File through Louisiana Workforce Commission's online portal or by phone

Louisiana's unemployment program is run by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). You can file your claim online at www.laworks.net, by phone at 1-866-783-5567, or in person at a local LWC office. Most people file online because it's faster — you'll get a confirmation number when ready and can check your claim status within 24 hours. The phone line has wait times, especially early in the week, but a representative will walk you through the entire process if you need help.

You have 13 weeks from the date you became unemployed to file your initial claim. This important date matters: if you wait longer, you lose the weeks you could have been paid for. Louisiana's benefit year runs from the Sunday of the week you file through the following year, so file as soon as you're laid off or your hours are cut.

Before you start, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or ID, your most recent pay stub, and the names and dates of employment for any jobs you held in the past 18 months. If you were fired, have the reason ready — Louisiana will ask. If you quit, you'll need to explain why it was for "good cause," which means a legitimate reason connected to your job (not personal preference).

Key Takeaways

  • File online at www.laworks.net, by phone at 1-866-783-5567, or at a local LWC office within 13 weeks of losing your job.
  • Louisiana pays between $7 and $247 per week depending on your prior earnings, for up to 26 weeks in most cases.
  • You must report your work search activities (usually three per week) on your weekly claim form, or your payment will be denied.
  • The LWC will contact your employer to verify the reason you left — have documentation ready if you quit or were fired for a reason you dispute.
  • After you file, you'll receive a information letter within two weeks; if it denies your claim, you have 30 days to request a hearing.

What information you need before you start

Have your Social Security number and a valid ID ready — the system will ask for both. You'll also need your most recent pay stub or a record of your last wage, because Louisiana calculates your weekly benefit amount based on what you earned in the highest-earning quarter of the past 18 months. If you don't have a pay stub, write down the dates you worked and your hourly rate or salary.

Gather the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all employers you worked for in the past 18 months, along with the dates you started and stopped at each job. If you were laid off, have the date and reason (reduction in force, business closure, lack of work). If you were fired, write down the reason your employer gave you and any written documentation you have — a termination letter, email, or text message. If you quit, write down the date and the specific reason (unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, relocation of the business, etc.). Louisiana will contact your employer to verify, so accuracy matters.

If you're self-employed or a contractor, you'll need your business tax ID and records of your net income from the past 18 months. Self-employed workers file a different form and have different rules; call 1-866-783-5567 and ask to speak to someone about self-employment claims.

Step-by-step: Filing online at www.laworks.net

  1. Go to www.laworks.net and click "File a Claim." You'll land on a page that says "Unemployment Insurance" with a button to start. Click it.
  2. Create a login or sign in. If this is your first time, you'll create a username and password. Use an email you check regularly — Louisiana will send you updates about your claim there.
  3. Answer the initial questions about your employment status. The system will ask whether you were laid off, fired, or quit. Answer honestly. If you were laid off, select that option. If you were fired, select "discharged" and be ready to explain why. If you quit, select "quit" and explain the reason.
  4. Enter your employer information. Type the name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer exactly as it appears in their records. The LWC will call them to verify. If you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, add each one.
  5. Report your wages. Enter the dates you worked and your gross pay (before taxes). If you're unsure of exact amounts, use your pay stub or W-2 as a guide. Louisiana uses this to calculate your weekly benefit.
  6. Answer questions about your availability to work. Louisiana will ask if you're able and willing to work full-time. Answer yes unless you have a documented restriction (disability, medical condition, etc.). If you answer no, you may be denied.
  7. Review your answers and submit. Read through everything once before you hit submit. You'll get a confirmation number — write it down or take a screenshot.
  8. Set up your weekly claim filing. After you submit your initial claim, Louisiana will tell you which day of the week you must file your weekly claim form. This is separate from your initial claim and must be done every week you want to be paid.

Filing by phone if you can't use the website

Call 1-866-783-5567 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Have all your information ready before you call — the representative will ask the same questions as the online form, and the call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You'll get a confirmation number at the end. If the line is busy, hang up and try again later or file online instead; there's no advantage to waiting on hold.

If you have a disability or language barrier, tell the representative when you call. Louisiana can arrange an interpreter or provide materials in a different format. You can also visit a local LWC office in person; find the nearest one at www.laworks.net under "Locations."

How much you'll receive and when payments start

Louisiana's weekly benefit ranges from $7 to $247, depending on your prior earnings. The LWC calculates this by taking your highest-earning quarter in the past 18 months, dividing it by 13, and then taking a percentage of that amount. You'll see your calculated weekly benefit amount on your information letter, which arrives within two weeks of filing.

Payments are made by debit card (not a check). When you file, Louisiana will issue you a debit card that money is loaded onto each week you're paid. The card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 days. If you don't receive it, call 1-866-783-5567 and ask them to reissue it.

Your first payment usually arrives one to two weeks after your claim is approved, but this depends on whether your employer contests it. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct or that you quit without good cause, the LWC will investigate before paying you. During this time, you can still file your weekly claims; you'll be paid retroactively once the claim is approved.

Filing your weekly claim form every week

After your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim form every week to receive payment. Louisiana will tell you which day of the week you must file — usually it's the same day each week. You can file online at www.laworks.net, by phone, or through the LWC mobile app.

On your weekly form, you'll report whether you worked that week, how many hours you worked (if any), and how much you earned. You'll also report your work search activities — Louisiana requires you to document at least three work search activities per week (explore for jobs, attending interviews, contacting employers, attending job training, etc.). Write down the date, the employer or organization you contacted, and what you did. If you don't report work search activities, your payment will be denied.

File your weekly claim on time every week, even if you worked part-time or earned some income. Louisiana will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earned, but you may still receive a partial payment. If you miss a week, you lose that week's payment and may have to requalify.

What happens after you file: The information letter and appeals

Within two weeks of filing, you'll receive a information letter in the mail and an email. This letter tells you whether your claim was approved or denied, your weekly benefit amount, and how many weeks of benefits you're may have access to to receive. Read it carefully — if anything is wrong, you have 30 days to request a hearing.

If your claim is denied, the letter will explain why. Common reasons include: your employer said you were fired for misconduct, you quit without good cause, you didn't meet the earnings requirement, or you're not able and available to work. If you disagree, you can request a hearing by calling 1-866-783-5567 or mailing a written request to the address on the letter within 30 days. At the hearing, you can present evidence (emails, texts, witness statements, medical records) to support your case. A hearing officer will make a decision, usually within two weeks.

If your claim is approved, your information letter will show your weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you can receive benefits. In most cases, this is 26 weeks. Keep this letter — you'll need it if you have questions later.

Common mistakes that delay or deny claims

Not filing within 13 weeks of losing your job. This is a hard important date. If you wait longer, you lose the weeks you could have been paid for. File as soon as you're laid off or your hours are cut.

Giving inaccurate employer information. If you misspell your employer's name or give the wrong address, the LWC can't verify your employment and may deny your claim. Double-check the spelling and address before you submit.

Not reporting work search activities on your weekly form. Louisiana requires three work search activities per week. If you don't report them, your payment will be denied. Write them down as you do them so you don't forget.

Working and not reporting it on your weekly form. If you earn money and don't report it, the LWC will catch it when they verify your claim, and you'll have to repay the overpayment plus interest. Always report earnings, even if you think they're too small to matter.

Saying you quit when you were actually laid off, or vice versa. This changes whether you're paid. If you were laid off, say so. If you quit, be specific about the reason. The LWC will verify with your employer, so accuracy matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct?

The LWC will send you a notice asking for your side of the story. You have 10 days to respond in writing. Send a detailed explanation, dates, and any evidence (emails, texts, witness names, performance reviews). If you disagree with the information, you can request a hearing within 30 days. At the hearing, you can present evidence and explain what happened. Misconduct in Louisiana means deliberate violation of a reasonable employer rule, not just poor performance or a mistake.

Can I file if I quit my job?

Yes, but only if you quit for "good cause." Good cause means a legitimate reason connected to your job — unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, a significant cut in hours, or the business relocating. Personal reasons (wanting a different job, moving for family, going back to school) don't count. Be specific about why you quit when you file.

What if I'm still working part-time while I file?

You can still file. Report your part-time earnings on your weekly claim form. Louisiana will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earn, but you may still receive a partial payment. The reduction is calculated based on a formula the LWC provides on your information letter.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved without any issues, your first payment arrives one to two weeks after approval. If your employer contests your claim, it may take longer — sometimes three to four weeks. You can still file your weekly claims during this time; you'll be paid retroactively once the claim is approved.

What if I don't receive my debit card?

Call 1-866-783-5567 and ask them to reissue it. The card usually arrives within 7 to 10 days. If you need money urgently, ask if they can expedite it or arrange a direct deposit to your bank account instead.