What you need to do to file in Minnesota
To file for unemployment in Minnesota, you go to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) website and create an account in their Unemployment Insurance System. You file your claim online — there is no phone line or paper form option. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes if you have your documents 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 and the dates you worked there.
Minnesota processes claims within 2 to 3 weeks under normal conditions, though delays happen when the system is overloaded. Once DEED receives your claim, they contact your employer to verify the reason you left or were let go. Your employer's response affects whether you are found ineligible — this is the most common reason claims are denied. You can challenge a denial, but you have to act within 30 days of the notice.
Weekly payments in Minnesota range from $38 to $740 per week, depending on your earnings history. The amount is based on the highest quarter of pay in the 12 months before you filed. You must file a weekly claim every Sunday through Friday to keep receiving payments — missing a week stops your benefits that week, even if you are still out of work.
Key Takeaways
- File your claim at the DEED website using your Social Security number and your last employer's information; there is no other way to file in Minnesota.
- You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment, and missing even one week stops that week's benefit.
- Your employer will be asked why you left or were fired, and their answer determines whether you are found ineligible.
- If DEED denies your claim, you have 30 days from the notice to request a hearing or your denial becomes final.
- Weekly payments range from $38 to $740 depending on your earnings in the highest quarter of the past 12 months.
What documents and information to gather before you start
Have your Social Security number and a valid ID number (driver's license, state ID, or passport) in front of you. You will also need the name and address of your last employer, the dates you worked there (month and year is enough), and your job title. If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have that information ready too — DEED asks about all recent jobs.
Write down the reason you are no longer working: were you laid off, fired, or did you quit? If you quit, be ready to explain why. If you were fired, know what your employer said the reason was. This matters because Minnesota has strict rules about what counts as your fault versus the employer's fault. Quitting without good cause related to the job disqualifies you. Being fired for misconduct also disqualifies you, but being laid off or fired without cause does not.
If you have been self-employed, a contractor, or worked gig jobs in the past 18 months, gather that information too. DEED needs to know about all income sources. Have your bank account number and routing number ready if you want direct deposit — this is the fastest way to receive payments.
Step-by-step: Filing your claim on the DEED website
- Go to uimn.org and click "File a New Claim" or "Sign In" if you already have an account.
- Create a new account using your email address and a password, or sign in if you have filed before.
- Enter your Social Security number and date of birth.
- Provide your name, address, phone number, and email address as they appear on your ID.
- Enter your driver's license or state ID number and the state that issued it.
- Answer whether you are a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. (you must be to receive benefits).
- List your last employer: name, address, phone number, dates worked (start and end month/year), and job title.
- Describe why you are no longer working — select from the dropdown menu (laid off, quit, fired, etc.) and write a brief explanation in your own words.
- Answer questions about whether you were fired for misconduct, whether you quit without good cause, and whether you refused suitable work.
- List any other employers you worked for in the past 18 months with the same information.
- Provide your bank account number and routing number for direct deposit, or choose to receive a debit card in the mail.
- Review your answers and submit your claim.
After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. DEED will send you an email confirming receipt. Do not assume your claim is approved — confirmation only means DEED received it. You will get a separate notice in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks telling you whether you are found ineligible or what your weekly payment amount is.
Keep your confirmation number in a safe place. If you need to contact DEED about your claim, you will need this number. Save the email confirmation as well. If DEED loses your claim or there is a dispute about when you filed, your confirmation number proves the date.
Filing your weekly claim and what happens each week
After your initial claim is processed, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive a payment. You do this in the same DEED system, usually on Sunday through Friday of each week. The important date is Friday at midnight, but filing early is safer in case you have technical problems.
Each week, DEED asks: Did you work? How many hours? How much did you earn? Are you still looking for work? Are you able and available to work? Answer honestly. If you worked part-time, report your earnings — Minnesota allows you to earn some money and still receive a partial benefit. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week, but you do not lose future weeks.
If you miss filing your weekly claim, you do not receive a payment for that week. There is no way to go back and file a late claim. If you know you will be unavailable, file early if possible, but missing the important date means losing that week's payment. Set a phone reminder for Thursday or Friday each week so you do not forget.
What to do if DEED denies your claim
If you receive a notice saying you are ineligible, read it carefully. DEED will state the reason: you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you refused suitable work, or another reason. The notice also tells you that you have 30 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing if you disagree.
To request a hearing, go back to uimn.org, sign into your account, and look for the option to appeal or request a hearing. You will need to explain why you believe the decision is wrong. For example, if DEED says you quit without good cause, you can explain that you quit because of unsafe working conditions or harassment — those are considered good cause in Minnesota. If you were fired, you can explain that you did not commit misconduct or that the employer's claim is false.
A hearing officer will review your case and your employer's response. You can speak by phone or video. The hearing usually happens within 4 to 6 weeks. If the hearing officer agrees with you, your benefits start. If they agree with DEED, you can appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, but you must do so within 30 days of the hearing decision.
Reporting changes and keeping your account current
If your address, phone number, or email changes, update it in your DEED account right away. If you find a job or return to work, report it when ready in your weekly claim. If your hours or pay change, report that too. DEED cross-checks your reports against employer records and tax records, so misreporting can result in overpayment notices and a requirement to repay benefits.
If you move out of Minnesota or become unable to work, contact DEED to stop your claim. If you go back to school full-time, you may no longer be considered available for work, which can disqualify you. If you receive a notice about an overpayment or a wage match (meaning DEED found that you earned money you did not report), respond within the important date given in the notice — ignoring it does not make it go away.
How long benefits last and what happens when they run out
In Minnesota, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks if you have enough earnings history. The amount of time you receive depends on how much you earned in the past 12 months. If you earned very little, you may only be found ineligible for benefits altogether. If you earned enough, you receive the full 26 weeks.
When your 26 weeks end, your benefits stop. There is no automatic extension. However, during times of high unemployment, the federal government sometimes funds extended benefits that add 13 or more weeks. DEED will notify you if extended benefits become available. You do not have to do anything — if you are still unemployed when your regular benefits run out and extended benefits are available, you are automatically moved to the extended program.
If you find work before your benefits run out, your claim ends. You can file a new claim later if you lose that job, but you will need to meet the earnings requirements again. Keep track of when your 26 weeks will end so you are not surprised when payments stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for unemployment if I quit my job?
You can file, but you will likely be found ineligible unless you quit for good cause. Good cause in Minnesota means a reason directly related to the job — unsafe conditions, harassment, a significant cut in pay, or a substantial change in duties. Quitting because you found another job, wanted a change, or had personal reasons is not good cause. You can appeal the denial and explain your reason at a hearing.
What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct?
DEED will deny your claim if your employer reports misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or did something you knew was wrong. If you were fired for poor performance, being a bad fit, or a single mistake, that is usually not misconduct. Request a hearing and explain what actually happened. Bring any evidence — emails, schedules, witness names — that supports your version.
How do I know if my claim was approved?
DEED sends a notice in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks. You can also check your account at uimn.org — if you see a weekly claim form to fill out, your claim was approved. If you see a notice of ineligibility, your claim was denied. Do not wait for the mail; check your account online.
What if I work part-time while receiving unemployment?
Report your hours and earnings in your weekly claim. Minnesota allows you to earn up to a certain amount and still receive a partial benefit. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week, but you keep your claim open for future weeks when you earn less.
Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?
Yes. A layoff is not your fault, so you are found ineligible only if there is another reason — for example, if you were laid off because you refused to follow safety rules. In most layoff cases, you receive benefits. File your claim as soon as you are laid off; do not wait.