File through IDES online, by phone, or by mail

Illinois unemployment is handled by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). You can file your initial claim through their website at www2.illinois.gov/ides, by calling 1-877-342-6762, or by mailing a paper form to IDES. Most people file online because it is fastest — you can complete it in about 20 minutes if you have your information ready.

IDES will ask you to create an account before you file. You will need a valid email address and a password. Once your account is set up, you can file your claim, check the status of payments, and upload documents without calling.

Your claim becomes active on the date you file it. If you wait to file, you lose the weeks in between — Illinois does not backdate claims. File as soon as you stop working or have your hours cut.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim on the IDES website (www2.illinois.gov/ides) as soon as you lose work or have hours reduced, because claims do not cover weeks before you file.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your last employer ready before you start.
  • IDES will contact your employer to verify the reason you left work, so be honest about whether you quit, were laid off, or were fired.
  • Weekly claims are separate from your initial claim — you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment.
  • Illinois processes most claims within two to three weeks, but you may wait longer if IDES needs to investigate your separation from your employer.

What information to gather before you file

Before you log into IDES, collect these documents and details. Having them ready prevents you from getting stuck mid-process and losing your progress.

You will need your Social Security number, your Illinois driver's license or state ID number, and the date you stopped working. You will also need information about your last employer: the company name, the address, the phone number, and your job title. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, use the address of the branch where you actually worked.

If you were fired or quit, IDES will ask why. Be specific and factual — for example, "lack of work" if you were laid off, or "unsafe working conditions" if you left because of a hazard. Do not minimize or exaggerate. IDES contacts your employer to verify your account, and if the stories do not match, your claim may be delayed or denied.

Step-by-step: Filing your initial claim online

1. Go to www2.illinois.gov/ides and click "File a Claim." You will land on a page that explains what you need. Read the section titled "What You Need to Know Before You File" — it covers disqualifications specific to Illinois.

2. Create an account or log in. If this is your first time, click "Create Account." You will enter your email address and create a password. IDES will send you a confirmation email — click the link in that email to set up your account.

3. Answer the personal information section. Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and driver's license or state ID number. Make sure the spelling matches your government documents exactly.

4. Enter your address and contact information. Use your current mailing address. IDES will mail you a debit card with your payments, so this address must be correct. Provide a phone number where you can be reached.

5. Describe your last job. Enter your employer's name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. List your job title and describe what you did. Then answer why you are no longer working — select from the dropdown menu (laid off, quit, fired, hours reduced, etc.) and explain in the text box.

6. Answer questions about your work history. IDES will ask if you worked anywhere else in the past 18 months. List all employers, even if you only worked there for a few weeks. Include the dates, the company name, and how much you earned.

7. Answer questions about your situation. IDES asks whether you are looking for work, whether you are in school, and whether you have any disqualifying conditions (such as a pending criminal case or a previous overpayment you have not repaid). Answer honestly.

8. Review and submit. Read through your answers. If anything is wrong, go back and correct it. When you are ready, click "Submit Claim." You will see a confirmation number — write it down or take a screenshot.

Filing by phone or mail if you cannot use the website

If you do not have internet access or cannot navigate the website, call IDES at 1-877-342-6762. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Wait times are often long, especially in the first week after a layoff. Have all your information ready before you call.

You can also request a paper form by calling the same number. IDES will mail it to you. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it back to the address on the form. Paper claims take longer to process — expect an additional week or two compared to online filing.

File your weekly claim every week you want a payment

After your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive unemployment money. This is separate from your initial claim and is required even if you have already been approved.

Log into your IDES account and look for "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Claims." You will answer questions about whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you looked for work. File your weekly claim by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Saturday. If you miss the important date, you lose that week's payment.

IDES will deposit your payment onto a debit card within 24 hours of processing your weekly claim. You can also check your balance and transaction history through the card's app or website.

What happens after you file

IDES will send you a letter in the mail confirming that your claim was received. This letter will include your claim number and the weekly benefit amount you may receive. Keep this letter — you will need the claim number if you have questions or need to contact IDES.

IDES then contacts your employer to verify that you were laid off, quit, or had your hours cut. This process usually takes one to two weeks. If your employer disputes your account or if IDES has questions, they will call you or send you a letter asking for more information. Respond quickly — delays in responding can hold up your payments.

Most claims are approved within two to three weeks. If you do not hear anything after three weeks, log into your account and check the status. If the status says "pending investigation," call IDES to find out what they need from you.

Common mistakes that delay or deny claims

Filing late. Do not wait to file. Every week you delay is a week you cannot be paid for. File the day you stop working or have your hours cut.

Giving different reasons for leaving than your employer does. If you say you were laid off but your employer says you quit, IDES will investigate. Be consistent and factual in your account of what happened.

Not filing your weekly claim. Many people file their initial claim and then forget to file weekly. You will not receive any money if you do not file a weekly claim. Set a phone reminder for Sunday evening.

Providing incomplete employer information. If IDES cannot reach your employer to verify your claim, the process stalls. Double-check the phone number and address before you submit.

Not reporting work or earnings. If you work part-time or earn money while receiving unemployment, you must report it on your weekly claim. Illinois reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earn, but you are still may have access to to something. Failing to report work can result in an overpayment you have to repay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I receive each week?

Illinois calculates your weekly benefit based on your earnings in the past 12 months. The maximum weekly benefit in Illinois changes each year and is set by state law. Your approval letter will tell you the exact amount. You can also log into your IDES account and view your benefit amount under "Claim Details."

What if my employer says I quit when I was actually laid off?

IDES will investigate the disagreement. You will receive a letter asking you to explain what happened. Respond in writing with as much detail as possible — include dates, names of supervisors, and any emails or texts that support your version. If you have witnesses, include their contact information. IDES will make a decision based on the evidence.

Can I work part-time while receiving unemployment?

Yes, but you must report your earnings on your weekly claim. Illinois allows you to earn up to a certain amount before your benefit is reduced. Amounts above that threshold reduce your weekly payment dollar-for-dollar. Report all work honestly — failing to report it can result in an overpayment you must repay.

What if I do not have a driver's license or state ID?

Call IDES at 1-877-342-6762 and ask what alternative documents you can use. You may be able to use a passport, a birth certificate, or other government-issued identification. Have a few options ready when you call.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

Most claims are approved within two to three weeks. Once approved, your first payment is deposited onto your debit card within 24 hours of filing your first weekly claim. If your claim is under investigation, it may take longer. Check your account status regularly for updates.