law judge who listens to both you and your employer. You can attend by phone. Bring any documents that support your side — emails, texts, pay stubs, a written record of what happened. The judge will decide whether you are disqualified, and you can appeal their decision to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Board of Review if you lose.

Even if your employer contests your claim, you may still receive benefits while the dispute is being resolved. IDES will usually pay you pending the outcome, though if you lose the hearing, you may have to repay what you received.

How long benefits last and what to do if you run out

In Illinois, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks. If you exhaust your regular benefits and are still unemployed, you may be able to extend your claim through federal programs, but these are not always available — they depend on the state's unemployment rate and federal law at the time.

You do not need to reapply to extend your claim if you are still unemployed when your 26 weeks end. IDES will automatically move you to an extension if one is available. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether you may have access to and how many additional weeks you will receive.

If no extension is available, your benefits end. At that point, you can look into other programs: SNAP (food information), LIHEAP (utility information), or local job training programs. Your local American Job Center, found through the Illinois Department of Employment Security website, can connect you to these resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were laid off or fired without cause, you can file and will likely be approved. If you were fired for misconduct (breaking a clear rule, theft, violence, or repeated violations after warnings), IDES will deny your claim. You can request a hearing to explain your side if you believe the reason was unfair or inaccurate.

What if I quit my job?

Quitting disqualifies you unless you had good cause — a real, work-related reason you could not control. Good cause includes unsafe conditions, a significant pay cut, harassment, or a required move. Personal reasons like wanting a different job or disagreeing with your manager do not count. If IDES denies you, you can request a hearing to explain why you left.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most claims are approved within 2 to 3 weeks. If your employer contests your claim, it may take longer — up to 6 weeks or more if a hearing is needed. You can receive benefits while waiting for approval if IDES determines you are likely to be found may be able to access. Check your IDES account or the status line at 877-342-6762 to see where your claim stands.

Do I have to report part-time work or side income?

Yes. You must report all income, including part-time work, gig work, and self-employment, during your certification. IDES reduces your benefit based on what you earned, but you do not lose the entire payment. You can earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit without any reduction; earnings above that reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar.

What if I move out of Illinois while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive Illinois benefits if you move, but you must still certify every two weeks and report any work. If you move to another state and find work there, you may need to file a new claim in that state instead. Contact IDES before you move to understand how it affects your claim.