File your weekly claim through Georgia's online portal or by phone every week you are out of work

Georgia requires you to file a claim for each week you want to receive unemployment money. You cannot file all your weeks at once. The state's system, called CONNECT, opens on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and closes on Friday at 11:59 p.m. each week. You must file during that window to get paid for that week.

You have two ways to file: through the CONNECT website at connect.mdes.ms.gov (note: Georgia uses the Mississippi system) or by calling the Georgia Department of Labor at 1-877-709-8185. Most people file online because the phone line has long wait times, especially early in the week.

Filing takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have the right information ready. The state deposits money into your account by Wednesday or Thursday of the following week, though timing depends on your bank.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file a new claim every week between Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and Friday at 11:59 p.m., or you will not be paid for that week.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about any work or income you had that week before you start.
  • Answer honestly about whether you worked, earned money, or turned down a job — the state cross-checks this information and can deny future weeks if you lie.
  • If you miss the Friday important date, you can file a late claim, but you will lose pay for that week unless the state approves the late filing.
  • Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than a debit card, so set it up during your initial claim if you have not already.

What information you need before you file

Gather these items before you log into CONNECT or call. Having them ready cuts your filing time in half and reduces mistakes that can delay payment.

You will need your Social Security number, your date of birth, and a valid Georgia driver's license or ID number. If you do not have a Georgia ID, use your out-of-state license number or passport number. The system also asks for your current mailing address and phone number, so have those correct.

For the weekly questions, you need to know whether you worked any hours that week, how much you earned (if you worked), and whether you turned down any job offers or missed any interviews. Georgia also asks whether you were sick, in jail, or unable to work for any reason. Write down the dates and details if any of these explore to you that week.

If you worked part-time or gig work, have your pay stubs or a record of what you earned. Georgia subtracts a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit, so the amount matters. If you are unsure of the exact figure, write down your best estimate — you can correct it later if your employer sends different information.

Step-by-step: Filing online through CONNECT

Step 1: Log in or create an account. Go to connect.mdes.ms.gov and enter your Social Security number and password. If this is your first time, you will create a password and answer security questions. Write down your password somewhere safe — you will use it every week.

Step 2: Select "File Weekly Claim." On your dashboard, you will see a button or link that says "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Claim." Click it. The system will show you which week you are filing for — it should be the current week or the week that just ended.

Step 3: Answer the weekly questions. The system asks whether you worked, earned money, were sick, missed any interviews, or turned down any jobs. Answer each question honestly. If you worked, enter the number of hours and the amount you earned. If you did not work, select "No" for all work-related questions.

Step 4: Review your answers. Before you submit, read through everything you entered. Check that your hours and earnings are correct and that you answered all questions. If something is wrong, go back and fix it.

Step 5: Submit your claim. Click the "Submit" or "File Claim" button. The system will show a confirmation number and a message saying your claim was received. Write down the confirmation number or take a screenshot — keep it for your records.

Filing by phone if you cannot use the website

Call 1-877-709-8185 between Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and Friday at 11:59 p.m. Have your Social Security number and the information listed above ready before you call. Wait times are longest on Monday and Tuesday mornings, so calling Wednesday through Friday usually means a shorter hold.

When you reach a representative, they will ask the same questions as the online form: whether you worked, how much you earned, whether you were sick or unable to work, and whether you turned down any jobs. Answer each question clearly. The representative will read back your answers before they submit your claim, so listen carefully and correct anything that is wrong.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down. If there is ever a dispute about whether you filed, this number proves you did.

What happens if you miss the Friday important date

If Friday passes and you have not filed, you can still file a late claim the following week. However, you will not be paid for the week you missed unless Georgia approves your late filing. The state approves late claims only if you had a good reason — for example, you were hospitalized, your internet was down, or there was a death in your family.

To file a late claim, log into CONNECT or call the same number and explain why you missed the important date. Have documentation if you can — a hospital discharge paper, a utility bill showing your internet was disconnected, or a death certificate. The state will review your reason and decide whether to pay you for that week. This can take one to two weeks.

Do not assume your late claim will be approved. File on time every week to avoid this problem. Set a phone reminder for Thursday evening so you do not forget.

Common mistakes that delay or stop your payment

The most common mistake is lying about whether you worked or earned money. If you say you did not work but your employer reports that you did, Georgia will flag your claim and may deny payment for that week or future weeks. If you worked even a few hours, report it. The state subtracts part of your earnings from your benefit, but you still get paid — you just get less that week.

Another mistake is entering the wrong amount of earnings. If you earned $200 but enter $20, and your employer's records show $200, the state will catch it. This can trigger an investigation that delays all your payments. If you are unsure of the exact amount, call your employer or check your pay stub before you file.

Forgetting to file at all is also common. If you do not file by Friday at 11:59 p.m., you do not get paid for that week. There is no automatic payment and no grace period. You have to file every single week, even if nothing changed from the week before.

Finally, do not ignore a message from Georgia asking you to verify information or provide documents. If the state sends you a message through CONNECT or by mail, respond within the important date they give you. If you do not, they may stop your payments until you do.

What to do if your payment is late or missing

If you filed on time but did not receive payment by Thursday, log into CONNECT and check your claim status. The system shows whether your claim was approved, denied, or is still being reviewed. If it says "Approved," your payment is on the way — it may arrive Friday or the following Monday depending on your bank.

If your claim says "Denied" or "Pending," call the Georgia Department of Labor at 1-877-709-8185. Have your confirmation number ready. A representative can tell you why your claim was denied or what is holding up your payment. Common reasons include a missing answer to a question, a mismatch between what you reported and what your employer reported, or a flag for fraud investigation.

If the state is investigating your claim, they will send you a letter or message asking for more information. Respond as quickly as you can with whatever they ask for. Do not ignore it. Investigations can take two to four weeks, and your payments will be held until it is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my claim early, like on Saturday or Sunday morning?

No. CONNECT opens at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday. You cannot file before Sunday or after Friday. If you try to file outside this window, the system will not let you. Plan to file during the week so you do not run out of time.

What if I worked a few hours one day but forgot to report it?

Log back into CONNECT and file an amended claim as soon as you remember. Explain in the notes section that you forgot to include those hours. Include the date you worked and how much you earned. The state will review your correction and adjust your payment if needed. It is better to correct it yourself than to wait for the state to discover it.

Do I have to file every week, even if I am still waiting to hear about a job?

Yes. You must file every week you want to receive unemployment money, regardless of whether you are job searching, waiting for a callback, or sick. If you do not file, you do not get paid that week. There is no exception for waiting or searching.

What if I worked part-time and earned money, but I am not sure how much?

Report your best estimate based on your hours and pay rate. If you have a pay stub, use that number. If you do not, multiply your hourly rate by the hours you worked. When your employer sends their records to Georgia, the state will compare the two amounts. If there is a big difference, they will ask you to clarify. It is better to estimate than to guess or leave it blank.

Can someone else file my weekly claim for me?

No. You must file your own claim using your Social Security number and password. If someone else files for you, it is considered fraud and can result in criminal charges and a requirement to repay all benefits. If you cannot file yourself due to disability, contact the Georgia Department of Labor to discuss accommodations.