Where to File Your Unemployment Claim in Alabama
Alabama's unemployment office is run by the Alabama Department of Labor, and you file your claim through their online system called ALEX (Alabama Labor Exchange). You do not go to a physical office to file — the state processes all claims online or by phone. The website is labor.alabama.gov, and the phone line for new claims is 1-866-234-5382.
You can start a claim on the ALEX website any day of the week, any time. The system will ask you questions about your job, why you left or were let go, and your work history. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes. After you submit, you will get a confirmation number and a notice telling you when your first payment should arrive if you are found to meet the requirements.
If you cannot use the computer or prefer to file by phone, call the number above. A representative will take your information over the phone and file the claim for you. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- File your claim through ALEX at labor.alabama.gov or call 1-866-234-5382; Alabama does not require you to visit a physical office.
- You must have worked in Alabama or for an Alabama employer, earned at least $1,400 in your base period (usually the first four of the last five calendar quarters), and be unemployed through no fault of your own.
- File as soon as you lose your job, because your claim is dated from the week you file, and you cannot receive payment for weeks before that date.
- After filing, you must certify your weekly claim every two weeks by logging into ALEX or calling, or your payments will stop.
- The state processes most claims within two to three weeks, but you may be asked to verify information or attend a phone interview before a decision is made.
What Alabama Requires Before You Can Receive Payment
Alabama has four main requirements. First, you must have worked in Alabama or for an Alabama-based employer during your base period. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period runs from January 2023 through December 2023.
Second, you must have earned at least $1,400 during that base period. This is a low threshold — most people who worked full-time for even a few months will clear it. Third, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means you were laid off, your hours were cut, or your workplace closed. If you quit without a good reason, or were fired for misconduct, you will be denied.
Fourth, you must be able and willing to work. You cannot be in school full-time, caring for a child with no childcare plan, or unable to accept a job offer because of illness or injury. You also cannot be receiving workers' compensation or Social Security retirement benefits at the same time.
How Much You Receive and How Long Payments Last
Alabama's weekly benefit amount ranges from $45 to $320, depending on how much you earned in your base period. The state takes your highest quarter of earnings and divides it by 26 to calculate your weekly rate. You receive this same amount every week you are found to be unemployed and meet the weekly requirements.
In most years, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks (six months). During periods of high unemployment, the federal government sometimes extends this to 39 weeks, but that extension is not automatic and depends on the state's unemployment rate at the time you file. Check the ALEX website or call to find out whether an extension is in effect when you file.
Your benefits end when you return to work, when you have collected for the maximum number of weeks, or when the state determines you no longer meet the requirements. If you find work, report it when ready when you certify your weekly claim — do not wait for the next payment.
Certifying Your Claim Every Two Weeks
After you file your initial claim, you must certify every two weeks to keep receiving payments. Certification means you confirm that you were unemployed during those two weeks and that you looked for work. You do this through ALEX by logging in and answering a short form, or by calling 1-866-234-5382.
The state will tell you which day you must certify — usually it is the same day each week. If you miss the important date, your payment will be delayed or stopped. You can certify up to two days early, so if your important date is a Friday, you can certify on Wednesday. If you certify late, the state may deny that week's payment.
When you certify, you will be asked whether you worked, whether you looked for work, and whether anything changed about your situation (such as a new job offer or a move). Answer honestly. If you say you did not work but you actually did, or if you say you looked for work but did not, the state can deny your claim and ask you to repay what you received.
What Happens If the State Denies Your Claim
If the Alabama Department of Labor denies your claim, you will receive a written notice explaining why. Common reasons include not meeting the earnings requirement, being fired for misconduct, quitting without good cause, or not being able to work. You have the right to appeal this decision.
To appeal, you must file a written request within 10 days of the date on the denial notice. You can appeal through ALEX, by mail, or by phone. The state will schedule a hearing, usually by phone, where you can explain your situation to a hearing officer. Bring any documents that support your case — pay stubs, a letter from your employer, medical records, or anything else that shows why you should receive benefits.
If you lose the appeal, you can appeal again to the Alabama Department of Labor's Appeals Division. This second appeal is also free. Many people win on appeal because they have time to gather documents or because a hearing officer understands their situation better than the initial reviewer did.
Reporting Work and Earnings While Receiving Benefits
If you find part-time work or temporary work while receiving unemployment, you must report it. You do not automatically lose your benefits — Alabama allows you to earn some money and still receive a reduced benefit. The state subtracts $1 from your weekly benefit for every $1 you earn over $15 per week.
For example, if your weekly benefit is $200 and you earn $100 in a week, you report the $100. The state subtracts $85 (the amount over $15) from your $200 benefit, leaving you with $115 for that week. This rule lets you ease back into work without losing all your income at once.
Report your earnings when you certify every two weeks. If you do not report work income and the state finds out later, you may be asked to repay the overpayment. Some employers also report wages to the state automatically, so hiding earnings usually does not work.
Contact Information and Resources
The main phone line for new claims is 1-866-234-5382. This line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. You can also file and manage your claim at labor.alabama.gov using the ALEX system. The website has a chat feature during business hours if you have questions while filing.
If you need help understanding your claim status, your weekly benefit amount, or why you were denied, call the same number. Have your Social Security number and the confirmation number from your claim ready. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the Alabama Relay Service by dialing 711.
The state also has a mailing address for written questions: Alabama Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance Division, 649 Monroe Street, Montgomery, AL 36131. Mail is slower than calling, but you will have a written record of your question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off but my employer says I quit?
Yes, you can file. The state will contact your employer to verify what happened. Bring any documents you have — a layoff notice, an email, a text message, or a witness who can confirm you were laid off. If your employer says you quit but you have evidence you were laid off, the hearing officer will usually side with you.
How long does it take to get my first payment after I file?
Most claims are processed within two to three weeks. Some are approved faster if there are no questions. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you whether you were approved and when your first payment will arrive. Payments are deposited to your bank account or sent to a debit card, depending on how you set it up.
What if I move out of Alabama while receiving benefits?
You can continue to receive Alabama benefits if you move, but you must still meet the work requirements. If you move to another state and find work there, you may need to file a new claim in that state instead. Call 1-866-234-5382 to tell the state about your move before it happens.
Can I receive unemployment and workers' compensation at the same time?
No. If you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, you cannot receive unemployment benefits. Once your workers' compensation ends, you can file for unemployment if you are still unable to work and meet the other requirements.
What if I was self-employed or a contractor?
Self-employed people and independent contractors do not usually meet Alabama's requirements for regular unemployment benefits. However, during certain federal emergency periods, self-employed workers may be able to file under a separate program. Call 1-866-234-5382 to ask whether you might be covered.