What UIMN is and what you can do with it

UIMN is the online portal where you file your initial unemployment claim in Minnesota, certify for weekly benefits, check your claim status, and manage your account. It is run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). You access it at uimn.org.

UIMN is the only way to file a new claim in Minnesota — there is no paper form or phone line for initial claims. Once your claim is open, you use UIMN every week to certify that you are still unemployed and meet the work-search requirements. You can also use it to view your payment history, update your contact information, and upload documents if DEED asks for them.

The system is available 24 hours a day, but DEED processes claims during business hours. If you file on a Friday evening or weekend, your claim will not be reviewed until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a UIMN account and file your initial claim through the portal at uimn.org — Minnesota does not accept paper or phone claims.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and employment history for the past 18 months ready before you start.
  • After you file, you must certify for benefits every week by logging into UIMN and answering questions about your work search and income.
  • If DEED needs more information, they will send you a message in UIMN — check your account regularly, because missing a important date can delay or stop your payments.
  • You can upload documents, check your payment status, and update your address all through UIMN without calling.

Creating your UIMN account and logging in

Go to uimn.org and select "Create Account" or "Sign In". If you do not have an account yet, you will create one using your email address and a password you choose. Minnesota will send you a confirmation email — open it and click the link to verify your email address. This step is required before you can file a claim.

Once your email is verified, log back into UIMN. You may be asked to set up two-factor authentication, which means Minnesota will send a code to your phone or email each time you log in from a new device. This is a security step and is worth the extra 30 seconds — it protects your account from someone else accessing your claim.

If you forget your password, select "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the reset link sent to your email. If you forget the email address you used to create your account, you will need to call DEED's customer service line at 1-888-337-8436 to recover it.

Filing your initial claim in UIMN

After you log in, select "File a New Claim" or "New Claim". UIMN will walk you through a series of screens asking about your job loss, your work history, and your personal information. Have these documents ready before you start: your Social Security number, your driver's license or state ID number, and the names and dates of employment for every job you held in the past 18 months.

You will be asked why you are no longer working — select the reason that matches your situation (laid off, quit, fired, reduced hours, etc.). Be honest and specific. If you quit, you will need to explain why. If you were fired, you will need to explain the reason. DEED uses this information to determine whether you are disqualified under Minnesota law.

You will also enter information about your most recent employer: their name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. UIMN will ask whether you have already been paid for any unused vacation or sick time. If you have, enter the amount — it may reduce your weekly benefit amount for that week.

At the end, UIMN will show you a summary of your answers. Review it carefully. Once you submit, you cannot change most of this information without calling DEED. If something is wrong, go back and fix it before you submit.

Weekly certification and work-search requirements

After your claim is approved, you must certify every week that you are still unemployed and looking for work. UIMN will send you a notification (usually on Sunday or Monday) telling you that your certification is ready. Log in and select "Certify for Benefits" or "Weekly Certification".

You will answer questions about whether you worked that week, how much you earned if you did work, and whether you searched for a job. Minnesota requires you to make at least two work-search contacts per week — this means explore for jobs, attending a job interview, registering with a staffing agency, or attending a job training program. You do not have to list every contact in UIMN, but you should keep a record of them in case DEED asks.

If you earned any income that week (including gig work, freelance pay, or partial wages), report it honestly. DEED will reduce your benefit check by a portion of what you earned, but you will still receive something if your earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. If you do not report income and DEED finds out, you may have to repay the overpayment.

You must certify by the important date shown in UIMN — usually the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m. If you miss the important date, your payment will be delayed or stopped until you certify. There is no grace period.

Checking your claim status and payment history

Log into UIMN and select "Claim Status" or "My Claims" to see whether your claim is pending, approved, or denied. If it is pending, you will see the date DEED expects to make a decision. If it is approved, you will see your weekly benefit amount and the total number of weeks you are may have access to to receive benefits.

Select "Payment History" or "View Payments" to see a list of every payment DEED has sent you, the amount, and the date it was deposited. If a payment is missing or the amount is wrong, take a screenshot and note the week it covers, then contact DEED with that information.

If DEED needs more information from you, they will send you a message in UIMN. Check your account at least twice a week. The message will tell you what document or information they need and when they need it by. If you miss the important date, your claim may be denied or your payments may stop.

Uploading documents and responding to requests

If DEED asks you to upload a document — such as a separation notice, pay stub, or proof of identity — log into UIMN and look for a message or notification. The message will have a link or button that says "Upload Documents" or "Respond". Click it and follow the instructions to attach your file.

Use a clear photo or scan of the document. If you are using your phone camera, make sure the entire document is visible and the text is readable. DEED accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files. If your file is too large, try compressing it or taking a clearer photo that is smaller in file size.

Upload your document before the important date shown in the message. If you cannot find the upload link or are not sure what document DEED is asking for, call 1-888-337-8436 and ask them to clarify. Do not wait until the last day — if the system is slow or you have trouble uploading, you will have no time to fix it.

Common problems and how to fix them

If you cannot log into UIMN, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you are sure they are right, select "Forgot Password" and reset it. If you still cannot log in, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again in a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). If none of that works, call DEED at 1-888-337-8436.

If you filed a claim but do not see it in UIMN, wait 24 hours. New claims take time to appear in the system. If it still does not show up after a full business day, call DEED and give them your Social Security number so they can look it up.

If you certified for a week but did not receive a payment, check your "Payment History" in UIMN to see whether the payment was issued. If it was issued but you did not receive it, it may still be in transit — bank deposits can take 1 to 3 business days. If the payment shows as issued more than 3 business days ago and you still have not received it, call DEED with the payment date and amount.

If you see a message saying your claim is "on hold" or "pending review", do not panic. This usually means DEED is checking something — your work history, your reason for leaving your job, or a document you uploaded. Check UIMN every day for updates. If the hold lasts more than a week, call DEED to ask what they are reviewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim on my phone?

Yes. UIMN works on phones, tablets, and computers. The mobile version is smaller but has all the same features. If you have trouble on your phone, try logging in on a computer instead — some older phones have display issues with UIMN.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a UIMN account. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account at Gmail.com, Outlook.com, or Yahoo.com in about 5 minutes. Use an email address you can access regularly, because DEED will send you important messages there.

How long does it take for DEED to approve my claim?

Most claims are approved within 7 to 10 business days. Some take longer if DEED needs to contact your employer or if there is a question about your reason for leaving. You can check your claim status in UIMN any time — it will show you the expected decision date.

Can I change my answer after I file my claim?

You cannot change most answers after you submit your claim. If you made a mistake, call DEED at 1-888-337-8436 and explain what is wrong. They may be able to correct it, or they may ask you to file a new claim. Do not wait — call as soon as you realize the error.

What happens if I do not certify on time?

Your payment will be delayed or stopped. Once you certify late, DEED will process your payment, but it may take several extra days. If you miss certification for two weeks in a row, your claim may be closed. Always certify by the important date shown in UIMN, even if you did not work or search for a job that week — you still need to report it.