What you need to do to file in Illinois

To file for unemployment benefits in Illinois, you go to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) website and create an account, then answer questions about your job loss and work history. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you have the right information in front of you. You can file online, by phone, or in person at a local IDES office, but online is fastest — you get a confirmation number when ready and can check your claim status the same day.

Illinois processes most claims within two to three weeks, though some take longer if IDES needs to contact your former employer to verify the reason you left. Your first payment, if you are found to be due benefits, usually arrives within one to two weeks after your claim is approved. The state pays by debit card (called the Benefit Payment Card) or direct deposit to your bank account.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the IDES website at www2.illinois.gov/ides or call 1-800-244-5631 to start your claim the same day you lose your job.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and information about your last job (employer name, address, dates worked, and reason you left) ready before you start.
  • Illinois pays a weekly benefit amount based on your earnings in the past 12 months, with a minimum of $51 and a maximum that changes each year.
  • You must report any income you earn while receiving benefits, including gig work and self-employment, or you may have to repay what you received.
  • If IDES denies your claim, you have 30 days to file an appeal and request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Documents and information to gather before you file

Before you start your claim, collect your Social Security number, your Illinois driver's license or state ID number, and the dates you worked at your last job. You also need your former employer's full name, address, and phone number. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, have a clear explanation ready — the reason you left your job is one of the most important questions on the form.

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 12 months, write down the dates and employer details for each one. IDES will contact your employers to verify your work history and the reason your employment ended, so accuracy matters. If you were self-employed or did gig work (like driving for a rideshare company or freelancing), note the dates and income amounts — you may still be due benefits depending on how the work ended.

Have your bank account number and routing number ready if you want direct deposit, or be prepared to receive a debit card in the mail. The debit card arrives within 7 to 10 business days after your claim is approved.

How to file your claim online

Go to www2.illinois.gov/ides and click "File a Claim" or "Claimant Services." You will be asked to create a login using your email address and a password. Once you are logged in, select "File a New Claim" and answer the questions about your job loss, work history, and personal information. The form asks when you last worked, why your job ended, whether you quit or were laid off, and whether you have been paid any severance or vacation pay.

Answer each question honestly and completely. If you were fired, explain what happened — IDES distinguishes between being fired for misconduct (which may disqualify you) and being fired without cause (which usually does not). If you quit, explain why; quitting without good cause related to work disqualifies you, but quitting because of unsafe conditions, wage theft, or harassment may not. Do not leave fields blank or guess.

At the end, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. You can log back in to your account anytime to check the status of your claim, upload documents if IDES asks, or view your payment history once benefits start.

Filing by phone or in person

If you cannot file online, call the IDES claims line at 1-800-244-5631. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays, so call on a Wednesday or Thursday if you can. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and file your claim over the phone. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. Filing by phone takes longer than online — expect 30 to 45 minutes — and you cannot see your claim status as quickly.

You can also file in person at a local IDES office. Find the office nearest you on the IDES website. Bring your ID, Social Security card, and information about your last job. In-person filing is useful if you have questions or need help understanding the form, but offices are often busy and wait times can be two hours or more. Call ahead to ask about current wait times.

What happens after you file

After you file, IDES sends a notice to your former employer asking them to confirm your employment dates and the reason you left. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct or that you quit without cause, IDES may deny your claim. You will receive a written decision in the mail within two to three weeks.

If your claim is approved, you will receive a notice showing your weekly benefit amount and the start date of your benefits. You must file a weekly claim (called "claiming your benefits") every Sunday through Friday to continue receiving payments. You can claim online through your IDES account, by phone, or through the automated phone system. If you do not claim each week, you do not get paid that week.

When you claim each week, you must report any income you earned, including wages from a new job, self-employment income, gig work, or any other money you were paid. If you earned money but did not report it, IDES will discover it when your employer files wage records, and you will have to repay the benefits you received for that week.

Weekly benefit amount and how long you can receive benefits

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your earnings during the highest-earning quarter in the past 12 months. Illinois pays roughly 47 percent of your average weekly wage, with a state minimum of $51 per week and a maximum that changes each year (in 2024, the maximum is $662 per week, but this varies). If you earned very little, you may receive the minimum. If you earned a high salary, you will receive the maximum, not your full 47 percent.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still out of work, you may be due extended benefits if the state unemployment rate is high enough. Extended benefits add up to 13 additional weeks, but they are not automatic — you must be told by IDES that you may have access to.

Your benefit year is separate from the calendar year. If you file in September, your benefit year runs from July 1 of that year through June 30 of the next year, and you can receive benefits during that entire 12-month period (up to 26 weeks of payments).

Common reasons claims are denied and how to appeal

IDES denies claims most often because the employer says you were fired for misconduct or that you quit without good cause. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or refused to follow instructions — being slow at your job or making honest mistakes usually does not count. Quitting without good cause means you left for a personal reason unrelated to work; quitting because of low pay, a schedule change, or a rude manager is usually not good cause, but quitting because of unsafe conditions, wage theft, or harassment may be.

Other common denial reasons include not meeting the earnings requirement (you must have earned at least $1,600 in the past 12 months), being disqualified because you are receiving workers' compensation or another benefit, or having a criminal record that affects your claim. If your claim is denied, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason.

You have 30 days from the date on the denial notice to file an appeal. You can appeal online through your IDES account, by mail, or by phone. When you appeal, you can submit documents (like emails, texts, or a written statement from a witness) that support your case. IDES will schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge, usually by phone. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer or representative. The judge will listen to both sides and make a decision, which you can appeal further if you disagree.

Reporting changes and staying compliant

While you are receiving benefits, you must report any changes to IDES within 10 days. Changes include starting a new job, earning income from self-employment or gig work, moving to a new address, or a change in your phone number or email. You report changes through your online account or by calling IDES. If you do not report changes, you may lose benefits or have to repay money.

You must also continue to look for work while receiving benefits. IDES does not require you to prove you are looking for a job each week, but if you are called for an audit or investigation, you should be able to show that you made a reasonable effort to find work. Keep a log of jobs you applied for, companies you contacted, and interviews you attended.

If you find a new job and return to work, tell IDES right away. Your benefits will stop, but you may be due a partial payment for the week you returned if you worked only part of the week. If you are laid off again later, you can file a new claim using the same account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I was fired?

Yes, but it depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — deliberately breaking a rule, refusing to follow instructions, or being dishonest — you are usually disqualified. If you were fired for poor performance, being slow, or making honest mistakes, you may still be due benefits. IDES will ask your employer why you were fired and make a decision based on their answer.

What if I quit my job?

Quitting without good cause disqualifies you, but good cause includes unsafe working conditions, wage theft, harassment, or a significant change to your job that you did not agree to. If you quit for a personal reason unrelated to work, you are not due benefits. Be honest about why you quit on your claim form — IDES will contact your employer to verify your story.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Most claims are approved within two to three weeks. Once approved, your first payment arrives within one to two weeks, either by direct deposit or on your debit card. If your claim is delayed because IDES is waiting for your employer to respond, it may take longer. You can check your claim status anytime in your online account.

Do I have to report income from a part-time job or gig work?

Yes. You must report all income, including wages from a part-time job, self-employment, freelance work, or gig work like driving for a rideshare company. IDES will reduce your weekly benefit by the amount you earned. If you do not report income and IDES finds out later, you will have to repay the benefits you received for that week.

What if I disagree with IDES's decision?

You have 30 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal. You can appeal online, by mail, or by phone. A hearing will be scheduled before an administrative law judge, usually by phone. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer. The judge will listen to both sides and make a decision. If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can appeal to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Board of Review.