Where to log in and what you need

Tennessee's unemployment system is called CONNECT, and you log in through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce website. The login page is at connect.tn.gov. You will need your Social Security number and a password you created when you first registered — not a PIN, not a username, just those two pieces.

If you have never logged in before, you must create an account first. The registration link is on the same page as the login box. Registration takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a password of your choice. Tennessee does not text you a code or send you a temporary password — you set your own password during registration and use that same password every time you log in.

Once you are logged in, you can file a weekly claim, check the status of a pending claim, view payment history, and update your contact information. You cannot change your password from inside CONNECT; if you forget it, you use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page, which sends a reset link to the email address on file.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at connect.tn.gov using your Social Security number and the password you created during registration.
  • If you do not have an account yet, use the registration link on the login page and set up your own password — Tennessee does not assign one to you.
  • Weekly claims must be filed through CONNECT; you cannot file by phone or mail.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link and check the email address you registered with for a reset link.
  • CONNECT is available 24 hours a day, but the system performs maintenance on some nights and may be briefly unavailable.

What to do if you cannot remember your password

Click "Forgot Password" on the login page at connect.tn.gov. Tennessee will send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account. Check your email inbox and spam folder — the message usually arrives within a few minutes. Click the link in the email, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password.

The reset link is only good for a limited time. If the link has expired by the time you click it, go back to the login page and request a new one. If you do not receive an email at all, double-check that you are using the correct email address. If you registered with an email address you no longer have access to, contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce at 615-253-0942 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time) to update your email on file.

Filing your weekly claim after you log in

Once you are logged into CONNECT, you will see a dashboard. Look for the option to file a weekly claim — it is usually labeled "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Claim Filing." Click it, and you will answer questions about your work search activities, any earnings you had that week, and whether you worked any hours. Answer honestly; Tennessee cross-checks your answers against employer reports and wage records.

You must file your claim by the important date shown on your account. Most people have until Sunday at midnight of the week they are claiming for, but your important date may be different depending on when you first filed. Missing the important date means you lose that week's payment. File early in the week if you can, because the system sometimes slows down on Sundays.

After you submit your claim, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The system will also show you when you can expect payment — usually within 3 to 5 business days if there are no issues with your claim.

Checking your payment status and history

From the CONNECT dashboard, you can view your payment history by clicking on a section labeled "Payment History" or "View Payments." This shows you every payment Tennessee has sent you, the date it was sent, and the amount. If you set up direct deposit, the payment goes to your bank account. If you did not set up direct deposit, Tennessee sends you a debit card in the mail, and payments load onto that card.

If a payment is missing or late, log in and check the status of your claim first. Sometimes a claim is held for review, which delays payment. You can see the reason for the hold in CONNECT. If the hold is because Tennessee needs more information from you, there will be a message telling you what to send and where to send it. If you cannot find the reason in CONNECT, call 615-253-0942.

Updating your contact information and direct deposit

You can change your email address, phone number, and mailing address from inside CONNECT. Look for a section called "Account Settings" or "Profile." You can also set up or change your direct deposit information there — you will need your bank account number and routing number. Direct deposit is faster and safer than waiting for a debit card, so Tennessee recommends it.

If you change your email address, make sure you change it to one you check regularly. Tennessee sends important notices about your claim to that email, and missing a notice can affect your benefits. If you move, update your mailing address right away so you receive any mail Tennessee sends you about your account.

What to do if CONNECT is not working

CONNECT sometimes goes down for maintenance, usually late at night. If you cannot log in, wait a few hours and try again. If the system is down during the day or you see an error message, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again. Use a different browser if the first one does not work — sometimes an older browser version causes login problems.

If you still cannot log in and it is not a scheduled maintenance window, call the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce at 615-253-0942. They can tell you whether the system is down and help you troubleshoot login problems. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes. CONNECT works on phones and tablets as well as computers. Use the same login — your Social Security number and password — and you can file your weekly claim from anywhere. The mobile version is smaller but has all the same features as the desktop version.

What if I registered but never received a confirmation email?

Check your spam and junk folders first. If it is not there, your registration may not have gone through. Go back to connect.tn.gov and try registering again with the same Social Security number. If you get a message saying that Social Security number is already registered, call 615-253-0942 and ask them to help you recover your account.

Do I need to log in every week to file my claim?

Yes. You must log into CONNECT and file a new claim every week you want to receive a payment. Tennessee does not automatically file claims for you. If you miss a week, you do not get paid for that week, even if you were out of work.

Can I change my password from inside CONNECT?

No. To change your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page, even if you remember your current password. Tennessee will send a reset link to your email, and you can create a new password from there.

What if I never set up direct deposit — how do I get my money?

Tennessee mails you a debit card to the address on file. Payments load onto that card automatically. You can use it to withdraw cash at ATMs or spend it like a regular debit card. If you never received a card, call 615-253-0942 to confirm your mailing address is correct.