What Minnesota Unemployment Compensation Covers
Minnesota unemployment compensation is a weekly payment from the state that replaces part of your income when you lose a job through no fault of your own. The program is run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). You do not pay into it directly — your employer does, through a payroll tax.
The state pays you a percentage of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $863, but your actual payment depends on how much you earned in the past year. Most people receive between 50 and 60 percent of their previous weekly wage.
You can receive payments for up to 26 weeks in a standard benefit year, though this can extend during periods of high unemployment. The money is deposited into a debit card account or your bank account, usually within 7 to 10 days of your claim being approved.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota pays a percentage of your previous wage, up to a state maximum, for up to 26 weeks if you lost your job through no fault of your own.
- You must file your claim through DEED's online portal or by phone within two weeks of your last day of work to avoid losing back pay.
- You are required to report any income you earn while collecting, including gig work and part-time jobs, or you may owe money back.
- You must be ready and willing to work, and you should document your job search efforts in case DEED asks for proof.
- If your claim is denied, you have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can bring evidence or a representative.
Who Can File for Minnesota Unemployment
You can file if you lost your job because the company laid you off, your position was eliminated, or your hours were cut so severely that you no longer earn enough to support yourself. You can also file if you quit for "good cause" — which Minnesota defines narrowly as leaving because of unsafe working conditions, illegal activity by the employer, or a substantial change in your job duties without your consent.
You cannot file if you were fired for misconduct, which means deliberately breaking a rule you knew about or acting recklessly. You also cannot file if you quit without a reason the state recognizes, or if you are self-employed (though some self-employed people in Minnesota can file under a separate program).
You must have earned at least $1,200 in the past year and worked at least 20 weeks in your base year — the first four of the last five calendar quarters before you file. If you do not meet these thresholds, you will not receive payments, but you can still file to establish a record.
How to File Your Claim Online or by Phone
The fastest way to file is through DEED's online portal at uimn.org. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your last employer — their name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. Have your final pay stub handy so you can confirm your wage information.
Log in or create an account, then select "File a New Claim." Answer questions about why you left your job, whether you quit or were laid off, and whether you received any severance or vacation payout. Be honest and specific — vague answers often trigger a review that delays your payment.
If you cannot file online, call the DEED Unemployment Insurance Division at 1-888-337-3710. Lines are busiest on Mondays and Tuesdays. Have the same documents ready. A representative will walk you through the questions and file your claim over the phone. The process takes about 20 minutes.
File as soon as possible after your last day of work. You can file up to two weeks late and still receive back pay for the weeks you missed, but waiting longer means you lose that money permanently.
What Information You Must Report Every Week
Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim form to continue receiving payments. You can do this online at uimn.org or by phone. The form asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you are still ready and willing to work.
You must report all income you earned during the week, including wages from a part-time job, gig work (DoorDash, Instacart, freelance writing), self-employment income, bonuses, or commissions. If you do not report income and DEED finds out later, you will owe back the overpayment plus a penalty.
Minnesota allows you to earn up to 30 percent of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment. If you earn more than that, your benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar. For example, if your weekly benefit is $500 and you earn $200, you lose $100 from that week's payment because $200 exceeds the 30 percent threshold of $150.
File your weekly claim by the important date — usually the Sunday after the week ends. Late filings can be accepted up to two weeks late, but you will lose payment for any weeks you miss the important date.
Common Reasons Claims Are Denied or Delayed
The most common reason for denial is that DEED determines you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause. When this happens, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining the reason. You have 10 days to request a hearing to challenge the decision.
Claims are also delayed when your employer disputes your account of why you left. If your employer says you quit without cause and you say you were laid off, DEED will contact both of you and may schedule a phone hearing. This can add two to four weeks to your approval. Bring any written communication from your employer — emails, text messages, or a termination letter — to prove your version.
Another common delay happens when you do not report income correctly. If you work part-time or do gig work and forget to report it, DEED may catch the discrepancy when they review your tax records months later. You will then owe back the overpayment. Report everything, even small amounts.
If your claim shows you did not meet the earnings or work-week requirement, you will be denied. You can still request a hearing and bring pay stubs or W-2s to prove you earned enough.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied
When DEED denies your claim, you receive a written notice that explains the reason and tells you how to appeal. You have 10 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing. Do not wait — missing this important date means you lose your right to challenge the decision.
To request a hearing, call 1-888-337-3710 or file online at uimn.org. Tell them you want to appeal and ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge. You will receive a notice with the hearing date, usually two to four weeks away.
At the hearing, you can present evidence and testify. Bring documents that support your case — pay stubs, emails from your employer, a termination letter, or anything that shows why you left your job. You can also bring a representative, such as a lawyer or advocate, though you do not need one. Your employer may also attend and present their side of the story.
The judge will make a decision within a few days and mail it to you. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Appeals Court, though this is a longer process and requires more formal legal steps.
How Long Payments Last and What Happens When They End
In a standard benefit year, you can receive payments for up to 26 weeks. Your benefit year runs from the Sunday of the week you file your claim through the following year. Once you exhaust your 26 weeks, payments stop unless the state has extended benefits due to high unemployment.
Minnesota sometimes offers extended benefits when the state unemployment rate is very high. These extensions add 13 or 20 additional weeks of payments, but only if you have used all 26 weeks of your regular benefit and meet other requirements. DEED will notify you if an extension is available.
When your payments end, you can file a new claim only if you have returned to work and earned enough in a new base year to may have access to again. If you have not worked, you cannot file a new claim until you do.
If you are still looking for work when your payments end, look into other programs. Minnesota has job training programs, emergency information, and food support that may help while you search. Contact your local workforce center or call 211 for referrals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off due to the pandemic?
Yes, a layoff is grounds to file regardless of the reason. However, federal pandemic programs that added extra weeks and money ended in September 2021. You can still file for regular Minnesota unemployment, which pays up to 26 weeks at the standard rate.
What if I was fired but I think it was unfair?
Unfair is not the same as misconduct in unemployment law. You can only win if you were fired for breaking a rule you knew about, or if your employer acted illegally. If you were fired for poor performance or a personality conflict, you likely cannot collect. Request a hearing and explain your side — the judge will decide.
Do I have to report my job search to DEED?
You do not have to submit a list of jobs you applied for, but you must certify each week that you are ready and willing to work. If DEED questions whether you are actively searching, you should be able to show evidence — job applications, interviews, or contacts with employers. Keep a straightforward log just in case.
What if I earn money from a side gig while collecting unemployment?
Report all gig income on your weekly claim form. You can earn up to 30 percent of your weekly benefit without losing any payment. Above that, your benefit is reduced. For example, if your benefit is $400 and you earn $200 from gig work, you lose $80 that week because $200 exceeds the $120 threshold.
Can I collect unemployment while I am in school or training?
You can collect while in school only if the school is part of an approved training program and you are still available to work. If you are a full-time student not in an approved program, you are not considered ready and willing to work, and you cannot collect. Ask DEED whether your program qualifies.