What Minnesota's unemployment program covers and how it operates

Minnesota's unemployment insurance is run by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which processes claims, determines who receives benefits, and handles disputes. The program pays a portion of your lost wages if you lose your job through no fault of your own — layoffs, business closures, and some medical situations may have access to, but quitting or being fired for misconduct typically do not.

Benefits come from a fund built by employer payroll taxes, not general state revenue. You do not pay into it directly as an employee. The amount you receive depends on your earnings in the past year, and the length of time you can collect depends on the state's unemployment rate at the time you file. During periods of high unemployment, you may be able to collect for longer.

Minnesota processes most claims through an online portal called UIMN (Unemployment Insurance Minnesota). You file your initial claim there, report your weekly job search activity, and receive payment via direct deposit or a debit card. The system also handles employer appeals and wage verification.

Key Takeaways

  • You file your initial claim through UIMN online, and DEED determines within two to three weeks whether you meet the program's requirements.
  • Weekly benefits are based on your earnings from the past year, with a maximum amount that changes yearly and a minimum of around $38 per week.
  • You must report your weekly job search activity and any earnings from part-time work, or your benefits will be reduced or stopped.
  • If DEED denies your claim, you have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can represent yourself or bring a lawyer.
  • Minnesota offers additional programs like Reemployment Services and Alien Job Training (RESAJ) that provide job coaching and training referrals at no cost.

How to file your initial claim with DEED

Go to uimn.org and create an account using your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. You will need your driver's license or state ID number. Have your most recent pay stub or W-2 ready — DEED uses this to verify your earnings history.

When you file, you will answer questions about your job, your employer, the reason you are no longer working, and whether you were fired or laid off. Be specific about dates and the employer's name and address. If you were laid off, say so. If you were fired, explain what happened — DEED will contact your employer to verify the reason, and they will make the information about fault.

After you submit, DEED sends you a notice within two to three weeks. If approved, your account will show your weekly benefit amount and the date your first payment arrives. If denied, the notice explains why and tells you how to request a hearing. Do not wait — you have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal.

Weekly reporting and how your benefits are calculated

Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every Sunday through Friday of the following week. Log into UIMN and report whether you worked, earned any money, and searched for a job. If you do not file your weekly claim, you do not receive a payment that week.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as roughly 50 percent of your average weekly earnings from the past year, up to a maximum. The maximum changes each year — in 2024 it is $863 per week, but verify the current amount on DEED's website because it may have changed. The minimum is around $38 per week. If you earned very little in the past year, your benefit may be below the minimum and you will receive nothing.

If you work part-time or earn any income while collecting, report it on your weekly claim. DEED reduces your benefit by a percentage of what you earned — you do not lose the entire week's payment, but you will receive less. If you fail to report earnings and DEED discovers it later, you may have to repay the overpayment.

Job search requirements and reporting

Minnesota requires you to search for work each week you collect benefits. You must be able to show that you looked for a job — this means explore to positions, contacting employers, attending interviews, or using a job board. You do not have to submit proof with your weekly claim, but DEED can ask for it at any time, and if you cannot show you searched, your benefits will stop.

Some people are exempt from the job search requirement: those in approved training programs, those with a medical condition that temporarily prevents work, and those with a scheduled return-to-work date within a few weeks. If you think you may have access to for an exemption, contact DEED before your claim is approved.

If you are called for an interview or offered a job and you refuse without good reason, you may be disqualified. Good reasons include the job paying significantly less than your previous work, unsafe conditions, or a schedule that conflicts with a medical appointment. Vague reasons like "I did not like the company" will not protect your benefits.

What happens if DEED denies your claim

DEED denies claims most often because the person was fired for misconduct, quit without good cause, or did not earn enough in the past year to meet the minimum. The denial notice will state the specific reason. Read it carefully — it explains what DEED found and why.

You have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. File your appeal within 30 days of the notice date using the form included with the denial letter, or file online through UIMN. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one if you want.

At the hearing, you will explain your side of the story. The judge will also hear from your former employer. If the employer says you were fired for stealing, for example, and you say it was a misunderstanding, the judge decides who is more credible. If you win, your claim is approved and you receive back pay. If you lose, you can appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, though this is rare and usually requires a lawyer.

Payment methods and timing

DEED pays benefits by direct deposit to your bank account or by debit card if you do not have a bank account. Direct deposit is faster — payments arrive within one to two business days of your weekly claim being processed. Debit card payments take three to five business days.

You receive payment once per week, usually on the same day each week. The amount depends on your weekly benefit calculation and any deductions for work you reported. If you file your weekly claim late, your payment may be delayed. If you do not file at all, you receive nothing that week.

If you believe a payment is wrong or missing, contact DEED's customer service line at 1-888-337-6657. Have your Social Security number and claim number ready. Processing errors do happen, and DEED can investigate and correct them, though it may take a week or two.

Additional Minnesota programs and resources

Beyond basic unemployment benefits, Minnesota offers Reemployment Services and Alien Job Training (RESAJ), which provides free job coaching, resume help, and referrals to training programs. You do not have to be in a training program to use it — it is open to anyone collecting unemployment. Contact your local workforce center to sign up.

If you are interested in retraining for a different field, Minnesota has Dislocated Worker Grants that can pay for tuition and books if you are laid off from a declining industry. You must be referred by a workforce center and meet income requirements. The grant does not cover living expenses while you train, but unemployment benefits can continue if you are in an approved program.

Minnesota also runs Shared Work, a program that allows employers to reduce hours instead of laying off workers. If your employer participates, you collect partial unemployment for the hours you do not work. Ask your employer whether they offer this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I collect unemployment in Minnesota?

The length depends on the state's unemployment rate when you file. In normal times, you can collect for up to 26 weeks. When unemployment is high, you may be able to collect for up to 39 weeks through a federal extension. DEED will tell you the maximum duration when your claim is approved.

What if I was laid off but my employer says I quit?

File your claim and state that you were laid off. DEED will contact your employer to verify. If there is a disagreement, you will have a hearing where you can explain what happened. Bring any documents — emails, severance letters, or witness names — that support your version.

Can I collect unemployment while I am in school or training?

Yes, if the training is approved by DEED and you are still searching for work. Some training programs are automatically approved. Others require you to request approval before you enroll. Contact your local workforce center to confirm before you start.

What if I earned tips or cash income that I did not report to my employer?

Report all income you earned, including tips and cash, on your weekly claim. DEED bases your benefit on what you actually earned, not what you reported to the IRS. If you underreported income to your employer, that is a separate tax issue, but it does not affect your unemployment claim.

Can I collect unemployment if I am self-employed or a contractor?

Minnesota unemployment insurance covers W-2 employees, not self-employed people or independent contractors. If you were classified as a contractor but believe you were actually an employee, you can file a claim and DEED will investigate the classification. Bring pay stubs, contracts, and any documents showing how you were treated as an employee.