How Do I Apply?
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
How do I apply by phone?
To file your claim for unemployment insurance benefits by phone, use the TeleClaim Center.
TeleClaim Center telephone:
- Area codes 351, 413, 508, 774, and 978: 1-877-626-6800 (toll-free)
- All other area codes: 617-626-6800
- TTY/TTD: 1-888-527-1912
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
To use TeleClaim, you must enter your Social Security number and year of birth using the numbers on your telephone. You must call according to the following schedule based on the last digit of your Social Security number:
| Last digit of SSN |
Day to call |
| 0, 1, or 2 |
Monday |
| 3, 4, or 5 |
Tuesday |
| 6 or 7 |
Wednesday |
| 8 or 9 |
Thursday |
| any SSN |
Friday |
| any SSN |
Saturday |
Waiting times are shorter in the afternoon. If you can't get through on your scheduled day based on your SSN, try calling again on Friday or Saturday.
Languages: Instructions are given in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Portuguese.
Services:
- file a new claim for unemployment benefits
- reopen an existing claim
- check the status of your claim or benefit check
- speak to an agent about your claim
How do I apply in person?
To file your unemployment insurance claim in person, go to your local Unemployment Insurance (UI) Walk-In Center (part of the One-Stop Career Center). The Department of Workforce Development has an online list of Unemployment Insurance Walk-In Center locations:
Unemployment Insurance Walk-In Centers
The UI Center listing gives the name, address, walk-in hours, and orientation schedule for all Centers. It also gives links to the individual UI Center web sites, where you will find phone numbers, directions, and other information.
Hours: Vary by location
Unemployment Insurance Orientation: Vary by location
Services:
- file a new claim for unemployment benefits
- reopen an existing claim
- check the status of your claim or benefit check
- speak to an agent about your claim
- attend unemployment insurance orientation sessions
During an orientation session, you will learn about filing your claim and collecting benefits, health insurance, job search assistance, and applying for job training.
What documentation do I need?
When you apply for Massachusetts unemployment benefits, you will need:
- your Social Security number
- the year you were born
- your address and phone number
- your alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
- whether you have filed an unemployment claim in Massachusetts or another state in the past 12 months
- the names and addresses of all the employers you have worked for in the last 15 months and the dates you worked for them
- your last date of employment
- the reason you lost your job (or your hours were cut back)
- names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers of your dependent children, if you are claiming the dependency allowance
When should I apply?
-
If you lost your job, you should file your claim during your first full week of unemployment.
-
If your hours were cut back, you should file your claim during the first week when you work fewer hours.
If you file later than this, you may lose some of your benefits.
If I do not speak English, what should I do?
Some Walk-In Centers have interpreters who speak Spanish or other languages spoken in your community. In other cases, you should bring your own interpreter with you when you go to file your claim.
TeleClaim instructions are offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Portuguese.
Most DUA forms and publications are available in English, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. To get these publications, go to the Department of Workforce Development Multilingual Forms web page.
If you need help in another language, contact DUA Multilingual Services at 1-617-626-5471.
How does DUA decide if I am eligible?
During your interview, by phone or in person, the DUA representative will collect information about your claim. DUA needs to check:
- if you earned enough money during your base period to qualify
- if you lost your job through no fault of your own
- if you are able to work and willing to take a new job right away
- if there are any other issues affecting your eligibility
If you and your employer do not give the same reason why you lost your job, or if the reason was not a layoff, the DUA representative will also interview your employer.
How long does it take to find out if I am eligible?
DUA will let you know within 21 days if you are eligible for unemployment benefits. If there are no issues about your claim, it will take less time.
You can check the status of your claim by calling the TeleClaim Center toll-free at 1-877-626-6800 (area codes 351, 413, 508, 774, and 978) or 617-626-6800 (all other area codes).
Once I have applied, how long does it take to get benefits?
After you file your claim, you have to file reports with DUA on a regular basis to get your unemployment benefits. You may report to DUA by telephone, online, or by mail.
If you report by telephone or online, you will report at the end of each week you claim benefits, and will get your check on a weekly basis. If you report by mail, you will report at the end of every two-week period for which you claim benefits, and you will get a check within 10 days of the day you send your report to DUA. For more information about reporting, see How Do I Collect My Benefits?
What happens if DUA finds me not eligible?
If DUA finds you not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, they will send you a written "notice of disqualification." You have the right to appeal this decision.
To request a hearing, fill out the form at the bottom of your disqualification notice and mail it to DUA within 10 days. It is important that you mail the form in on time. If you mail it later than 10 days, you will get a hearing only if you can show good cause for not mailing the form in on time.
While you wait for your hearing, you should continue to report to DUA by sending in your certification cards or using TeleCert. (See How Do I Collect My Benefits?) This is important if you win your appeal. You will only get back benefits for the weeks you filed your reports.
At your hearing, you will be asked to prove that you qualify for benefits. You may have a lawyer or another person help you present your case. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you might be able to get free legal assistance.
If you lose your first appeal, you have the right to file other appeals. DUA will explain these rights to you.
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