Where to log in and what you need

Tennessee's unemployment system is called CONNECT, and you access it through a single online portal at connect.tn.gov. This is where you file weekly claims, check your claim status, view payment history, and update your contact information. You do not log in through a separate state website or a federal portal — everything runs through CONNECT.

To log in, you will need either your Social Security number or your CONNECT account username, plus your password. If you have never created a CONNECT account before, you must register first. Registration takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number where Tennessee can reach you.

Have these items ready before you start: your Social Security number, a valid email address you check regularly, and a phone number. If you are logging in to check on a claim you already filed, also have your claim number handy — you can find it in any correspondence from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee's unemployment portal is CONNECT at connect.tn.gov, and it is the only place to file claims, check status, and manage your account.
  • You log in with your Social Security number or username plus a password you create during registration.
  • New users must register before logging in, which requires your Social Security number, email, phone number, and date of birth.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page — Tennessee will send a reset link to your registered email.
  • CONNECT is available 24 hours a day, but the system performs maintenance on Tuesday nights, usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and you cannot log in during that window.

Step-by-step: Creating your CONNECT account for the first time

Go to connect.tn.gov and look for the "Register" or "Create Account" button on the login page. Click it. You will be taken to a registration form that asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and phone number. Enter each piece of information exactly as it appears in your records — mismatches can cause problems later when you file a claim.

Next, you will create a username and password. Your username can be anything you remember; your password must be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (like ! or #). Write down your username and password somewhere safe, or use a password manager. Tennessee will not ask you for your password over the phone or by email, so if someone does, it is a scam.

After you submit the registration form, Tennessee sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the confirmation link within 24 hours. If you do not confirm within 24 hours, you will have to register again. Once you confirm, your account is active and you can log in when ready.

Logging in after you have registered

Go to connect.tn.gov. On the login page, enter either your Social Security number or your username in the first field, then enter your password in the second field. Click "Log In." You will land on your CONNECT dashboard, which shows your claim status, any outstanding issues, and links to file your weekly claim if one is due.

If you see a message that says your account is locked or you have entered the wrong password too many times, wait 15 minutes and try again. If the problem continues, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password. Tennessee will send a reset link to your registered email address. Click the link, create a new password following the same rules as before, and then log in with the new password.

If you do not receive a password reset email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, make sure you are using the email address you registered with. If you registered with a different email and cannot remember which one, contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development at 1-833-TNHELP1 (1-833-864-4357) during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

What to do if you cannot remember your username or email

If you registered for CONNECT but cannot remember your username or the email address you used, you have two options. First, try logging in with your Social Security number instead of your username — CONNECT accepts either one. If you remember your password, you can log in this way and then update your email address in your account settings once you are inside.

If you do not remember your password either, call the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development at 1-833-TNHELP1 (1-833-864-4357). Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. A representative can verify your identity and help you reset your account. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

Common login problems and how to fix them

You see "Invalid username or password." This usually means you typed something wrong. Check that Caps Lock is off and that you are using the correct username or Social Security number. If you are sure you typed it right, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password. If that does not work, try logging in with your Social Security number instead of your username.

You see "Your account is locked." This happens after you enter the wrong password five times in a row. Wait 15 minutes, then try again. If you still cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link or call 1-833-TNHELP1.

The CONNECT website will not load or is very slow. Tennessee performs scheduled maintenance on Tuesday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Central Time. If you are trying to log in during that window, wait until after 2 a.m. If it is not Tuesday night and the site is still down, try a different web browser or clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If the problem continues, call 1-833-TNHELP1 to report it.

You registered but never received a confirmation email. Check your spam and junk folders first. If the email is not there, wait 24 hours and register again with the same information. If you still do not receive a confirmation email after the second attempt, call 1-833-TNHELP1 and ask them to resend the confirmation link to your email address.

What happens after you log in

Once you are logged into CONNECT, you will see your dashboard. This page shows whether you have an active claim, when your next weekly claim is due, and whether there are any issues Tennessee needs you to address — such as a missing document or a question about your work history. Read this page carefully every time you log in, because Tennessee uses it to communicate with you about your account.

If you have an active claim and a weekly claim is due, you will see a button or link that says "File Weekly Claim" or "File Your Claim." Click it and answer the questions about your work search and any work you did that week. Submit your claim before the important date shown on your screen. If you miss the important date, your payment for that week will be delayed.

You can also use CONNECT to view your payment history, update your mailing address or phone number, and check the status of any documents you submitted. Do not log out without reading any messages or alerts on your dashboard — Tennessee sometimes posts time-sensitive information there.

Security and protecting your account

Never share your CONNECT password with anyone, including Tennessee Department of Labor staff. State employees will never ask for your password over the phone, by email, or by text. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Tennessee and asks for your password, it is a scam — hang up or delete the message and report it to the Tennessee Department of Labor at 1-833-TNHELP1.

Log out of CONNECT when you are done, especially if you are using a shared computer or a public device like a library computer. Click the "Log Out" button in the top right corner of the page. Do not just close the browser window, because that may leave your session active.

If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready. Go to connect.tn.gov, click "Forgot Password," and create a new password. Then log in and check your account for any changes to your contact information or payment method. If you see unauthorized changes, call 1-833-TNHELP1 right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone or tablet?

Yes. CONNECT works on mobile browsers, though the layout may be smaller. Go to connect.tn.gov in your phone's web browser and log in the same way you would on a computer. Some people find it easier to use a computer for filing weekly claims because the form is longer, but you can do everything on a phone if you need to.

What if I registered for CONNECT but never filed a claim?

Your account still exists and you can log in anytime. If you now want to file a claim, log in to CONNECT and look for a button or link that says "File a New Claim" or "Start a Claim." You will answer questions about your job loss, your work history, and your earnings. Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer ready.

Is there a phone number to call if I cannot log in?

Yes. Call the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development at 1-833-TNHELP1 (1-833-864-4357), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. Wait times are often long, so try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Can I have someone else log in to my CONNECT account for me?

No. Only you should log in to your account. If you need help understanding how to use CONNECT or what to do after you log in, you can call 1-833-TNHELP1 and ask a representative to walk you through it over the phone, but they cannot log in for you.

What if I think my identity was stolen and someone filed a claim in my name?

Call 1-833-TNHELP1 when ready and tell them you suspect fraud. Have your Social Security number ready. Tennessee will freeze your account and investigate. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and monitor your credit report for unauthorized accounts.