Individuals FAQs - Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance is temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are either looking for another job, have a definite recall within 6 weeks of the last day worked, or are in approved training. The funding for unemployment insurance benefits comes from taxes paid by employers. Workers do not pay any of the costs.

Unemployment claims can be filed in person at any Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) career center or by Internet from any computer with appropriate Internet access. 

To file an unemployment claim via the Internet, you must have a valid email address. This email account should be your personal email address because private and confidential information about your claim will be sent to this email address. 

GDOL Career Centers

File an Unemployment Insurance Claim

When filing a claim, you should have:

ALL INDIVIDUALS: A copy of your valid government-issued picture identification and Employer Separation Notice, if you were given one. 

PRIOR MILITARY PERSONNEL: At least one of the following: most recent DD-214 Member 4, “orders to report”, “orders of release”, military earnings and leave statement, and/or W-2 form(s) from your most recent military service. 

PRIOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Standard Form 50, Standard Form 8, W-2 form, or pay stubs (if you worked for the federal government at any time during the last 18 months). 

UNION MEMBERS: Union card (if you are a member of a union that assists you in finding employment). 

DISASTER AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS: A copy of your most recently completed income tax return or quarterly estimated income tax payment record(s), if applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and you are self-employed or a farmer. 

NON-CITIZENS: A copy of the front and back of your Employment Authorization Document.

If you have earned Georgia wages in the past two years, you can file a Georgia Internet claim.

Information for individuals who cannot file a Georgia claim by Internet:
If you reside in Georgia but have not earned Georgia wages in the past two years, go to a Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) career center to obtain information for filing a claim against the proper state. We will also register you for employment services. 

GDOL Career Centers

JavaScript must be enabled and pop-up blockers should be set to allow pop-ups. 

The claim filing process contains PDFs that may need to be printed and Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required. A free software download is available. Please ensure this software is available prior to beginning the claim filing process 

Adobe web site

Georgia law requires that all applicants for UI benefits who are 18 years of age or older attest they are:

• a United States citizen, or
• a legal permanent resident, or
• a non-citizen legally present in the United States.

The GDOL performs electronic verification of your lawful presence in the United States with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The DDS validates the identity of individuals who indicate they have a Georgia-issued driver’s license or identification card.

If completion of the affidavit is required, you must present valid government-issued picture identification to a GDOL representative to complete the affidavit and have it notarized. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must also present acceptable, unexpired employment authorization document(s). The GDOL will verify your registration status with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. You cannot receive benefit payments until your lawful presence in the U.S. is verified.

Section 50-36-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) requires every applicant for public benefits, including unemployment insurance (UI), who is 18 years old or older, sign an affidavit attesting that they are (1) a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident or (2) a non-citizen legally present in the United States.

The GDOL will notify you if you are required to complete an Applicant Status Affidavit attesting to your lawful presence in the United States. If required to do so, you must execute this affidavit whether you file your claim via the Internet on the GDOL website or in a career center. The affidavit is a one-time requirement for U.S. citizens. However, each time a non-citizen files a claim for UI benefits, Employment Authorization Document(s) must be provided.

No. This is a one-time requirement, but non-citizen status documents must be presented each time an individual files for UI benefits.

Your claim is effective the Sunday prior to the claim filing date for claims filed on or after July 1, 2019. Claims filed before 7/1/19 are effective the date the claim is filed.

There are several qualification requirements, but these three are critical:

• You must have earned enough money in the base period to set up a claim.
• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own.
• You must be able to work, be available for work, and be actively seeking work each week you claim benefits.

The base period is the period of time we look at to determine if you have been paid enough wages to establish a claim. For Georgia, the base period is the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed at the time you file your claim. An alternative base period consisting of the most recently completed four calendar quarters will be used only when a claim cannot be established using the regular base period.

Your claim is based on insured wages earned in the base period, which is the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed at the time you file your claim. You must have earned qualifying wages in at least two of the four quarters in the base period. The total wages in the base period must equal or exceed one and one-half times the wages in the highest quarter. A secondary calculation will be made when the sole reason that a claim cannot be established is the one and one-half times requirement. An alternative base period consisting of the most recently completed four calendar quarters will be used only when a claim cannot be established using the regular base period.

The minimum weekly benefit is $55 and the maximum is $365. The amount an individual will receive is based on the amount of wages earned in the base period.

By law, the maximum number of weeks a claim can be established will range from 14 to 26, depending on the seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rate in use at the time the regular UI claim is filed. For claims filed from July 1 through December 31, Georgia’s seasonal adjusted UI rate for the previous April will be used. For claims filed from January 1 through June 30, Georgia’s seasonal adjusted UI rate for the previous October will be used. The minimum number of weeks payable is 6.

The date the claim is filed will determine this for you. The chart below provides the maximum number of weeks the claim can potentially be established based upon the unemployment rate in effect at the time the claim is filed.

Maximum Benefits Payable

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate less than or equal to 4.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 14
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 14 x Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) or 1/4 of Base Period Wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 4.5% up to 5.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 15
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 15 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 5.0% up to 5.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 16
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 16 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 5.5% up to 6.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 17
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 17 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 6.0% up to 6.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 18
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 18 x Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) or 1/4 of Base Period Wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 6.5% up to 7.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 19
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 19 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 7.0% up to 7.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 20
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 20 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 7.5% up to 8.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 21
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 21 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 8.0% up to 8.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 22
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 22 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 8.5% up to 9.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 23
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 23 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 9.0% up to 9.5%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 24
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 24 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate greater than 9.5% up to 10.0%

Maximum Number of Weeks: 25
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 25 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Seasonal Adjusted UI Rate 10.0% or above

Maximum Number of Weeks: 26
Maximum Benefits Payable will Equal the least of: 26 x WBA or 1/4 of Base Period wages

Georgia 2021 House Bill 1090 amended code section 34-9-193 of the Georgia Employment Security Law to expand the sliding scale from 14 to 26 weeks times the weekly benefit amount (WBA). The maximum number of weeks is based upon the adjusted statewide unemployment rate in use at the time the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim is filed. Effective March 27, 2022, the maximum benefits payable on regular UI is a range from 14 to 26 weeks based upon a designated average statewide unemployment rate published in April and October of each year.

No. The individual’s base period wages are used to determine the maximum benefits payable which may or may not qualify an individual for the maximum number of weeks. The maximum benefits payable to an individual in a benefit year is the least of the maximum number of weeks times the weekly benefit amount or one-fourth of the base period wages.

An Unemployment Benefit Determination is mailed to claimants when an initial claim is filed. The determination will provide the rate for your claim filing period. Please refer to the Maximum Benefits Payable chart. 

No. An unemployment claim will be established using the unemployment rate in effect at the time of filing the claim. The claim will not be recalculated if the unemployment rate changes during the life of the claim.

GDOL will review your application and make two determinations regarding your claim: 

• Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination (for initial claims only)
• Claims Examiner's Determination

You will receive separate determinations. The first, Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination, will tell you if you have enough insured wages to establish a valid benefit year claim. If you have enough insured wages to establish a valid claim, you will receive a second, Claims Examiner's Determination, informing you if benefits are approved or denied.

Just earning enough money to set up a claim is not enough to receive unemployment benefits. You must also meet other eligibility conditions. You must have a decision made on the reason for separation from your last work. If your most recent job loss was not the result of a lack of work (i.e. layoff, business closure), a decision on the reason for separation is required. A department employee may conduct a telephone interview with you and your former employer to get information about the reason for your separation or any other issues which might affect your claim. A written decision will be mailed to you, and to your employer if the issue is separation. Other requirements include, but are not limited to, being able to work, being available for work, and actively seeking work.

No. Once you have submitted your claim, a review of the information provided by you and your employer is conducted by GDOL. This process is to determine if the law requirements have or have not been met to allow and pay unemployment benefits, to include but is not limited to, a discharge or quit separation, receipt of severance/separation pay, inability to work, etc. A Claims Examiner's Determination will be mailed to advise if benefits can or cannot be paid. All written determinations provide 15-day appeal rights from the mailed date.

If you quit, you may be eligible to draw benefits if you can show that you quit for good work-connected reason(s). Examples of good work-connected reasons are material change in working conditions, material change in working agreement, nonpayment for work, and similar reasons. You will not be able to draw benefits if your reason for quitting was personal even though the personal reason was a good or compelling one. The only way to know for sure whether you are eligible if you quit is to file a claim. The department cannot make a predetermination of eligibility before a claim is filed.

If you were fired from your job, you will not be able to draw benefits if your former employer can show that you were fired for failure to follow rules, orders, or instructions, or for misconduct on the job. The only way to know for sure whether you are eligible if you are fired is to file a claim. The department cannot make a predetermination of eligibility before a claim is filed.

Yes. If you are awarded benefits based on your reason for separation from your last employer, you must meet other weekly requirements. You must be able to do some kind of work that is available in your area and that you are qualified to do. You must be available for work without placing undue restrictions on your availability, such as lack of child care, lack of transportation, or other restrictions. You must be actively seeking work each week and you must be looking for full-time employment. As a part of your weekly certification, you must submit three new verifiable job search contacts for each week of benefits claimed. You must not refuse any offer of suitable work or referral to suitable work without good cause.

You must be actively registered for Employment Services to receive UI benefits, unless exempt by law. This includes being available for screening and referral to employers who are currently offering employment. Georgia residents are required to register for Employment Services with our partners at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) through WorkSource Georgia. Interstate claimants must register for Employment Services with the State Workforce Agency (SWA) in the state where they reside.

Registration requires:

• the establishment of an account, which must include your social security number; and
• creation or uploading of a complete online résumé

 

You may call the TCSG call center at 404.982.7895 or email [email protected] for assistance with your WorkSource Georgia account. Please maintain your résumé to ensure your most current employment information is documented.

To register and get more information select Register for Employment Services under Online Services.

You must also respond to any notices to report for services. If you work and earn any money while you are drawing benefits, you must report all earnings for the week in which the money is earned, not for the week the money is paid. Any amount over $50 earned during a week ending on or after July 8, 2023 will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

The Claim Status Tracker is available on your MyUI and is designed to give you an update on your unemployment claim. You will be able to see if your claim was submitted, processed, an eligibility determination was released, and if an appeal has been filed. The Claim Status Tracker only displays details for claims confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current day.

Check My UI Claim Status

You may log into your MyUI Portal to view your status on the Claim Status Tracker by selecting Check My UI Claim Status.

Check My UI Claim Status

Individuals may visit their MyUI Portal to view claim and payment statuses. MyUI allows you to view claim and payment information as well as some correspondence. A Claim Status Tracker will display information about where you are in the claim process. The Claim Status Tracker only displays details for claims confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current day.

Check My UI Claim Status

Yes. Individuals may visit the MyUI Portal to view claim and payment statuses. MyUI allows you to view claim and payment information as well as certain correspondence. The Claim Status Tracker only displays for claims filed and confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current date.

Check My UI Claim Status

The Claim Status Tracker is updated nightly and will display current claim information.

The Claim Status Tracker will show if a claim was started within the last 5 calendar days and is pending submission or if a claim was successfully submitted. Incomplete claims are deleted after 5 days from the initial start date and time. A confirmation number is provided upon successful submission of a claim.

Check My UI Claim Status

There may be additional information needed in order to update the Claim Status Tracker from one status to the next. Review your claim status to see if anything is pending. If additional information is needed from you or the employer, you and/or the employer will be notified by phone, email or mail. Make sure your contact information is up to date in our system.

The Claim Status Tracker only displays details for an initial claim filed and started within the last 120 hours or confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current date.

The Claim Status Tracker on MyUI will only show initial claims started in the last 5 calendar days or submitted and confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current date. Incomplete claims are deleted after 5 days from the initial start date and time. A confirmation number will be provided once the claim is successfully submitted.

The Claim Status Tracker will not reflect employer-filed (partial) claims, federal CARES Act claims (PUA, PEUC or SEB) or appeals filed on monetary determinations.

When filing an unemployment claim online, you will receive two emails. The first email confirms the submission of your claim and the second email will be sent once your claim has been reviewed and processed. If you started a claim but did not receive a confirmation number, you will not receive the first email. Incomplete claims are deleted after 120 hours from the initial start date and time. The Claim Status Tracker will indicate where your claim is in the process.

The Claim Status Tracker on the MyUI Portal provides updates on claims filed and confirmed within 52 weeks prior to the current date. GDOL reviews claim information provided by the claimant and/or employer to determine if the law requirements have or have not been met to allow and pay unemployment benefits, to include but is not limited to, a discharge or quit separation, receipt of severance/separation pay, inability to work, etc. A Claims Examiner's Determination will be mailed to advise if benefits can or cannot be paid. The Eligibility Determination portion will display as yellow if all potential issues that may affect your eligibility have not been reviewed and resolved. If all potential issues have been resolved, the Eligibility Determination portion will be green. All written determinations provide 15-day appeal rights from the mailed date.

In order to be eligible to receive unemployment benefits, the law requires you engage in an active search for work and submit evidence of your weekly work search activities for each week you request payment. You will use your established password when submitting work search records online for each week of benefits requested.

Learn About Work Search Requirements

You are usually not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits during a period covered by severance pay paid to you by your employer. The only way to know for sure whether severance pay is disqualifying is to file a claim.

If you are receiving a retirement pension from a base period employer, the pension may be deductible from your weekly benefit amount if your employer contributed 50% or more toward the pension fund. If the pension payment is determined to be deductible, the department will reduce your weekly benefit amount dollar for dollar by the weekly amount of the pension that is attributable to the employer. NOTE: If your pension is from an employer you worked for before the base period, it is not deductible. The receipt of Social Security is also not deductible, although you do have to be available for full-time work.

If you are receiving Temporary Total or Temporary Partial Workers' Compensation payments, you are not eligible for unemployment insurance in Georgia. The only way to know for sure is to file a claim.

Once you file your claim, you will be required to certify your eligibility AND submit your work search activities for each week you request payments. You may request weekly payments using the online service, by telephone using the interactive voice response (IVR) system, or in person at a GDOL Career Center if you do not have access to a computer or telephone. When certifying online, you will be required to use the same password used when you filed your unemployment claim. The PIN will only be required when using the IVR system to request payments. 

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System
Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments
Learn About Work Search Requirements
GDOL Career Centers

Payments can be made by direct deposit or debit card. The preferred method is direct deposit into your personal checking or savings account. If you do not enroll in direct deposit, payments will be deposited to your Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® which works likes a standard debit card. Payments by paper checks are no longer issued.

UI Benefit Payment Methods

You can change or cancel direct deposit online. You will be required to verify your identity and provide your established password.

UI Benefit Payment Methods

You may change or reset your password/PIN using the Unemployment Claim Account Management application. 

Unemployment Claim Account Management

If you forgot your password/PIN or your password/PIN was suspended (locked out) after three unsuccessful login attempts, you can Create/Reset Password and PIN. You will be required to verify your identity.

NOTE: You cannot reset your password/PIN if it has been revoked due to concerns regarding your claim. 

Create/Forgot Password and/or PIN

Effective June 27, 2021, Georgia ended participation in the federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs enacted through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act: FPUC, PUA, PEUC and MEUC. This means the last payable week for these programs will be week ending June 26, 2021. All eligible payments under any of these federal programs for week ending dates on or before June 26, 2021 will continue to be processed and issued to qualified individuals. This applies to individuals whose eligibility is later determined and unemployment benefits are payable for weeks ending on or before June 26, 2021.

Effective June 27, 2021, Georgia ended participation in the federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs enacted through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act: FPUC, PUA, PEUC and MEUC. This means the last payable week for these programs will be week ending June 26, 2021. All eligible payments under any of these federal programs for week ending dates on or before June 26, 2021 will continue to be processed and issued to qualified individuals. This applies to individuals whose eligibility is later determined and unemployment benefits are payable for weeks ending on or before June 26, 2021.

Once you file your claim, you will be required to certify your eligibility for each week you request weekly PUA payments. You may claim PUA benefits online or in person at a GDOL Career Center. When certifying online, you will be required to use the password created for online unemployment claim services.  

Request Weekly PUA Payment

GDOL Career Centers

You must update your address with the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) immediately. You can update your address and contact information online or in person at your local career center.

This ensures you receive all correspondence from the GDOL regarding your unemployment benefits. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward any GDOL UI mail, even if you have completed a change of address with your post office.

If you have a pending appeal when your address changes, you must also notify the Appeals Tribunal by any of the following methods:

• Appeals Online
• Fax at 404-232-3684
• Appeals Email
• Mail:

Georgia Department of Labor
Appeals Tribunal
148 Andrew Young International Blvd., NE
Suite 525
Atlanta, Ga., 30303-1734

When updating your address online, you will be required to use the same password you used when you filed your unemployment claim.

Change of Address and Contact Information

The Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard®, operated by GoProgram® and issued by Comerica Bank, is one of two fast and reliable methods to receive unemployment benefit payments. The card is valid for three years. Individuals eligible to receive unemployment benefits during the three-year period will not receive a new card. One free replacement card may be issued each 12-month period for lost or stolen cards.

• Get benefits faster. Payments are posted directly to your debit card. No waiting for the check to arrive in the mail.
• Make purchases. Simply spend your money by presenting your debit card with a cash back option.
• Convenient. No personal bank account is required.
• Protection. Your card is protected by the PIN number you select.
• Secure. Your account is FDIC insured.

You will automatically receive the Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® if you do not enroll in direct deposit; no other action is required to receive a card.

You should immediately call UI Debit MasterCard® Customer Service at 1.888.929.2460 or visit the GoProgram® website to activate your debit card account. Be sure to check your card balance before using the card. Do not spend more than the amount of funds posted to your account. 

Go Program®

Receipt of the Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® does not guarantee that you meet unemployment eligibility criteria established by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).

Review the fee schedule below and thoroughly read the Terms of Use included in your card package to ensure you understand any transaction and service fees that may apply to your card. These fees can be avoided with careful use of your card. Many services are available free of charge when using or managing your account such as: deposit notifications, purchases wherever MasterCard® is accepted, cash back with purchases, unlimited MoneyPass ATM, and bank teller cash withdrawals. However, Fees may apply if you use an out-of-network ATM.

Fee Schedule

Fee Schedule Spanish

UI Debit MasterCard® - Comerica Card Terms of Use

UI Debit MasterCard® - Comerica Card Terms of Use (ajeta de Comerica Términos de uso)

No, the Georgia UI Way2Go MasterCard® can only be used to receive unemployment benefit payments.

If your Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® is lost or stolen, you must immediately notify UI Debit MasterCard Customer Service at 1.888.929.2460.

You are responsible for securing your Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® issued by Comerica Bank. Securing the card means that the card and the PIN are never kept together, the card is kept in a secure location, and the PIN is not known by anyone but you. If your card security is compromised, you must also change your unemployment insurance claim PIN immediately even if you are not currently filing weekly claims for benefits. If you fail to report the loss of the card and change the PIN immediately, or fail to secure the card, you will be liable for claims made and money removed from the card.

You should call UI Debit MasterCard® Customer Service at 1.888.929.2460 or visit the GoProgram® website for information about your debit card account.

Go Program®

All account disputes should be directed to the UI Debit MasterCard® Customer Service at 1.888.929.2460. You should contact UI Debit MasterCard® Customer Service as soon as you can if you think your transaction activity or receipt is wrong, or if you need more information about a transfer on the transaction activity or receipt.

You should contact your local career center to inquire about the amount of unemployment benefits credited to your Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard®.

You can enroll in direct deposit online. Your established password and verification of your identity will be required.

UI Benefit Payment Methods

Yes. Any unemployment insurance benefits you receive are fully taxable income if you are required to file a tax return. At the time you file your claim, you may elect to have the department withhold state and/or federal tax on the benefits you receive. You may change your tax withholding options online using your established password.

The department releases 1099-G forms at the end of January showing the amount of unemployment benefits you received during the previous year. It also shows the amount of taxes, if any, that were withheld. You should use this form when you file your income taxes to report benefits received and any taxes withheld by the department. Questions about filing should be directed to the IRS, to the State Department of Revenue, or to a tax consultant.

The department will release a determination on each separate issue on your claim. As a result, you may sometimes receive more than one determination. A decision imposing any kind of disqualification takes precedence over a decision allowing benefits. For example, you could receive a decision allowing benefits because you were laid off due to lack of work, but be ineligible because you do not have child care to enable you to look for another job.

The only way for a decision to be reviewed and potentially reversed is to file an appeal. You have the right to file an appeal of any decision made by the department on your claim. The appeal rights expire 15 days after the date the decision is released. The Commissioner of Labor does not have the authority to intervene in the appeals process. If the decision is on your separation from work, your employer also has the right to appeal. An administrative hearing officer will conduct the appeal.

An appeal request must be in writing and can be submitted online, by email, fax, or hand delivery. When submitting your appeal online, your established password is required. Go to File an Appeal to learn more.

Once an appeal is filed, it usually takes from 2 - 2 1/2 weeks for a hearing to take place. The department is required to send written notice of the hearing time, date, and all issues to be discussed. This notice must be mailed at least 10 days before the hearing takes place. A written decision is mailed to all interested parties.

Yes. The Claim Status Tracker will display yellow in the Appeal Filed section if an appeal to a determination on the current benefit year claim has been submitted by you or your employer. Once a hearing has been scheduled, the status will update to green. The details and information for the hearing will be mailed to the claimant and employer, if applicable.

Check My UI Claim Status

Yes. If you are successful on appeal, you will not get paid for any weeks for which you did not file.

The Claim Status Tracker will indicate if you or an employer has requested an appeal to a determination made on the current benefit year claim. You will see this update in the Appeal Filed section of the tracker. The claimant and employer, if applicable, will be notified once the appeal has been processed and scheduled for a hearing date.

You may appeal to the Board of Review. The Board is a three-member panel appointed by the Governor. The Board reviews the entire record of the hearing held by the administrative hearing officer and all other relevant materials. The Board does not hold in-person hearings and does not take new evidence or testimony. The Board reviews the case and either affirms, modifies, or reverses the decision of the hearing officer. The Board's written decision is mailed to all interested parties.

The appeal must be in writing and it should be sent directly to the Board of Review (the address is on the decision received from the Appeals Tribunal). If your appeal is sent to the career center, or appealed in person at the career center, processing will be delayed until it can be forwarded.

The Board's decision may be appealed to the Superior Court of the county in which the work was performed. A petition for review must be filed with the court. The department does not file these appeals. If the work on which the claim was based was performed out of state, the appeal of the decision of the Board of Review must be filed in Fulton County Superior Court.

If the Appeals Tribunal or the Board of Review reverses a determination that allowed benefits, you will be required to repay any benefits received.

If your request for a waiver of a non-fraud overpayment is denied by a written determination, you may file a timely appeal within 15 days of the determination mailed date. If it is past the deadline to file an appeal, you will need to show good cause for why you missed the deadline.

You may submit your appeal online at File an Appeal, email, or mail. When submitting your appeal online, your established password is required.

Georgia Department of Labor
Attn: UI Appeals Tribunal
148 Andrew Young International Blvd., NE
Suite 525
Atlanta, GA 30303-1734
Email: [email protected]

Employers are authorized to submit employer-filed claims for a week in which an otherwise full-time employee works less than full-time (less than 30 hours per week), due to lack of work only and earns an amount less than the employee’s established claim weekly benefit amount (WBA) plus the earnings allowance. Earnings over $50 per week for weeks ending on or after July 8, 2023 are deducted from your weekly payment dollar for dollar. Earnings over $150 per week for weeks ending before July 8, 2023 will be deducted from your weekly payment dollar for dollar.

If you have been advised by your employer of their intent to file or an employer-filed claim has already been filed on your behalf, you must set up an Employer-Filed Claim Profile and verify your identity using the applicable methods and services before payments can be made. Be sure to provide complete and accurate information to avoid unnecessary delays in receiving unemployment benefits if you are eligible. You will be required to create a password and PIN that ONLY you should know.

Individuals may now visit the MyUI Portal to view claim and payment statuses. MyUI allows you to view claim and payment information as well as some correspondence. An Employer-Filed (Partial) Claim Profile Status table will display on MyUI to show the status of your profile and ID.me verification as Complete or Incomplete.

The department will release a 1099-G form at the end of January for the prior calendar year showing the amount of benefits you received. It also shows the amount of taxes, if any, that were withheld. You should use this form when you file your income taxes to report benefits received and any taxes withheld by the department. Questions about filing should be directed to the IRS, to the State Department of Revenue, or to a tax consultant.

You may opt in to receive your 1099-G electronically. Use the established password. If there is a problem with your password, you may enter other personal identifying information from your most recent claim to obtain the 1099-G form. If you have any questions, contact the UI Customer Service.

IRS Form 1099-G for UI Payments