What Minnesota unemployment insurance covers and who can receive it

Minnesota's unemployment insurance program pays weekly benefits to workers who have lost a job through no fault of their own. The state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administers the program. You receive money while you search for work, and the program is funded by employer payroll taxes, not by your own contributions.

The program covers most private-sector workers and some public employees. It does not cover self-employed people, independent contractors, or gig workers unless they have elected into coverage. If you were fired for misconduct, quit without good cause, or left work voluntarily, you will likely be denied. If you were laid off, your position was eliminated, your hours were cut, or you were let go due to lack of work, you generally have a stronger case.

Minnesota also offers additional programs beyond basic unemployment insurance: Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA) for self-employed and gig workers during federal emergency periods, Unemployment Insurance for Disaster Unemployment information (DUA) when a major disaster is declared, and Extended Benefits when the state jobless rate is high enough to trigger them. These programs have different rules and different income limits.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have worked in Minnesota for at least 5 weeks in the past 52 weeks and earned at least $1,300 total to meet the basic threshold for regular unemployment insurance.
  • You must report that you are actively searching for work each week you claim benefits, and DEED may ask you to document your job search efforts.
  • Weekly benefit amounts depend on your past earnings and are calculated by DEED, not set at a flat rate across all workers.
  • You have 30 days from the date you lose your job to file your claim, though filing sooner protects you if there are delays in processing.
  • If DEED denies your claim, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 30 days of the denial letter.

Earnings and work history requirements

Minnesota requires that you have worked in the state during the past 52 weeks and earned at least $1,300 total. This is a low threshold — it means roughly 5 weeks of full-time work at minimum wage. However, DEED also looks at your "base period," which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Your earnings must be spread across at least two different quarters in that base period.

If you worked in Minnesota but also worked in another state during the same period, you may be able to combine earnings from both states to meet the threshold. This is called "interstate wage combining." You would file in Minnesota, but DEED would contact the other state's labor department to verify your out-of-state wages. The process takes longer but can help you reach the earnings requirement.

If you do not meet Minnesota's threshold, you may still be able to file under Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA) if a federal emergency is in effect, or you may be able to file in a different state where you worked if you earned more there. Check with DEED about your specific situation before assuming you are ineligible.

How weekly benefit amounts are calculated

Your weekly benefit amount is not a flat rate — it is based on your past earnings. DEED takes your highest quarter of earnings in your base period and divides it by 13 to get your "weekly wage." Your weekly benefit is then roughly one-third of that weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year; in 2024 it was $863 per week, but you should confirm the current maximum with DEED because it adjusts annually.

If you earned very little in your highest quarter, your benefit will be lower. If you earned a lot, you will hit the state maximum and receive that amount instead of one-third of your weekly wage. Part-time workers, seasonal workers, and workers who were recently hired often receive lower weekly amounts because their highest quarter earnings are lower.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year under the regular program. If the state unemployment rate is high enough, Extended Benefits may add up to 13 more weeks. During federal emergency declarations, additional weeks may be available through federal programs, though these are temporary and depend on Congress.

The weekly claim process and work search requirements

After you file your initial claim, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive benefits. You do this through the DEED website, by phone, or by mail. Each week you certify that you are unemployed, that you are actively searching for work, and that you have not earned more than a small amount (usually around $50 to $100, depending on your benefit amount). If you earn more than that threshold, your benefit is reduced or eliminated for that week.

DEED requires that you search for work each week. You do not have to document every process, but DEED can ask you to provide proof of your job search efforts. Keep records of the jobs you applied for, the dates, and the employers' contact information. If DEED asks for documentation and you cannot provide it, your claim can be denied or your benefits can be stopped.

If you are in a training program, have a scheduled job interview, or are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury, you may be excused from the work search requirement for that week. Report these situations to DEED when you file your weekly claim — do not wait for them to ask.

How to file your initial claim

You can file online through the DEED website at uimn.org, by phone at 1-888-337-8366, or by mail. Filing online is fastest and you can do it when ready after losing your job. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your most recent employer: their name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there.

Have your last pay stub available when you file. It shows your earnings and helps DEED verify your work history. If you do not have it, DEED can contact your employer directly, but this slows down processing. You should also be ready to explain why you are no longer working — whether you were laid off, your position was eliminated, your hours were cut, or you quit.

DEED will mail you a information letter within 2 to 3 weeks. This letter tells you whether your claim was approved, what your weekly benefit amount is, and how many weeks of benefits you are may have access to to. If you disagree with anything in the letter, you have 30 days to request a hearing. Do not wait — the 30-day important date is firm.

Reasons your claim might be denied

DEED denies claims most often because the worker does not meet the earnings or work history requirement, or because the reason for job loss disqualifies them. If you were fired for willful misconduct — meaning you deliberately broke a rule or refused to follow instructions — you are disqualified. If you quit without "good cause attributable to the employer," you are also disqualified. Good cause means the employer did something that made it impossible or unreasonable to stay, such as a substantial cut in pay, unsafe working conditions, or harassment.

You may also be denied if you refuse a suitable job offer, if you fail to report for a scheduled job interview, or if you do not cooperate with DEED's investigation. If you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, you cannot receive unemployment insurance for the same period. If you are receiving a pension from a public employer, your unemployment benefit may be reduced or eliminated depending on the type of pension.

If you are denied, the information letter will explain the reason. Read it carefully. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing. At the hearing, you can present evidence and testimony to challenge DEED's decision. Many people win on appeal, especially if they can show they had good cause to quit or that they were not fired for misconduct.

What happens if you return to work or earn money while claiming

If you return to work part-time or earn any income during a week you claim benefits, you must report it on your weekly claim form. DEED allows you to earn a small amount without losing benefits — usually around $50 to $100 per week depending on your benefit amount — but anything above that reduces your benefit dollar-for-dollar. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week.

If you find full-time work and no longer need benefits, you can stop filing weekly claims at any time. You do not have to use all 26 weeks. If you return to work and then lose that job later, you can file a new claim, but DEED will use a new base period to calculate your benefit amount. Your earnings from the job you just left will count toward the new claim.

If you work for your former employer in a temporary or part-time capacity while collecting benefits, report it. Some employers rehire laid-off workers temporarily during busy seasons. This is allowed, but you must report the earnings and your benefit will be reduced accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive unemployment if I was laid off due to a business closure?

Yes. A business closure, even if it is permanent, is a layoff — you lost your job through no fault of your own. File your claim and explain that the business closed. You will meet the disqualification test. DEED may contact your employer to verify, but the employer's closure is not a reason to deny you.

What if I was fired but I disagree with the reason?

File your claim anyway. Do not assume you are ineligible. DEED will contact your employer and ask why you were terminated. If your employer says it was for misconduct and you disagree, you can request a hearing. At the hearing, you can present your side of the story, and an administrative law judge will decide. Bring any written evidence you have — emails, performance reviews, or witness statements.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

If your claim is approved, your first payment is usually issued within 2 to 3 weeks of filing. Payments are deposited into your bank account or loaded onto a debit card, depending on how you set it up. If there is a delay or if DEED needs more information from you, they will contact you by mail or phone.

Can I file for unemployment if I am still employed but my hours were cut?

Yes, if your hours were cut significantly and you are earning less than you did before. You are considered partially unemployed. Report your current earnings on your weekly claim, and DEED will reduce your benefit accordingly. You must still be actively searching for additional work or full-time work.

What do I do if DEED overpays me?

Contact DEED when ready and report the overpayment. If you received benefits you were not may have access to to — either because of an error by DEED or because you did not report earnings correctly — you may be required to repay the money. If you cannot repay it all at once, DEED can set up a payment plan. Ignoring an overpayment does not make it go away and can result in wage garnishment or offset against future tax refunds.