How to file for unemployment in Tennessee

Tennessee's unemployment system is run by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). You file through their online portal at www.tn.gov/workforce, by phone at 1-833-674-8687, or in person at a local American Job Center. Most people file online because it is faster and you get a confirmation number when ready.

You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last job — including your employer's name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. Have your final pay stub handy if you have one. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes online.

Tennessee processes claims within 10 to 14 business days. You will receive a information letter in the mail that says whether you were found ineligible, and if you were found ineligible, it will explain why. If you disagree with that decision, you have 30 days to file an appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at www.tn.gov/workforce, by phone at 1-833-674-8687, or at your local American Job Center — online is fastest.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, and your last employer's name, address, phone number, and employment dates ready before you start.
  • Tennessee takes 10 to 14 business days to process your claim and mail you a information letter.
  • If you are found ineligible, you have 30 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal with the Department of Labor.
  • You must report your weekly earnings and job search activities each week you receive benefits, or your payments will stop.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you open your claim. Having everything ready means you will not lose your place or have to start over if you get interrupted.

Personal information: Your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current mailing address. If you have moved in the last year, have your previous address ready too.

ID information: Your Tennessee driver's license number or state ID number. If you do not have one, you can use your passport number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Employment information: For each job you held in the last 18 months, write down the employer's legal name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and the dates you started and stopped working there. If you were laid off, furloughed, or fired, note which one. If you quit, write down why. Tennessee asks about the reason because it affects whether you are found ineligible.

Pay information: Your gross weekly or monthly pay (before taxes). If your pay varied, give your average. If you have a final pay stub, the amount is right there.

Filing online step by step

The online system is called the Tennessee Unemployment Insurance system. You start at www.tn.gov/workforce and look for the link that says "File a Claim" or "Unemployment Insurance." You will create a login account with an email address and password.

Step 1: Enter your personal information — name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. The system will ask if you have filed in Tennessee before. Answer honestly; if you have, it may pull up your old account.

Step 2: Answer the may be able to access questions. Tennessee will ask why you are no longer working. The system lists options: laid off, furloughed, quit, fired for misconduct, or other. Choose the one that matches your situation. If you quit, you will be asked why. If you were fired, you will be asked whether it was for misconduct. These answers matter — Tennessee can find you ineligible if you quit without good cause or were fired for willful misconduct.

Step 3: Enter your employment history. Start with your most recent job. Fill in the employer's name, address, phone number, and the exact dates you worked there. The system will ask whether you are still employed there. Say no. Then it asks the reason you are no longer employed — choose from the list. Repeat this for each job you held in the last 18 months.

Step 4: Enter your pay information. The system asks for your gross weekly wage or your gross monthly wage — choose whichever you know. If your pay changed during your employment, give your average. If you were paid hourly, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you typically worked per week.

Step 5: Review your answers. The system will show you everything you entered. Read it carefully. If anything is wrong, go back and fix it. Mistakes here can delay your claim or cause you to be found ineligible.

Step 6: Submit. The system will give you a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. You will need it if you have to call about your claim.

What happens after you file

Tennessee's Department of Labor will review your claim. This usually takes 10 to 14 business days, but it can take longer if they need to contact your employer or if there is a holiday. You will receive a information letter in the mail at the address you provided.

The letter will say one of three things: you were found ineligible, you were found ineligible but may be ineligible for a specific reason (like quitting without good cause), or you were found ineligible and your employer disagreed with something you said. If you were found ineligible, the letter explains why. Read it carefully.

If you were found ineligible, you have 30 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. You can appeal online, by mail, or by phone. The appeal goes to the Department of Labor's Appeals Division, not back to the original office. You will get a hearing date, and you can present evidence or witnesses to support your case.

If you were found ineligible and you do not appeal within 30 days, that decision is final and you cannot receive benefits for that period.

Weekly reporting and payment schedule

Once you are found ineligible and your benefits begin, Tennessee requires you to file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. This is separate from your initial claim. You do this through the same online system or by phone.

Each week, you will report whether you worked, how much you earned, and whether you looked for work. Tennessee requires you to search for work each week — you do not have to find a job, but you have to show that you tried. Keep a list of the employers you contacted, the date you contacted them, and how you contacted them (phone, email, in person, online process).

If you do not file your weekly claim, your payment will not be sent. If you miss two weeks in a row without reporting, your benefits may stop entirely and you will have to reopen your claim.

Payments are sent by direct deposit or debit card, depending on which method you chose when you filed. Most people receive their payment within three to five business days of filing their weekly claim.

Common reasons Tennessee finds people ineligible

You quit your job without good cause. Tennessee law says you can only receive benefits if you were laid off, furloughed, or fired. If you quit, you must have had "good cause" — meaning a reason that a reasonable person would think was serious enough to quit. Good cause includes unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or harassment. It does not include a bad manager, boring work, or wanting a different job. If you quit for any other reason, you will be found ineligible.

You were fired for willful misconduct. Willful misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or did something you knew was wrong. Being late once is not willful misconduct. Repeatedly being late after being warned is. Stealing, being under the influence at work, or violence are willful misconduct. If you were fired for willful misconduct, you will be found ineligible.

You did not earn enough in your base period. Tennessee requires you to have earned at least a certain amount of money in the 12 months before you filed. The exact amount changes each year. If you worked part-time or only recently started working, you might not meet this requirement. The Department of Labor will tell you in your information letter if this is why you were found ineligible.

You did not report your earnings correctly. If you worked part-time or had another job while filing, you must report those earnings each week. If you do not report them, or if you report them incorrectly, Tennessee may find you ineligible or ask you to repay benefits.

If you disagree with the decision

You have 30 days from the date on your information letter to file an appeal. Do not wait — if you miss the 30-day important date, you lose your right to appeal that decision.

To appeal, go to www.tn.gov/workforce and look for the appeals section, or call 1-833-674-8687 and ask to file an appeal. You will need your claim number, which is on your information letter. When you appeal, write down exactly why you disagree. If the letter says you quit without good cause, explain what your good cause was. If it says you were fired for misconduct, explain what actually happened.

You will receive a hearing date by mail. The hearing is usually by phone, though you can ask for an in-person hearing. You can bring evidence — emails, texts, pay stubs, a witness who was there — anything that supports your side of the story. The hearing officer will listen to you and your employer (if they show up), and then they will make a decision. That decision is mailed to you within a few weeks.

If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you can appeal again to the Board of Review. This is a higher level of appeal, and the process takes longer. Ask the Department of Labor for instructions when you receive the hearing officer's decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file by phone instead of online?

Yes. Call 1-833-674-8687 and a representative will walk you through the questions. It takes about the same amount of time as filing online. You will still get a confirmation number, and your claim will be processed the same way.

What if my employer says I was fired for a reason I disagree with?

Your employer will receive a notice that you filed for benefits and will be asked to respond. If they say you were fired for misconduct and you say you were not, you will get a hearing. Bring any evidence you have — emails, texts, performance reviews, witness statements. The hearing officer will decide who is more believable.

How much will I receive each week?

Tennessee calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings in your base period — the 12 months before you filed. The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year. The Department of Labor will tell you the exact amount in your information letter. Your weekly payment is usually between 50 and 60 percent of your average weekly wage, but not more than the state maximum.

What if I find a part-time job while I am receiving benefits?

You can work part-time and still receive benefits, but you must report your earnings each week. Tennessee allows you to earn a certain amount before your benefits are reduced. If you earn more than that amount, your weekly benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar. Ask the Department of Labor what the earnings limit is when you file your first weekly claim.

How long do benefits last?

Tennessee provides up to 12 weeks of benefits in a 12-month period. If you exhaust your benefits, you may be able to file for extended benefits if the state's unemployment rate is high enough. The Department of Labor will tell you if extended benefits are available when your regular benefits are about to run out.