What Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Covers

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a program run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that pays weekly benefits to workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. The program is funded by employer payroll taxes, not by the state general fund or federal income tax.

The program covers most private-sector workers and some public employees. It does not cover self-employed people, independent contractors, or gig workers — those groups have separate options through federal programs. Benefits replace part of your lost wages while you search for work, but they are not meant to replace your full paycheck.

Minnesota sets its own benefit amounts and may be able to access rules within federal guidelines. The weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings in the year before you filed, and the maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on the state's unemployment rate at the time you filed.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for Minnesota UI through DEED's online portal or by phone, and you must report your reason for job loss accurately — the system cross-checks with your employer's records.
  • You need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer, including their name, address, and phone number.
  • The state takes one to three weeks to process your claim and determine whether you meet the earnings and employment history requirements.
  • Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive that week's payment, and you must report any work, income, or job refusals during that week.
  • Common reasons for denial include not meeting the earnings threshold, being fired for misconduct, or quitting without good cause — you can appeal any denial decision.

Who Can File for Minnesota Unemployment Insurance

To receive Minnesota UI, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. This means you were laid off, your hours were cut, or your employer closed — not that you quit or were fired for misconduct. The state defines "misconduct" narrowly: it usually means willful or negligent violation of reasonable employer rules, not poor performance or a single mistake.

You must also have earned at least $1,300 in wages during the year before you filed your claim. This is the minimum earnings threshold; most people who worked for several months will meet it. You must have worked in Minnesota or for a Minnesota employer, and you must be able and available to work — meaning you are not in school full-time, caring for a child with no childcare, or unable to accept a job offer.

If you were fired, the state will contact your employer to ask why. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct, DEED will review the facts and decide whether the firing meets the legal definition. You will have a chance to tell your side of the story.

Documents and Information to Gather Before You File

Have these items ready before you start your claim:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your Minnesota driver's license or ID number
  • Your last employer's name, street address, city, state, and zip code
  • Your last employer's phone number
  • The date you were hired and the date your job ended
  • Your job title and a brief description of what you did
  • Your reason for job loss (laid off, hours cut, business closed, etc.)
  • The names and phone numbers of any other employers you worked for in the past 18 months
  • Information about any income you received while unemployed (gig work, part-time jobs, severance, vacation payout)

If you were laid off or your hours were cut, have a copy of any notice your employer gave you. If you quit, have written documentation of the reason — an email, text, or letter helps. If you were fired, write down what happened and when.

How to File Your Claim Online or by Phone

Most people file through Minnesota's online portal at uimn.org. The site is open 24 hours a day. You will create an account using your email and a password, then answer questions about your employment history, your reason for job loss, and your income.

The form takes 15 to 30 minutes. Answer every question truthfully — the state cross-checks your answers against what your employer reports. If you say you were laid off but your employer says you quit, DEED will investigate and may deny your claim.

If you cannot file online, call the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program at 1-888-313-2363. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and file your claim over the phone. You will receive a confirmation number.

File as soon as you lose your job — do not wait. Benefits are not paid for weeks before you file, so filing late means losing money you could have received.

What Happens After You File and How Long It Takes

After you file, DEED sends a notice to your employer asking them to confirm the information you provided — your hire date, your job title, your reason for separation, and whether you were fired or laid off. Your employer has 10 days to respond.

DEED reviews both your claim and your employer's response. If everything matches and you meet the earnings requirement, your claim is approved. If there is a disagreement — for example, your employer says you quit but you say you were laid off — DEED will send you a letter asking for more information. You have 10 days to respond.

The whole process usually takes one to three weeks. During this time, you will not receive any payments. Once your claim is approved, you will receive back pay for all the weeks you were waiting, but only if you filed your weekly claims during that time (see the next section).

You will receive a letter in the mail telling you whether your claim was approved or denied. If it was denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal.

Filing Your Weekly Claim and Reporting Work or Income

Once your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive that week's payment. You do this through the same uimn.org portal or by phone. The weekly claim takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Each week, you will answer these questions: Did you work? Did you earn any income? Did you refuse any job offers? Did you attend school or training? Your answers determine whether you receive the full weekly benefit, a reduced benefit, or no benefit that week.

If you worked part-time or earned any income during the week, you must report it. Minnesota allows you to earn up to 30 percent of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment. If you earn more than that, your benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar for every dollar over the limit. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $200, you lose $50 in benefits (because $200 is more than 30 percent of $400).

If you refuse a job offer without good cause, you lose benefits for that week and possibly longer. Good cause includes the job paying less than your usual wage, requiring unsafe working conditions, or conflicting with a medical appointment.

File your weekly claim by Sunday of each week, or by the important date DEED gives you in your approval letter. If you miss the important date, you will not receive payment for that week, even if you were unemployed.

Common Reasons Claims Are Denied and How to Appeal

The most common reason for denial is not meeting the $1,300 earnings threshold. If you worked for only a few weeks or earned very little, you may not may have access to. There is no appeal for this — you straightforward do not meet the requirement.

The second most common reason is that your employer reports you were fired for misconduct or that you quit. DEED will investigate, but if your employer's account is credible and detailed, your claim may be denied. You can appeal by requesting a hearing.

Other reasons include working as an independent contractor (not covered by UI), being a student and unable to work full-time, or having already received the maximum number of weeks of benefits in that benefit year.

To appeal a denial, you must request a hearing within 30 days of the denial letter. You do this by calling DEED or submitting a written request through uimn.org. A hearing officer will review your case and your employer's response. You can present evidence — emails, texts, witnesses, or written statements — to support your side. The hearing is usually held by phone and takes 20 to 45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I receive each week?

Your weekly benefit is based on your earnings in the 12 months before you filed. Minnesota calculates it as roughly 50 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. The state will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter. You can also estimate it on uimn.org before you file.

What if I find a new job while receiving benefits?

Report your new job on your next weekly claim. If you earn less than 30 percent of your weekly benefit, you receive the full benefit. If you earn more, your benefit is reduced. Once you work full-time and earn enough, your benefits stop automatically.

Can I receive benefits if I was laid off due to the pandemic?

Yes, if you lost your job due to COVID-19 closures or reduced hours, you may be covered by regular Minnesota UI or by federal pandemic programs (which are no longer active as of 2024). File a regular claim through DEED; they will determine which program you may have access to for based on your situation.

What if my employer contests my claim?

DEED will send you a letter explaining what your employer said and asking for your response. You have 10 days to reply. Provide any evidence you have — emails, texts, a written statement, or witness contact information. If you disagree with DEED's decision, you can appeal and request a hearing.

Do I have to report job search activities?

Minnesota does not require you to report specific job search activities on your weekly claim, but you must be able and available to work. If DEED asks, you should be able to describe the jobs you applied for and the employers you contacted. Keep a straightforward log of your applications and interviews.