How to Sign Up for Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota

Where to start your Minnesota unemployment claim

Minnesota handles unemployment claims through DEED — the Department of Employment and Economic Development. You file your claim online at uimn.org, which is the only official place to start. You cannot file by phone, mail, or in person at a DEED office, though you can call 1-888-337-8366 if you need help using the website during the filing process.

The online system walks you through a series of questions about your job, your separation from it, and your current situation. You will need basic information ready: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent employer's name and address, and the dates you worked there. The whole process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes if you have this information in front of you.

After you submit your claim, DEED sends you a confirmation number. Write this down. You will use it to check your claim status and to file your weekly certifications — the forms you submit each week to confirm you are still out of work and looking for a job.

Key Takeaways

File your claim at uimn.org, the only official Minnesota unemployment filing site; phone support is available at 1-888-337-8366 if you get stuck during the process.
Have your Social Security number, state ID, most recent employer's name and address, and employment dates ready before you start.
After you file, you must submit a weekly certification form each week you want to receive a payment, or your claim will stop.
Your first payment usually arrives one to two weeks after you file, but only if your claim is approved and you have submitted your first weekly certification.
If DEED denies your claim, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Appeals Division.

What happens after you submit your claim

Once DEED receives your claim, they verify the information you provided. This means they contact your employer to confirm the dates you worked, your job title, your pay rate, and the reason you left. This verification step usually takes three to five business days, though it can take longer if your employer is slow to respond.

While DEED is verifying, you should start filing your weekly certifications. You do this on the same website where you filed your initial claim. Each certification asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned if you did, and whether you are still looking for work. You must file your certification by the important date each week — usually Sunday at 11:59 p.m. — or you will not receive a payment for that week.

If your claim is approved, your first payment arrives by direct deposit or debit card, depending on which method you chose when you filed. Payments are usually issued on Wednesday or Thursday of the week after you file your certification, though this can vary.

Documents and information you need before you file

Gather these items before you go to uimn.org. Having them ready will speed up your filing and reduce the chance you make a mistake that delays your claim:

Your Social Security number
Your Minnesota driver's license or state ID number
Your most recent employer's full name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code
The dates you started and stopped working at that job (month and year is enough)
Your job title and a brief description of what you did
Your gross weekly pay (the amount before taxes)
The reason you left the job — whether you were laid off, fired, or quit
If you quit: the specific reason why
Your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit, or you can choose a debit card instead

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, DEED may ask about your other jobs too. Have that information ready as well, because it affects how much you can receive.

Why DEED might deny your claim

Minnesota law says you can receive unemployment only if you lost your job through no fault of your own. This means layoffs and plant closures count, but quitting and being fired for misconduct usually do not. DEED will deny your claim if they determine you quit without good cause or were fired for willful or negligent conduct.

"Good cause" has a specific meaning in Minnesota law. It generally means you had a legitimate reason to quit — for example, your employer cut your pay significantly, changed your job duties in a major way, or created unsafe working conditions. Personal reasons like wanting a different schedule or moving to a new city usually do not count as good cause.

If DEED denies your claim, they send you a written notice explaining why. You have 30 days from the date on that notice to file an appeal with the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Appeals Division. You can appeal online through the same uimn.org website. An appeals examiner will review your case and may hold a hearing where you and your employer can present your side of the story.

Weekly certifications and how they work

Every week you want to receive a payment, you must file a certification form. This is separate from your initial claim. The certification confirms that you are still out of work, that you have been looking for a job, and that you did not earn money that week (or earned less than a certain amount).

You file your certification on uimn.org using your claim confirmation number. The form asks: Did you work this week? If yes, how much did you earn? Did you refuse any job offers? Are you still looking for work? You must answer these questions truthfully. If you earned money, DEED reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar for the first $30 you earned, then by 50 cents for every dollar above that.

If you miss the important date to file your certification, you do not receive a payment for that week. You can file a late certification, but DEED may require you to explain why you missed the important date. If you miss certifications for two weeks in a row, DEED may close your claim entirely.

Payment amounts and how long benefits last

Your weekly payment amount depends on how much you earned at your job during a specific 12-month period called the base period. DEED calculates this by looking at your earnings in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. The maximum weekly payment in Minnesota varies year to year based on state wage data.

You can receive unemployment for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year if you meet all the requirements. A benefit year runs from the week you file your claim through 52 weeks later. If you exhaust your 26 weeks of regular benefits and are still out of work, you may be able to receive Extended Benefits during times when Minnesota's unemployment rate is high. Extended Benefits are not automatic — DEED must trigger them based on state economic conditions.

Your payment continues as long as you file your weekly certification on time, you remain out of work (or earn below the threshold), and you have not used up all 26 weeks of your benefit year. Once your benefit year ends, you must file a new claim if you are still out of work.

If you need help filing or have questions

DEED offers phone support at 1-888-337-8366. The line is busiest early in the week and early in the morning. If you reach a busy signal, try calling later in the day or later in the week. You can also email DEED through uimn.org, though email responses usually take several business days.

If you do not have internet access, you can use a computer at a public library or a DEED office. DEED offices are located in most Minnesota counties. You can find the office nearest you on the DEED website. Staff at the office can help you file your claim on the computer, but they cannot file it for you — you must do the filing yourself.

If English is not your first language, DEED can provide an interpreter. Call 1-888-337-8366 and ask for interpretation services. Interpreters are available for many languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

You can file, but DEED will likely deny it unless you can show you were fired for a reason that was not your fault. Being fired for poor performance, breaking company rules, or showing up late usually results in a denial. If you were fired for something your employer did — like not paying you or creating a hostile workplace — you may have grounds to appeal a denial.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved and you file your first weekly certification on time, your first payment usually arrives one to two weeks after you file your initial claim. If DEED needs to verify information with your employer, it may take longer. You can check your claim status on uimn.org using your confirmation number.

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

You can still receive unemployment, but DEED will reduce your payment based on how much you earn. You must report your earnings on your weekly certification. The first $30 you earn each week does not affect your payment, but DEED reduces your payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above that.

Can I file a claim if I quit my job?

You can file, but DEED will deny it unless you quit for good cause. Good cause means you had a legitimate reason — for example, your employer cut your pay, changed your job duties significantly, or created unsafe conditions. Personal reasons like wanting a different schedule usually do not count. If DEED denies you, you can appeal within 30 days.

What happens if I do not file my weekly certification?

You will not receive a payment for that week. If you miss two weeks in a row, DEED may close your claim. You can file a late certification, but you must explain why you missed the important date. It is important to file on time every week to keep your claim active.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.