What you need to do to file in Minnesota

Minnesota unemployment claims are filed through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and you file online at uimn.org. You do not mail anything or call to start a claim — the entire process happens on the website. The system will ask you questions about your job, why you left or were let go, and your work history, then give you a confirmation number the same day.

You can file as soon as you separate from your job, but your claim covers only weeks after you file. If you were laid off on a Monday and file the following Friday, your claim starts that Friday — it does not reach back to the Monday. This matters because you cannot receive payment for weeks that have already passed.

The state processes most claims within one to two weeks, though some take longer if DEED needs to contact your employer for details. Once approved, you receive a debit card in the mail and payments deposit automatically each week you remain unemployed and meet the weekly requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim at uimn.org as soon as you separate from your job, because your claim covers only weeks after you file, not weeks before.
  • You must report your work history, reason for separation, and current job search activity when you file and every week after.
  • Minnesota requires you to earn less than your weekly benefit amount and actively search for work each week to keep receiving payments.
  • The state sends a debit card by mail once your claim is approved, and you can check your balance and payment history online anytime.
  • If DEED contacts your employer and the employer disputes your claim, you have the right to a hearing where you can present your side.

What disqualifies you or reduces your payment

Minnesota will deny your claim or reduce your weekly payment if you left your job without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or quit to move with a spouse or family member. "Good cause" means a reason a reasonable person would consider serious — not liking your boss or wanting higher pay does not count. If you were laid off or your hours were cut, you generally have good cause regardless of the reason the employer gives.

If you earn money during a week you claim benefits, Minnesota subtracts that income from your weekly benefit amount. If you earn more than your weekly benefit, you receive nothing that week. This includes gig work, freelance income, and side jobs — you must report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

You also lose benefits for any week you refuse a suitable job offer without good cause, or any week you do not actively search for work. "Actively search" means explore for jobs, attending interviews, or contacting employers — straightforward looking at job postings does not count. You must be able to show what you did each week.

Your weekly reporting requirements

After your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive payment. Minnesota sends you a link by email or text, usually on Sunday, and you have until the following Saturday to complete it. In the weekly claim, you report any income you earned, any job offers you received, and whether you actively searched for work that week.

You must answer honestly about your job search. The state does not require a specific number of applications, but you need to be able to describe what you did — which employers you contacted, which jobs you applied for, or which interviews you attended. If you cannot describe your search activity, DEED may deny that week's payment and ask you to reapply.

If you miss the important date to file your weekly claim, you lose payment for that week. You can file late if you contact DEED within two weeks and have a good reason for missing the important date, but it is safer to file on time. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar so you do not forget.

How much you receive and how long it lasts

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during a specific 12-month period before you filed your claim. Minnesota calculates this by taking your highest quarter of earnings and dividing by 26. The minimum weekly benefit is $38 and the maximum is $740, though the maximum changes each year based on state wage averages.

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 unemployed, you do not automatically receive more — you must wait until the next benefit year begins on July 1. During recessions or periods of high unemployment, the federal government sometimes extends the number of weeks available, but this is not automatic and depends on national conditions.

Your benefit year is separate from the calendar year. If you file a claim in October, your benefit year runs from October through the following September. If you return to work and then lose that job within the same benefit year, you may be able to file a new claim using the same benefit year, but you cannot receive more than 26 weeks total in that year.

What happens if your employer contests your claim

When you file, DEED sends a notice to your former employer asking whether they dispute your claim. If the employer says you were fired for misconduct or left without good cause, DEED will contact you and ask for your version of events. You do not have to do anything at this point — DEED gathers information from both sides.

If DEED denies your claim based on the employer's response, you receive a written decision in the mail explaining why. You then have 10 days to request a hearing. The hearing is conducted by a state administrative law judge, and you can attend by phone. You can bring witnesses, documents, or evidence to support your case — for example, emails showing you asked for a schedule change before you quit, or a doctor's note if you left due to illness.

At the hearing, both you and the employer can present your side. The judge decides whether you had good cause to leave or whether the employer had cause to fire you. If you win, your benefits are restored and you receive back pay for the weeks you were denied. If you lose, you can appeal to the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, though you must do so within 10 days of the judge's decision.

Returning to work and reporting income

If you return to work while receiving unemployment benefits, you must report your new job and your earnings on your next weekly claim. You do not need to stop filing weekly claims — you straightforward report what you earned that week. If your earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount, you receive a partial payment. If your earnings equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week.

Some employers offer temporary or part-time work that may last only a few weeks. If you return to temporary work and then become unemployed again, you can continue your claim using the same benefit year as long as you have weeks remaining. You do not have to reapply or restart the process.

If you find full-time permanent work, you can stop filing weekly claims. Your benefit year remains open for 12 months from when you first filed, so if you lose that job within the benefit year, you can file a new claim without restarting from scratch. However, if you work long enough to earn new wages, you may be able to file a new claim with a higher benefit amount based on your recent earnings.

How to check your claim status and payment history

Log into your account at uimn.org anytime to see your claim status, weekly payment history, and remaining balance. The site shows which weeks have been paid, which are pending, and which were denied. You can also see the reason for any denial and the date by which you can request a hearing if you disagree.

Your debit card arrives by mail within two weeks of approval. Once you receive it, you can check your balance online, withdraw cash from ATMs, or use the card like a regular debit card at stores. The card does not expire as long as you have an active claim, but if your claim ends, the card stops working.

If you have questions about your claim, you can call DEED's customer service line, though wait times are often long during high-unemployment periods. The website also has a chat feature and email support. Having your confirmation number and Social Security number ready speeds up the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I quit my job?

You can file, but Minnesota will likely deny your claim unless you quit for good cause. Good cause means a serious reason — unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a medical issue that made work impossible. Wanting a different job or being unhappy with your boss does not count. If denied, you can request a hearing to explain your reason.

What if I was fired?

If you were fired, you can file a claim. Minnesota will deny it only if the employer proves you were fired for misconduct — meaning you deliberately broke a rule or acted recklessly. Being fired for poor performance, making a mistake, or not being a good fit is not misconduct. If the employer contests your claim, request a hearing and bring evidence of what happened.

Do I have to search for jobs every week?

Yes. You must actively search for work each week to receive benefits. This means explore for jobs, contacting employers, or attending interviews — not just browsing job sites. You should keep notes of what you did each week so you can report it accurately on your weekly claim.

What if I work part-time while collecting unemployment?

Report your earnings on your weekly claim. Minnesota subtracts what you earned from your weekly benefit amount. If you earned $200 and your weekly benefit is $300, you receive $100 that week. If you earned $300 or more, you receive nothing, but you still file the weekly claim to keep your claim active.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Most claims are approved within one to two weeks, and your debit card arrives by mail within another week or two. Your first payment deposits once you file your first weekly claim after approval. In total, expect three to four weeks from the day you file until you receive your first payment, though some claims take longer if the employer disputes them.