What you file each week and why it matters
Once Wisconsin approves your initial claim, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. The weekly claim is a short form where you report your work history for that week — whether you worked, earned money, looked for work, or were unable to work. Wisconsin uses this information to calculate your payment amount for that week.
You file the weekly claim through the same system where you filed your initial claim: the SIDES portal (Shared Internet Data Entry System) at https://sides.sbs.wi.gov. The form takes about five minutes. If you do not file a weekly claim, you do not receive a payment that week, even if you are still unemployed.
Wisconsin requires you to file by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Sunday. If you miss the important date, you can still file late, but your payment will be delayed. Many people set a phone reminder for Sunday morning to avoid forgetting.
Key Takeaways
- You must file a weekly claim every Sunday by 11:59 p.m. to receive a payment for that week, even if nothing has changed since the previous week.
- The weekly claim asks about your work, earnings, and job search activity — answer honestly because misreporting can result in overpayment and a bill to repay Wisconsin.
- You file through the SIDES portal using the same login you created when you filed your initial claim.
- If you worked or earned money during the week, report the exact amount — Wisconsin reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar after a small earnings threshold.
- If you cannot file online, call the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development at 1-608-266-3131 to file by phone.
Step-by-step: Filing your weekly claim online
Have your SIDES login ready before you start. If you do not remember your username or password, use the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" link on the SIDES login page — Wisconsin will email you a reset link.
Log in to SIDES at https://sides.sbs.wi.gov. Once you are logged in, look for a button or link labeled "File Weekly Claim" or "New Claim". Click it. The form will show the week you are filing for (usually the week that just ended on Sunday).
Answer each question honestly:
- Did you work this week? Answer "Yes" or "No". If you worked even one day, answer "Yes".
- How many hours did you work? Enter the total hours for the entire week, including overtime.
- How much did you earn? Enter your gross earnings (before taxes) for that week. Include tips, bonuses, and any other money you were paid.
- Were you able and available to work? Answer "Yes" unless you were sick, injured, or otherwise unable to work that week.
- Did you look for work? Answer "Yes" if you applied for jobs, attended interviews, or contacted employers. Answer "No" if you did not search.
- Did you refuse any work? Answer "Yes" only if an employer offered you work and you turned it down. Answer "No" if no one offered you work.
Review your answers. Click "Submit" or "File Claim". SIDES will show a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — keep this for your records.
What happens to your earnings and how they affect your payment
Wisconsin does not reduce your payment dollar-for-dollar for all earnings. Instead, you have an earnings threshold — a small amount you can earn without losing any payment. For 2024, that threshold is roughly 30 percent of your weekly benefit amount, though this can change. Once you earn above that threshold, Wisconsin reduces your payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above it.
Example: If your weekly benefit amount is $300, your threshold is about $90. If you earn $150 that week, you earned $60 above the threshold. Wisconsin reduces your payment by $30 (50 cents × $60), so you receive $270 instead of $300.
Report your earnings exactly as you received them. If you are unsure whether to count something — a gift, a reimbursement, a bonus — report it. It is better to report and have Wisconsin clarify than to underreport and face an overpayment bill later.
Filing late or missing a week
If you miss the Sunday 11:59 p.m. important date, you can still file your weekly claim, but your payment will be delayed. Wisconsin typically processes late claims within one to two weeks, but the exact timing depends on how late you file and how busy the system is.
If you do not file a weekly claim for a week, you receive no payment for that week. You cannot go back and file for multiple weeks at once — you must file each week separately, even if you are filing late.
If you know you will not be able to file on time (for example, if you will be traveling or hospitalized), call the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development at 1-608-266-3131 before Sunday to ask about filing early or by phone.
Common mistakes that delay or reduce your payment
Underreporting earnings. If you earn money and do not report it, Wisconsin may discover the discrepancy during a wage match with your employer. You will then owe back the overpayment plus potential penalties. Always report what you actually earned.
Answering "No" to job search when you did not search. Wisconsin can ask you to provide proof of your job search — names of employers you contacted, dates of applications, interview confirmations. If you cannot provide proof, you may lose that week's payment. Answer honestly about whether you searched.
Forgetting to report that you worked. If you worked and did not report it, and Wisconsin finds out through a wage match, you will owe an overpayment. Even if the work was only a few hours, report it.
Filing after the important date and not following up. Late claims process slower. If you file late, check your SIDES account a few days later to confirm Wisconsin received it. If you do not see a confirmation, call 1-608-266-3131.
If you cannot file online
Call the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development at 1-608-266-3131. Have your Social Security number and claim number ready. A representative will ask you the same questions that appear on the online form and file your claim over the phone. Phone filing takes longer than online filing, so call early in the week if possible.
You can also request a paper form by mail, but this is slower and not recommended unless you have no phone or internet access. If you need a paper form, call the number above and ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I worked part of the week and was sick the rest?
Report the hours and earnings you actually worked. For the question "Were you able and available to work?", answer "No" if you were unable to work due to illness. Wisconsin may ask for a doctor's note, so keep medical records if you miss work due to illness.
Do I have to report job search activity every week?
Wisconsin does not require you to search for work every single week to receive a payment. However, if you answer "No" to the job search question, Wisconsin may ask you to explain why you did not search. Answer honestly — if you were working full-time that week, you do not need to search.
What if I made a mistake on my weekly claim after I filed it?
Log back into SIDES and check whether you can edit the claim. Some claims can be amended within a few days of filing; others cannot. If you cannot edit it yourself, call 1-608-266-3131 and explain the error. Wisconsin may adjust your payment if the error affected the amount.
Can I file my weekly claim early?
You can usually file up to one week early through SIDES. If you know you will not be available on Sunday, log in earlier in the week and file for the upcoming week. Check your SIDES account to see if the early filing option is available.
What if my employer contests my claim or says I quit?
Continue filing your weekly claims. Wisconsin will investigate the dispute separately from your weekly filing. You may be asked to provide your side of the story — keep records of emails, texts, or written communication with your employer. Weekly claims and the initial claim dispute are handled by different departments.