Kentucky's online filing system is called KEWIS, and you can start your claim from any computer or phone with internet access

Kentucky Unemployment Insurance System (KEWIS) is the state's portal for filing unemployment claims. You go to kewis.ky.gov, create an account, and complete your claim form without visiting an office. The system is open 24 hours a day, and you can file as soon as you become unemployed — you do not have to wait for a specific day or time.

Filing online is faster than calling or visiting in person. Your claim is processed the same day you submit it, and you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Kentucky then mails you a debit card (called the KeyBank Unemployment Debit Card) within 7 to 10 business days if your claim is approved. Payments are deposited onto that card each week you remain unemployed and file your weekly claim.

Key Takeaways

  • You file your initial claim on KEWIS at kewis.ky.gov, and you must do this within 30 days of your last day of work to avoid losing back pay.
  • You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your most recent employer including their address and phone number.
  • After your initial claim is approved, you file a weekly claim every Sunday through Friday to continue receiving payments.
  • Kentucky requires you to report any income you earned that week, including gig work or part-time jobs, because it reduces your weekly payment dollar-for-dollar.

What you need before you start filing

Gather these documents before you log into KEWIS. Having them ready means you will not lose your place in the form or have to start over.

You need your Social Security number, a valid Kentucky driver's license or ID number, and the name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer. If you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, have their information ready too — Kentucky asks about your last four quarters of work. You should also know the reason you left your job (laid off, quit, fired, hours reduced) because the system asks you to describe it. If you were fired, have details about what happened, because Kentucky will contact your employer to verify your account.

If you are self-employed or a gig worker (Uber, DoorDash, freelance work), you can still file, but you will need to report your net income from that work. Have your business records or tax documents available so you can answer questions about your earnings.

Step-by-step: filing your initial claim on KEWIS

Step 1: Create your account. Go to kewis.ky.gov and click "Create New Account." Enter your email address and create a password. You will receive a confirmation email — click the link in that email to verify your address. This takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Log in and start your claim. Return to kewis.ky.gov, log in with your email and password, and select "File a New Claim." The system will ask whether this is your first claim or a new claim after a previous one ended. Choose the correct option.

Step 3: Enter your personal information. Provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and driver's license or ID number. The system verifies this information against state records. If there is a mismatch, you will be asked to correct it before you can continue.

Step 4: Report your employment history. Enter the name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer. The system asks when you started and stopped working there. Then it asks why you left — select the reason that matches your situation (laid off, quit, fired, reduced hours, other). If you quit or were fired, you will be asked to describe what happened in a text box. Be factual and specific; Kentucky uses this to contact your employer and verify your account.

Step 5: Answer may be able to access questions. Kentucky asks whether you are able and available to work, whether you are looking for work, and whether you have any disqualifying income (such as a pension or workers' compensation). Answer honestly. If you answer "no" to being able or available to work, your claim will be denied.

Step 6: Review and submit. The system shows you a summary of everything you entered. Read it carefully — errors can delay your payment. If something is wrong, go back and fix it. Then click "Submit Claim." You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save this number.

The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your claim is processed the same day, and you will receive a notice by mail within 5 to 7 business days telling you whether you were approved or denied.

Filing your weekly claim after you are approved

Once your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive payment. In Kentucky, the weekly filing window opens on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. and closes on Friday at 11:59 p.m. You can file any day during that window — you do not have to file on a specific day.

Log into KEWIS, select "File Weekly Claim," and answer the questions: Did you work this week? Did you earn any income? Did you refuse any job offers? Did you attend any job interviews or training? Answer truthfully. If you earned income, report the exact amount, including tips, bonuses, or gig work. Kentucky reduces your weekly payment by the amount you earned, so underreporting will cause an overpayment that you will have to repay later.

After you submit your weekly claim, you will see a confirmation on screen. Payments are deposited onto your KeyBank debit card every Wednesday for the week you claimed. If you do not file your weekly claim by Friday at 11:59 p.m., you will not receive a payment that week, and you will have to file a late claim to try to recover it.

What happens if your claim is denied

If Kentucky denies your claim, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons include: you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you did not earn enough wages in the base period, or you did not answer may be able to access questions correctly.

You have the right to appeal a denial. The notice will include instructions and a important date — usually 30 days from the date on the notice. To appeal, log into KEWIS, select "Appeal a Decision," and explain why you believe the decision was wrong. You can also request a hearing, where you can speak to an appeals examiner by phone. If you appeal, you can continue filing weekly claims while the appeal is pending, and if you win, you will receive back pay for all the weeks you claimed.

Troubleshooting common KEWIS problems

I forgot my password. On the KEWIS login page, click "Forgot Password." Enter your email address, and Kentucky will send you a link to reset it. The link expires after 24 hours, so act quickly.

The system says my Social Security number does not match my name. This usually means a typo. Log out, wait 10 minutes, and try again. If it happens again, call the Kentucky Department for Workforce Investment at 502-564-2064 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Do not create a second account — this can delay your claim.

I filed my claim but have not received my debit card. KeyBank mails the card within 7 to 10 business days of approval. If more than 10 days have passed, call KeyBank at 1-844-539-2273 to check the status. Have your Social Security number and claim number ready.

I filed my weekly claim but did not receive payment. Check your weekly claim history in KEWIS to confirm it was submitted. If it shows as submitted, the payment should appear on your debit card within one business day. If it shows as "pending," it is still being processed. If it shows as "not filed," you missed the Friday important date and will need to file a late claim through KEWIS.

When to contact Kentucky Unemployment directly

Kentucky Unemployment has a phone line and a chat system if you run into problems KEWIS cannot solve. Call the Department for Workforce Investment at 502-564-2064 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Wait times are often long on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can also use the chat feature on the KEWIS homepage, though response times vary.

Have your claim number, Social Security number, and a description of your problem ready before you call. If you are calling about a denied claim or an appeal, have the notice letter in front of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file on my phone?

Yes. KEWIS works on any smartphone or tablet with a web browser. The form is the same whether you use a computer or phone, though a larger screen makes it easier to read. You can start your claim on your phone and finish it on a computer, or vice versa.

What if I worked for multiple employers?

Enter your most recent employer first. KEWIS then asks about your employment history for the past 18 months. Add each employer you worked for during that time, including the dates you worked there. Kentucky uses all of this to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

Do I have to report gig work income?

Yes. If you earned money from Uber, DoorDash, freelance work, or any other self-employment during the week you are claiming, report the net amount (income minus expenses). Failing to report it is considered fraud and can result in overpayment and penalties.

What if I was fired?

You can still file. KEWIS asks why you left your job, and you must explain what happened. Kentucky will contact your employer to verify your account. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct (breaking rules, theft, violence, repeated tardiness), your claim may be denied. You can appeal and explain your side of the story at a hearing.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Your claim is processed the same day you file. If approved, you receive a notice by mail within 5 to 7 business days. Your KeyBank debit card arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Your first payment is deposited the Wednesday after your first weekly claim is approved, so the total time from filing to first payment is usually 2 to 3 weeks.