The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment information login portal

Massachusetts unemployment accounts are managed through the Department of Unemployment information (DUA) website at mass.gov/dua. You log in using your Social Security number and a password you create when you first register. The system is called the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Online system, and it's where you file weekly claims, check payment status, and update your contact information.

The login page itself is straightforward: you enter your Social Security number in the first field, your password in the second, and click "Sign In." If you've never logged in before, you'll need to register first by clicking "New User Registration" on the same page. Registration takes about five minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address.

The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, DUA performs maintenance on the system most Tuesday nights between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Wednesday, so you may not be able to log in during that window. If you get an error message saying the system is unavailable, check back after 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Key Takeaways

  • You log in at mass.gov/dua using your Social Security number and a password you create during registration.
  • New users must register first by clicking "New User Registration" and providing their Social Security number, date of birth, and email address.
  • The system is down for maintenance most Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday, so plan your login accordingly.
  • Once logged in, you can file weekly claims, view payment history, and update your address or phone number without calling DUA.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it using your email address.

What you can do once you're logged in

After you log in, you land on your account dashboard. From there, you can file your weekly claim if you're currently receiving benefits. Massachusetts requires you to file a claim every week you want to receive a payment, and you have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to file for that week. The system will prompt you with questions about whether you worked, earned money, or refused any job offers during the week.

You can also view your payment history and check the status of any pending claims. The dashboard shows you when payments were sent, the amount, and the method (direct deposit or debit card). If a payment is delayed or missing, this is where you'll see a note explaining why.

The account settings section lets you update your mailing address, phone number, and email address without calling DUA. You can also change your password from this section if you want to update it for security reasons.

Resetting a forgotten password

If you forget your password, click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. You'll be asked to enter your Social Security number and the email address you used when you registered. DUA will send you a password reset link to that email address. The link is valid for 24 hours, so check your email right away, including your spam folder in case it lands there by mistake.

Click the link in the email and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Passwords must be at least eight characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (like ! or @). Once you've created your new password, you can log back in when ready.

If you don't receive the reset email within a few minutes, wait a bit and check again, including your spam folder. If you still don't see it after 30 minutes, you may need to call DUA directly at 877-626-6800 to verify your identity and reset your password over the phone.

Creating a new account if you don't have one yet

If you're filing for unemployment for the first time, you'll need to create an account before you can log in. On the mass.gov/dua login page, click "New User Registration." You'll be asked for your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a password. The password rules are the same as above: at least eight characters with uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character.

After you register, you can log in right away. However, registering for an account is not the same as filing a claim. Once you're logged in, you'll need to start a new claim by clicking the appropriate button on your dashboard. That's when you'll answer detailed questions about your work history, reason for separation from your job, and other information DUA needs to determine whether you're may have access to to benefits.

The initial claim process takes longer than weekly filing — usually 20 to 30 minutes — because DUA collects more information. You'll need details about your employer, your last day of work, and your reason for leaving. Have that information ready before you start.

Common login problems and how to fix them

If you see a message saying "Invalid Social Security number or password," double-check that you're entering both correctly. Social Security numbers should be entered without dashes (just nine digits). Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is off if you're typing a lowercase letter, or on if you need an uppercase letter.

If you're certain your Social Security number and password are correct but you still can't log in, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then reload the page. If you're using an older browser, try a different one like Chrome or Firefox. Some older versions of Internet Explorer have trouble with the DUA system.

If the system tells you your account is locked after several failed login attempts, wait 30 minutes before trying again. The account will unlock automatically. If it doesn't, or if you're still having trouble after clearing your cache and trying a different browser, call DUA at 877-626-6800. They can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Security and protecting your account

Your DUA account contains sensitive information, so treat your password like you would a bank password. Don't share it with anyone, and don't use the same password for your DUA account that you use for other websites. If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready and call DUA to report it.

The DUA website uses encryption to protect information you send, so logging in from a public computer (like at a library) is generally safe as long as you log out when you're done. However, it's better to log in from a private device if you can. If you do use a public computer, make sure you click "Sign Out" before you leave, and don't check the "Remember me" box when you log in.

DUA will never ask you for your password by email or phone. If you receive an email or call claiming to be from DUA and asking for your password, it's a scam. Hang up or delete the email and report it to DUA by calling 877-626-6800.

When to call DUA instead of using the online system

The online system handles most routine tasks, but some situations require a phone call. If you need to report a change in your circumstances that the weekly claim form doesn't cover — like a change in your availability to work, a new address, or a question about your benefit amount — call DUA at 877-626-6800. You can also call if you're having trouble with the website that clearing your cache and trying a different browser didn't fix.

DUA's phone lines are busiest on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you can call on a Wednesday through Friday, you'll usually wait less time. The phone system is automated, so have your Social Security number ready. You can also request a callback instead of waiting on hold — the system will call you back when an agent is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I never registered and I need to file a claim right now?

Go to mass.gov/dua and click "New User Registration" on the login page. Registration takes about five minutes. After you register, you can log in and start your initial claim when ready. The whole process from registration to submitting your first claim usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Can I log in on my phone or do I need a computer?

You can log in on your phone using any web browser. The DUA website is not optimized for mobile, so some buttons may be small or hard to tap, but it works. If you have trouble, try rotating your phone to landscape mode to see more of the page at once.

What if I registered but I'm getting an error when I try to log in?

First, make sure you're entering your Social Security number without dashes and that your password is typed exactly as you created it (passwords are case-sensitive). If that doesn't work, clear your browser's cache and cookies, close the browser completely, and try again. If you're still stuck, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password, or call DUA at 877-626-6800.

Is the DUA website safe to use on public WiFi?

The website uses encryption, so your login information is protected even on public WiFi. However, it's safer to use your own internet connection if you can. If you do log in on public WiFi, make sure you click "Sign Out" when you're done and don't check the "Remember me" box.

How do I know if my weekly claim was received?

After you submit your weekly claim, you'll see a confirmation message on the screen. You can also log back in anytime to check your dashboard — it will show you all the weeks you've filed and whether each claim was processed. If a week is missing, you may have forgotten to file it.