Georgia Unemployment Application

Georgia Unemployment

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Georgia Unemployment Claims Center: 877-709-8185

Visit a Georgia Career Center


Georgia unemployment insurance compensation offers financial assistance to workers who are unemployed due to no fault of their own. If you are eligible for unemployment in the state of Georgia, you can collect weekly benefits for up to 26 weeks. Employer taxes finance the Georgia unemployment insurance program, and not the employees themselves.

How to apply for Georgia unemployment benefits

You can apply for Georgia unemployment compensation online or at a local Career Center.

However, if you live in Georgia but haven’t earned wages in the state in the past two years, you must visit a GDOL Career Center to get information on filing a claim with the appropriate state.

MyUI Claimant Portal

The fastest and easiest way to apply for UI benefits is through the GDOL MyUI Claimant Portal.

Set up your MyUI Claimant Portal account by creating a password and personal identification number (PIN). This password will grant you access to MyUI and other Georgia online services. Never share your PIN or password with anyone.

Once you have logged in, simply click File a New Claim and follow the prompts.

Information needed to apply

When filing a claim, make sure to have:

  • Your Social Security number
  • A valid government-issued photo ID
  • An employer-issued separation notice or letter, if available
  • The names, addresses, and dates of employment for all your employers in the past 18 months
  • Personal banking account and routing number for direct deposit
  • Alien number and expiration date for non-citizens
  • SF-50 or SF-8 form and pay stubs if you had federal employment in the last two years
  • The most recent DD-214 for former military personnel

Verifying your identification

When processing your claim, you will be required to verify your identity. The GDOL uses ID.me to verify your identity. This helps protect your information online and prevents unemployment fraud.

You’ll be directed to verify your identity when you apply for unemployment benefits. Once you’re on the ID.me verification website, click on the “Verify with ID.me” button to begin the identity verification process. Continue following the instructions until your identity is verified. Be sure to use a valid email address for both ID.me and GDOL so you can receive important updates.

After you apply for benefits

Once you’ve submitted your application for unemployment insurance benefits, the following steps will take place:

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reviews and processes your application. If they need more information, they might contact you. You’ll receive an email after your claim has been processed, along with any additional instructions if needed. Keep an eye on your email for important updates from GDOL about your unemployment eligibility.

A notice of claim filing and a request for separation information will be sent to your most recent employer. GDOL reviews your claim for eligibility based on your reason for leaving your most recent job and your availability to accept suitable work. The GDOL will only contact you if they need more information. You must claim at least one week of benefits for GDOL to review your claim.

Determinations

You will receive two determinations based on Georgia UI eligibility requirements. The first one tells you if you have enough insured wages to establish a valid claim. If you do, you’ll receive a second determination that tells you whether your benefits are approved or denied.

Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination

You’ll receive an Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination in the mail, which tells you if you have enough insured wages to establish a claim. This notice doesn’t mean you’re approved for UI benefits, but it shows your potential weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you could receive benefits if they are allowed. You can use the Georgia unemployment calculator to estimate your weekly benefit amount ahead of time.

Your Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination will show:

  • Wages reported during the base period
  • Potential weekly benefit amount of your claim
  • Potential maximum number of weeks on your claim
  • Potential maximum benefit amount (MBA) that will be paid on your claim
  • Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at the time your claim is filed

Review the Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination carefully. If you think the wages on your determination letter are incorrect or incomplete (including wages earned in other states), you can request a reconsideration of your claim.

Currently, the minimum WBA is $55, and the maximum WBA is $365. You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks. Please note benefit extensions like Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) are no longer available.

Claims Examiner’s Determination

Next, a Claims Examiner’s Determination will be mailed to you, informing you if your benefits are approved or denied. If your benefit payments are approved, you can expect to receive a payment within 3 days. Please note that it takes about 21 days before you receive the Claims Examiner’s Determination.

Receiving payments

You must certify for benefits each week in order to get paid. When you file a weekly claim, you are asked to verify that you remain eligible for benefits and have fulfilled your work search requirements. You are also required to register with Employ Georgia and post your resume online.

After you’ve successfully filed your weekly unemployment claim, you’ll usually get a payment within 3 days. You can receive your benefit payments through direct deposit or a Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard.

Direct deposit is the preferred way to get benefits. You’ll need your bank’s routing number and bank account number to set it up.

Alternatively, your payments can be deposited onto a Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard. The card is valid for any UI claim you file within the next three years, so keep it safe.

If your benefits are denied

If your Georgia unemployment application is denied, you have the right to file an appeal. Submit your appeal within 15 days from the date on your claim determination letter.

The appeal process allows you to present additional information or address any discrepancies in your initial claim. Filing an appeal ensures that your case is reviewed fairly. Learn more about the appeals process.

  1. if i started having blackout seizures as a cook, and now jobs think i’m a health risk now can i file ,while still trying to look for a job, or Social security disability…??

    • You can be eligible if the work environment causes harm to personal well being. Before deciding on your employment, please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

    • The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.

  2. So I had to put my letter of resignation in on my job due to needing part time position which was denied. I was told they would change it and never did im in school full time so I needed part time position. Will this affect me from getting my wages

  3. Worked as live in caregiver in Decatur Georgia. I was terminated 21July2016. I’m sure the firing was in retaliation for filing Workers Compensation claim and also Georgia Department of Labor,Hour/Wage Div. Due to the injury I sustained back in March 2016, after contacting W/C and The business owner was not in compliance. The owner fired Me on 21July2016. Am I eligible to receive unemployment benefits? Thank You

    • Well, if you lost the job in cold blood which was not your fault, you can be eligible to claim and receive unemployment compensation.

      Make sure to keep supporting documents handy if there is a dispute raised by your employer.

  4. ok, I just got fired today, they did not gave a document about. Could still be eligible to apply today for unempploiment?

  5. My out of state employment contract in Maryland ended in December 2015. I reside in Georgia and I am still searching for employment in Georgia, I am eligible for unemployment in Georgia?? Or do I need to contact Maryland for unemployment benefits?? Any help or information is appreciated!

    • Contractual employees are generally not eligible. If you do qualify, please consider applying from the state where you last worked.

  6. My husband is 100% disabled from the US ARMY we have to move from Mane to GA for warmer weather. He can not take the cold anymore and can not work. I am a Teacher here in Maine but need to move with him so what do I do?

  7. My teaching contract was not renewed and my last day of work was May 29, 2015. However, my contract doesn’t end until August 30, 2015. When can I apply for unemployment?

  8. I was laid off from work on April 30th. I went to the unemployment office in Norcross GA.. currently closed. they stated to apply on line. which I did on May 1st. still haven’t received any calls or emails, it be 5days. please help me find a unemployment office where I can go to submit application in person to receive unemployment benefit’s. Phone no. & address.

    • Please be aware that you have already filed online and it must be registered. Instead of visiting them, please consider calling by phone which will save time.

  9. I was wanting to know if I could get unemployment due to having to leave my job to become a caregiver for my elderly mother.

  10. If I got fired from a job in a different state, can I still receive unemployment if I relocated to another state.

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