The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are either looking for another job, have a definite recall to their jobs 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 costs. Eligibility for benefits is determined based on past wages, reason for job separation, and availability and job search requirements. See Unemployment Eligibility for more information on the eligibility requirements for Unemployment Benefits. Claims are effective on the date they are filed and are not retroactive to the last day worked. 

See the Individuals Unemployment Insurance FAQs for information on the minimum and maximum number of weeks a state unemployment claim can be established.

  • Before you apply

    Your first step is to submit an initial claim in order for the GDOL to determine if your circumstances meet the eligibility requirements of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Filing a claim is the only way for eligibility to be determined.

    In order to become eligible and remain eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, you must:

    1. Have lost your job through no fault of your own.
    2. Report any income earned during a claim week.
    3. Continue to actively search for work.
    4. Be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work during a claim week.
    5. Accept any suitable offer of work you receive. 

    Unemployment Insurance is a temporary program to ease the gap between unemployment and reemployment. It is not meant to replace earnings from a job. If you receive a job referral from our agency you must contact the employer, and you must accept any suitable offer of work. If you do not, you may disqualify yourself from UI and your benefits will be turned off.

  • What to have ready before you apply

    • Your Social Security number.
    • Georgia Driver's License, if applicable.
    • Your work history for the past 18 months including:
      • Employers’ business names,
      • Employers’ addresses,
      • Employers’ phone numbers and
      • Your salary for each employer
    • Your bank's routing number and your account number, if you want to receive your benefit payments via direct deposit.
    • If you are not a U.S. citizen, your alien registration number and documentation.
    • If you served in the military in the past 18 months, DD-214 Form (Member 4 copy).
    • If you are a federal civilian employee, SF-50 (PDF) or SF-8 (PDF) Form.
    • If you are filing from out-of-state, see “how to file an out of state claim”.
      • Remember: You apply for Unemployment Insurance where your employer resides or where wages are earned and NOT where you have residence

  • Read the Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook

    Download and read the Download this pdf file. Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook .

  • Register for employment services and EmployGeorgia

    Individuals requesting unemployment benefits must register for employment services in their state of residence to avoid interruption, delay or denial of benefits, if found to be eligible.

    If you are permanently separated from your job, register for Employment Services at EmployGeorgia.com by creating a Job Seeker account.

    • Be sure to include your social security number to link your Employ Georgia account to your UI claim.
    • Make sure your résumé is in the "COMPLETE" status and searchable by employers.
    • You are strongly encouraged to utilize Employ Georgia in your job search efforts.

  • Apply for Unemployment Benefits

    Before applying, you can watch the video Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

    Apply for Unemployment Benefits by selecting File a Claim to start a new claim.

    Verify Affidavit to Verify Lawful Presence in the U.S. is completed, if required.

  • Claim Weekly UI Benefit Payments

    Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments on your My UI Customer Portal or by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System at 1.866.598.4164. You must claim at least one week of benefits for a decision to be made on your claim. You must report gross wages earned for each week claimed for benefits. Failure to report income could result in your having to repay any overpayment benefits.

  • Be able and available for work

    Be physically able to perform some type of work (even if it is not your regular field of work).

    Be available to work and have no unreasonable restrictions that keep you from working.

  • Actively seek work

    Effective June 27, 2021, be actively looking for suitable work. You must make a good faith effort to find another job by performing new verifiable work search activities 3 or more days for each week you request payments to include, but is not limited to, developing a work search plan, applying for jobs, interviewing, attending job fairs, developing résumés, and more. Learn more about work search requirements.

    Effective weeks ending on or after July 3, 2021, maintain a Weekly Work Search Record, DOL-2798, of your work search activities and submit them to the GDOL either online or by fax (see form for details) immediately after you submit your weekly request for payment.

  • Respond to all requests for additional information

    Respond immediately to all requests for additional information. It is critical you respond timely as directed by GDOL to avoid delay or denial of benefits.

  • Check claim status in My UI Customer Portal

    You can see the status of your claim in your My UI Customer Portal on the Claim Tracker.

    Employers must be notified when an unemployment claim is filed and indicates a separation from employment. When a reason for separation is other than lack of work, such as, discharge, quit, leave of absence or other non-separation issues are detected, such as receipt of severance pay, retirement pension, unable or unavailable to work, a benefit eligibility review must be conducted to review the details of the separation/non separation as provided by both you and your most recently separated employer. You may be contacted to provide additional information.

    Normally, this process takes approximately 21 days from the date the claim is filed to the date an eligibility determination is released and payments, if found to be eligible. However, due to the extremely high volume of claims requiring a benefit eligibility review, this process is delayed. Claims are scheduled for review in the order of receipt. Your separation will only be reviewed if you have sufficient wages to establish a valid regular state claim with a weekly benefit amount of $44 to $365 based on your insured wages for the last 18 months. The wages available and used to calculate your weekly entitlement will reflect on your Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination. Once the separation is reviewed, a Claims Examiner's Determination is mailed to you informing you if benefits are allowed or denied. If benefits are allowed, payments will be released within 24-48 hours of the Claims Examiner's Determination being mailed to you.