What you need to do to file in Minnesota

Minnesota's unemployment program is run by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and you file through their online portal called UIMN. You can start a claim on the DEED website without calling anyone first — the system walks you through the questions, and you'll know within a few minutes whether you can move forward. Most people file online and never speak to a person unless something on their claim needs clarification.

The process takes about 15 minutes if you have the right information ready. You'll answer questions about your job, why you're no longer working, your work history, and your Social Security number. DEED then contacts your employer to verify what you told them. If everything matches, you'll receive a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks, and payments start about a week after that if you're found to be due benefits.

You must file within four weeks of your last day of work to receive back pay for the weeks you were out of work. If you wait longer, you lose those earlier weeks — you can't go back and claim them later. This is the single most important important date in the process.

Key Takeaways

  • File through UIMN on the DEED website as soon as you stop working, because you must file within four weeks to receive back pay for earlier weeks.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license number, and your last employer's name and address ready before you start.
  • DEED will contact your employer to verify your employment and the reason you left, so be honest about whether you quit, were laid off, or were fired.
  • You'll receive a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks; if approved, payments begin about one week later.
  • You must report your weekly earnings and job search activity each week to keep receiving payments, even if you're working part-time.

What information to gather before you file

Collect these documents and details before you open the UIMN portal. Having them ready means you won't get stuck mid-process and lose your answers.

Personal identification: Your Social Security number, date of birth, and Minnesota driver's license number (or state ID number). If you don't have a Minnesota ID, have your out-of-state ID number ready.

Employment information: Your last employer's full legal name, the street address of the workplace (not a mailing address — the physical location where you worked), the phone number, and the date you stopped working. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, use the address of the branch where you actually worked.

Work history: The names and addresses of employers you worked for in the past 18 months, and the dates you worked there. You don't need exact dates — the month and year is enough. DEED uses this to check whether you've worked in other states and might owe money to another state's program.

Bank account information: Your checking or savings account number and routing number. Minnesota pays by direct deposit only — there is no option for a check or debit card. If you don't have a bank account, you'll need to open one before you can receive payments.

How to file your claim step by step

Step 1: Go to the UIMN website. Visit uimn.org and click "File a Claim" on the homepage. You'll be asked to create a login account with an email address and password. Use an email you check regularly — DEED will send you messages about your claim there.

Step 2: Answer the initial questions. The system asks whether you're filing for regular unemployment, pandemic unemployment, or another program. Choose "Regular Unemployment Insurance" unless you were told otherwise by DEED or your employer. Then answer whether you're a Minnesota resident and whether you've filed before.

Step 3: Provide your personal information. Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact details. Double-check your Social Security number — if it doesn't match DEED's records, your claim will be delayed.

Step 4: Describe your employment and separation. Enter your last employer's name and address, your job title, and the date you stopped working. Then answer why you're no longer working. The system gives you options: "Laid off," "Quit," "Fired," "Reduced hours," or "Other." Choose the one that fits. If you were laid off due to lack of work, select "Laid off." If you quit, you must explain why — if the reason was personal (you moved, you wanted a different job), you may not be due benefits, but DEED will make that decision after reviewing your claim.

Step 5: Report your work history. List employers from the past 18 months with dates and addresses. If you've only had one job, that's fine — just enter that one.

Step 6: Enter your bank account details. Provide your account number and routing number for direct deposit. If you're unsure of your routing number, your bank's website or a check will show it.

Step 7: Review and submit. Read through your answers. If anything is wrong, go back and fix it before you submit. Once you submit, you'll see a confirmation number on the screen — write it down or take a screenshot.

What happens after you file

Within one business day, you'll receive an email confirming that DEED received your claim. This is not a decision — it's just a receipt. DEED then contacts your employer to verify that you worked there and the reason you left. Your employer has about 10 days to respond.

If your employer confirms your story, DEED sends you a information letter in the mail. This letter says whether you're due benefits and how much you'll receive per week. If your employer disputes what you said — for example, they claim you quit when you say you were laid off — DEED will send you a letter asking you to explain. You'll have a chance to respond in writing or request a phone hearing with a DEED examiner.

If you're approved, your first payment arrives about one week after the information letter is mailed. Payments go directly to your bank account every week on Thursday. You must file a weekly claim each week to receive that week's payment — this takes about two minutes and is done through the same UIMN portal.

If you're denied, the information letter explains why. Common reasons include being fired for misconduct, quitting without a good reason, or not meeting the earnings requirement. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to request an appeal hearing.

Weekly reporting and job search requirements

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive your payment. Log into UIMN and answer a few questions: Did you work? How many hours? How much did you earn? Are you looking for work? The system takes about two minutes.

You must report any work you did that week, even if it's just a few hours. If you earned money and don't report it, DEED will find out when your employer reports your wages, and you'll owe the money back. There's no penalty for working and reporting it — your benefit is reduced by a portion of what you earned, but you keep some of the benefit.

Minnesota does not require you to prove you're actively searching for a job each week, but you must be willing and able to work. If DEED contacts you and asks whether you've looked for work, you should be able to say yes. Keep a straightforward list of places you've applied or people you've talked to, just in case.

Common reasons claims are delayed or denied

Employer disputes the separation: This is the most common delay. If your employer says you quit and you say you were laid off, DEED holds your claim while they investigate. You'll get a letter asking you to explain. Respond in writing within 10 days with as much detail as you can — include dates, names of managers, and what was said. If you have emails or texts from your employer, include copies.

Earnings don't meet the minimum: Minnesota requires you to have earned at least $1,000 in your base period (usually the first four of the last five calendar quarters before you filed). If you worked part-time or started a job late, you might not meet this. DEED will tell you in the information letter if this is the issue. You cannot appeal this — it's a rule, not a judgment call.

You quit without good cause: If you left your job voluntarily, DEED must decide whether you had "good cause" — a reason that would make a reasonable person quit. Moving to a new city, going back to school, or caring for a family member might may have access to. Personal preference or wanting a different job usually does not. Be specific in your explanation about why you left.

Missing or wrong information: If your Social Security number doesn't match DEED's records, or if your employer's address is wrong, DEED can't verify your claim. Check your confirmation email — if DEED found a problem, they'll tell you how to fix it.

If your claim is denied or you disagree with the decision

You have 30 days from the date on your information letter to request an appeal. Send a written request to the address on the letter, or file it through UIMN. You don't need a lawyer, and there's no cost.

DEED will schedule a phone hearing with an examiner, usually within two to four weeks. You'll explain your side of the story, and your employer (or their representative) will explain theirs. The examiner listens to both and makes a decision. This decision can be appealed further to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, but that's rare and usually requires a lawyer.

While your appeal is pending, you don't receive payments. If you win the appeal, you'll receive back pay for all the weeks you were waiting. If you lose, you owe nothing — you just don't get the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file if I was fired?

You can file, but you may not be due benefits. DEED pays benefits only if you were fired without "misconduct." If you were fired for being late, not following rules, or poor performance, that's usually considered misconduct and you won't be due benefits. If you were fired for something outside your control — the business closed, your position was eliminated — you may be due benefits. File anyway and let DEED decide.

What if I quit my job?

You can file, but you must have had "good cause" to quit. Good cause means a reason that would make a reasonable person leave — unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or a serious personal situation like caring for a sick family member. If you quit because you wanted a different job or didn't like the work, you probably won't be due benefits. Be honest about why you left; DEED will make the decision.

How much will I receive per week?

The amount varies based on how much you earned in the past 18 months. Minnesota calculates your "weekly benefit amount" by dividing your total earnings in the base period by 52 weeks, then paying a percentage of that amount. The maximum weekly benefit in Minnesota changes each year. Your information letter will show exactly how much you'll receive.

Can I work part-time while receiving benefits?

Yes. You report your earnings each week, and your benefit is reduced by a portion of what you earned. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $200 that week, you might receive $200 or $250 depending on how much you earned. You always keep some of the benefit as long as you're earning less than your full weekly amount.

What if I move out of Minnesota while receiving benefits?

Contact DEED when ready and tell them your new address. You can continue to receive Minnesota benefits if you move to another state, but you must keep filing your weekly claim. If you move and start working in another state, that state's unemployment program may have a claim on you instead. Call DEED to ask before you move.