What You Need to Do to File in Minnesota

You file for Minnesota unemployment through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and you can do it online, by phone, or by mail. Most people file online at uimn.org, which is faster and lets you track your claim. 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, and the dates you worked there. Have your final paycheck stub handy if you have one.

The state processes claims within two to three weeks if everything is complete and correct. During that time, you will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether your claim was accepted. If it was, your first payment arrives about one week after approval. If your employer contests the claim or information is missing, the process takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at uimn.org, by phone at 1-888-209-8124, or by mail to the address on the DEED website — online is fastest.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, employer's name and address, and employment dates ready before you start.
  • Minnesota pays a weekly benefit amount based on your earnings in the past year, and the amount varies by individual.
  • You must report your work search activities each week, even if you are not working, or your payments will stop.
  • If your employer contests your claim, DEED will contact you to explain what happened and why you left or were let go.

Filing Online at uimn.org

Go to uimn.org and click "File a New Claim" on the homepage. You will create a login account using your email address and a password. The system will ask you to verify your identity — you can do this by uploading a photo of your ID or by answering security questions about your credit history. This step usually takes a few minutes.

Once you are logged in, the form walks you through your work history, the reason you are no longer working, and your contact information. Be honest about why you left your job or were fired — the state uses this to decide whether you are may have access to to benefits. If you were laid off or your hours were cut, that usually qualifies. If you quit without good reason or were fired for misconduct, you may not receive benefits. The form saves as you go, so you can close it and come back later if you need to find information.

After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The state will mail you a notice within two weeks confirming receipt of your claim.

Filing by Phone or Mail

If you cannot file online, call 1-888-209-8124 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. Have your Social Security number, ID number, and employment information ready. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and file the claim for you. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Ask for a confirmation number before you hang up.

You can also mail a paper form to the address listed on the DEED website, but this is the slowest route — mail takes several days to arrive, and processing takes longer after that. Use this option only if you cannot access the internet or phone.

What Information to Gather Before You File

Collect these items before you start your claim, whether you file online or by phone:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your Minnesota driver's license or ID number
  • Your most recent pay stub or a record of your final paycheck amount
  • Your employer's full legal name, street address, city, state, and zip code
  • The dates you started and stopped working (month and year)
  • The reason you are no longer working — for example, "laid off," "hours cut," "quit," or "fired"
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit (optional but faster)

If you worked for more than one employer in the past year, have that information ready too. The state looks at your earnings across all jobs to calculate your weekly benefit amount.

Your Weekly Reporting Requirement

After your claim is approved, you must report your work search activities every week to keep receiving payments. You do this through your uimn.org account by answering questions about whether you worked, earned money, or looked for work that week. This takes about five minutes and is due by the end of the week you are reporting on.

If you do not report, your payments stop when ready. You can restart them by reporting late, but you will not receive the money for the weeks you missed. Many people lose benefits this way by accident, so set a phone reminder for the same day each week.

You must also report if you worked any hours or earned any money during the week, even if it was just a few hours. The state reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earned, but you still receive something. Do not skip reporting because you worked a little — that is when people get caught and have to repay benefits.

What Happens After You File

Within two weeks, you will receive a notice in the mail from DEED. This notice tells you whether your claim was accepted or denied. If it was accepted, it also shows your weekly benefit amount and the date your first payment arrives. Read this notice carefully and keep it for your records.

If your employer contests the claim — which they often do — DEED will send you a second notice asking you to explain what happened. You will have a important date to respond, usually 10 days. If you miss this important date, you may lose your benefits. Respond in writing or by phone, and be clear about the facts: when you started, when you stopped, and why. If there is a disagreement, DEED may hold a hearing where you and your employer can each explain your side.

Payments arrive by debit card or direct deposit, depending on what you chose when you filed. The debit card is mailed to you after approval. Direct deposit takes one to two business days after approval.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Deny Claims

Incomplete employer information: If you do not have your employer's full legal name and address, the claim gets delayed while DEED tracks it down. Call your employer's HR department or look at an old pay stub if you are not sure.

Mismatched dates: If the dates you give do not match your employer's records, DEED will contact you to clarify. This can take weeks. Be as precise as you can — if you are not sure of the exact date, give your best estimate and note that it is approximate.

Saying you quit without good reason: If you tell DEED you quit and cannot explain why it was necessary, you will be denied. Only say you quit if you had a legitimate reason — unsafe conditions, harassment, a move, a medical issue. If you were laid off or fired, say that instead.

Missing your weekly report important date: This is the most common reason people lose benefits after they are approved. Set a phone reminder or calendar alert for the same day each week.

Not responding to DEED mail: If DEED sends you a notice asking for more information and you do not respond by the important date, your claim can be denied. Open all mail from DEED when ready and follow the instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I receive each week?

Minnesota calculates your weekly benefit based on your earnings in the past year. The amount varies by person and ranges from a minimum to a maximum set by the state each year. DEED will tell you the exact amount in the approval notice. You can also estimate it by dividing your total earnings from the past year by 52 and taking a percentage of that number — DEED's website has a calculator.

Can I file if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — theft, violence, repeated rule-breaking — you will be denied. If you were fired for poor performance, not enough experience, or a mistake, you may still receive benefits. DEED will ask your employer why they fired you, so be honest about what happened. If there is a disagreement, you can request a hearing.

What if I worked part-time or had multiple jobs?

Report all jobs you had in the past year when you file. DEED adds up your earnings across all of them to calculate your benefit. If you are still working part-time while collecting benefits, report your hours and earnings each week — your benefit will be reduced but you will still receive something.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved with no problems, your first payment arrives about one week after approval. Approval itself takes two to three weeks from the date you file. If your employer contests the claim or information is missing, add another two to four weeks. In total, expect four to six weeks from filing to first payment in a straightforward case.

What if I move or change my phone number?

Log into your uimn.org account and update your contact information when ready. DEED mails important notices to your address on file, and if you miss a notice, you can lose your benefits. You can also call 1-888-209-8124 to update your information by phone.