Unemployment Information
The Unemployment
Insurance Division site of Iowa Workforce Development provides
information about services to businesses, workers and the citizens of
Iowa.
Unemployment Insurance
Requirements
for Unemployment Benefits
-
Be totally or partially
unemployed;
-
Have worked and earned a
certain amount of wages in work covered by unemployment insurance
in the last 15 to 18 months;
-
Have lost your job through no
fault of your own; and
-
Be able and available for work
if offered to you.
In some cases, you must also be
registered for work at your local Workforce Development Center and be
actively seeking work.
Filing Your Claim
There are several ways to file a claim
for unemployment insurance benefits:
1. You may file
an Unemployment Insurance claim online.
2. You may go to your
local Workforce
Development Center. Staff there will assist you in the completion of
the paperwork necessary to submit your claim.
3. You may receive assistance at your local
office to self-file your own claim into the system.
Information Required For Filing
No matter which way you choose to file your
unemployment insurance claim, you will need the following information:
-
Your Social Security number;
-
The name of your last employer;
-
The address of your last employer;
-
The start and end dates of your last job;
-
Whether or not you will receive vacation pay,
severance, etc.; and
-
If you are leaving military service, you will
need a copy of your DD 214.
In all cases, you will receive a booklet called “Facts
About Unemployment Insurance.” This booklet is full of
information about Unemployment Insurance benefits, eligibility
requirements, and how to report your weekly claim.
Reporting
Most Iowans can receive
Unemployment Insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks, and in some cases
39 weeks. After you provide the initial information needed to confirm
your eligibility, you will be asked to provide additional information
to continue to receive payments.
Each week you will be asked to
certify that you:
-
Are unemployed or working only
reduced hours;
-
Are able and available for
work;
-
Have not refused any job offers
or referrals;
-
Are actively looking for work
(unless waived);
-
Are reporting any pay or
pension you may be receiving.
As always, your mandatory weekly
reporting on your unemployment can be accomplished by calling:
-
Outside of the Des Moines local calling area
(800)
850-5627, or
-
Within the Des Moines local calling
area 281-6231.
A computer Voice Response Unit will
answer and a prerecorded message will ask you the eligibility
questions one at a time.
