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Max. Weekly Benefit Amount
$717
Max. Weeks of Benefits
26
Current Jobless Rate
3.3%
Max Weekly Benefit Amount
$717
Max Weeks of benefits
26
Current Jobless rate
3.3%

Updated : March 24th, 2023

Minnesota Unemployment Benefits

The state of Minnesota offers Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and funded by employers in the form of UI taxes.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Minnesota

An applicant must meet monetary and job separation requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits in Minnesota.

Monetary Eligibility

To monetarily be eligible for Minnesota Unemployment Insurance, an applicant must earn minimum wages in his or her base period.

In Minnesota, the base period is the four recently completed calendar quarters or the first four of the most recently completed five quarters. If an applicant applies for benefits in the first month of a calendar quarter (i.e., January, April, July, October), his or her base period will be the first four of the most recently completed five quarters.

If the applicant applies in the second or third months of a calendar quarter (February, March, May, June, August, September, November, December), his or her base period will be the first four of the most recently completed five quarters.

Note– The Department will also look at the most recently completed four quarters and pick the period of time that has the highest wages.

Find out more about eligibility requirements

Job Separation

The applicant must have lost his or her job through no fault of his or her. He or she will not receive benefits if he or she was fired for misconduct, failed a drug test, and broke organizational policies and property. The applicant will also be eligible to receive benefits if he or she quit the job unless the quit falls into any of the following categories:

  • To accept better employment
  • Had a medical condition and was unable to work
  • The employment was unsuitable (considered only the applicant quits the job within 30 from the starting date of the employment)
  • The company had notified about the lay-off
  • Due to domestic abuse
  • Loss of child care and efforts were made to find new child care
  • To move out with his or her spouse

Eligibility requirements – overview


Maintaining Eligibility

The applicant should maintain his or her eligibility as long as he or she is unemployed and wants to receive the unemployment benefits in Minnesota. The eligibility can be maintained in the following ways:

  • Accepting a suitable job (part-time job or a seasonal job)
  • Actively looking for a suitable job
  • Being able to and available for work
  • Preparing and submitting resumes in response to job ads
  • Contacting employers to arrange for job interviews
  • Networking in the occupational field and industry
  • Maintaining contact with professional organizations
  • Meeting with a career counselor and taking interest and skills tests
  • Attending creative job-seeking skills classes, workshops, job clubs, or other related job search activities.
  • Searching jobs using Internet job banks, bulletin boards, and professional/trade publications.
  • Researching companies and exploring current labor market conditions
  • Attending a reemployment session conducted at the nearest CareerForce location

Note –

  1. If the applicant is a member of a referral union who is not allowed to seek employment on his or her own can meet the work search requirements by remaining in good standing with the union.
  2. If the applicant is accepted into a full-time reemployment assistance training program, he or she is not required to seek or accept work while he or she is attending school.

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Minnesota?

To receive UI benefits in Minnesota, the applicant must submit the following documents:

Online

The applicant can file for Minnesota unemployment benefits online at www.uimn.org 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

Telephone

The applicant can also file for benefits by telephone using the Applicant Self-Service System. At times, when the unemployment rate is high, there may be a surge in applications, and applicants would have to wait while applying for benefits by phone.

How To File Weekly Claims

Claimants should file weekly certifications for weeks he or she wishes to receive unemployment benefits. The claimant can request weekly payments online, Sunday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

The UI benefit amount depends on the base period wages. In Minnesota, the weekly benefit amount is about 50% of the claimant’s average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $762.

Benefits Calculator

Use the benefits calculator to determine the estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.

Unemployment Benefits Calculator
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Unemployment Benefits Calculator
State: Minnesota
Number of Dependents: 0

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Disclaimer: The estimates are good in faith and accuracy is not guaranteed. We are not liable for any loss and damages caused by using the tools on our website. This calculator is here to assist you in evaluating what you might obtain if you are entitled to receive benefits. We make no promises that the sum you receive will be equal to what the calculator illustrates.

Know more about the Benefits Calculator


Things To Know After Filing An Application

A claimant must know a few aspects after filing for Minnesota Unemployment Insurance.

Overpayments

Sometimes, the claimant may receive unemployment overpayment. The overpayment could be due to:

  • An audit of the applicant’s account
  • A job separation issue
  • Correction of base period wages
  • Failure to accurately report earnings during the benefit year
  • An appeal decision finds that the applicant is ineligible for benefits that he or she has already been paid
  • Intentional misrepresentation or failure to disclose the requested information

Overpayment Through Fraud

If an applicant receives overpayment due to wilful misrepresentation or false statements, he or she will have to pay a penalty of 40% of the total amount overpaid. In some cases, an extra administrative penalty of ineligibility of up to 104 weeks may be assessed.

Benefits Extension

Normally, the state offers benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. But if the state’s unemployment is too high, it may provide benefits for additional weeks. Visit the Department to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

The state offers reemployment assistance training programs to those who need the training to get reemployed. The programs help people who are unemployed due to: competition from foreign imports, outdated skills, and occupation in decline, or an inability to work in their usual occupation.
Job seekers can choose the training programs according to their needs. However, if a job seeker is unable to decide on a suitable training program, a reemployment assistance representative or dislocated worker counselor may recommend a program that he or she needs to become reemployed.
Dislocated worker counselors will consider several factors when determining a suitable training program. They include:

  • Current labor market conditions
  • Current skills, work experience, physical capabilities, past training, and level of education
  • Description of the training program (duration, curriculum, academic/vocational nature of the training, etc.)

Know more job training opportunities in MN

Minnesota Phone Numbers

Find the below-listed phone numbers of unemployment offices in Minnesota:

Minnesota Unemployment Office Numbers

UI Customer Service (402) 458-2500
Twin Cities area 651-296-3644
Outside of the Twin Cities area1-877-898-9090 (toll-free)
Appeals Office- 651-296-3745
Unemployment fraud hotline - 651-296-8715
TDD (UI Customer Service)1-866-814-1252 (toll-free)

Locate your nearest unemployment office



Frequently Asked Question

Q. Can I qualify for UI benefits if I refuse to take a job?
You must accept a suitable job to qualify for UI benefits, unless the job offered doesn’t match your previous experience, skills, and wages. If you refuse a job without a valid reason, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits.
Q. How can I do it if my claim is rejected?
You can file an unemployment appeal if your claim is rejected. You can file an appeal to the following address: Lower Appeals Division
1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 505
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: 410-767-2421
Fax: 410-225-9781
E-mail: UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov
A hearing will be scheduled when you appeal during which the Hearing Examiner will review your proof and make a decision. If you disagree with the decision, you may appeal with the Board of appeal.
Q. When will I receive a debit card?
You will receive a "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Bank of America Debit Card," if your benefit payments are approved. Under normal circumstances, you will receive your debit card within 10 days business days following the date you received the mail.

Questions & Answers

  1. An employee at our golf club leaves to winter in Arizona every October. We have hours available but not as many as during the golf season, but they aren’t available. They have filed for unemployment, as a business do we have a right to “fight” this?

    • Hi, J.J. – if this employee has lost a job for any reason other than a layoff, the Minnesota unemployment office will ask them about the circumstances of their losing work. They will also ask you the same questions and you’ll have the opportunity to present your perspective. They will then review your answers and the employee’s answers to determine if they are eligible for benefits. You will receive a determination that tells you if the employee is eligible for benefits. Either you or the employee may appeal the determination at that point. It’s hard to say what the outcome would be without knowing the particulars, but you can rest assured that the process allows for you to share your perspective and to appeal a decision.

  2. My son did not let his employer know he has a disability of Aspergers. He was fired for not showing up on time, but was there for every shift. He thought because he was there every shift he didn’t realize it was a problem. He is currently being denied because he was late and was working the wrong shift. Any chance he could fight and win his unemployment benefits?

    • Stacy,

      Generally, UI benefits are only extended to claimants who lose employment due to no fault of their own. If you think he was denied wrongfully, please keep supporting documents handy and consider filing an “Appeal”.

  3. I left a warehouse job in May to go to an office job. A few weeks into this new job an unforeseeable event involving the owners occurred and now the company is being dissolved. I will be out of a job as of August 22. I have only been at this new job for a few months, but there was no gap between this job and my last. Can I still qualify? Also I would prefer to find another job similar to this one and not a labor/warehouse job like I have had before. Will I be penalized for refusing labor jobs and focusing on another office job?

    • Chase,

      Please go ahead and consider applying as long you have the monetary eligibility. Please use the “Benefits Calculator” available on this website for more. Also, you will be required to accept suitable job offers. For more, please call the Unemployment Office.

  4. Hi,

    I work for a construction company based in Minnesota and my employer laid me off due to lack of work in April. My employer has now contacted me about returning to work however, the job the company is working on is in Michigan and I do not want to travel. So I am wondering if I refuse to travel to Michigan can I still draw my unemployment benefits.

    • Howard,

      You don’t have to necessarily accept the employment offer in a different state. Before making a decision, make sure to call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  5. Why is the new Mn unemployment page so difficult to navigate? What genius tried to make a simple process so confusing I can never find the applicant login page to claim benefits with out surfing for 5 minutes

    • Dean,

      I can understand your concern. Why don’t you write an email to the authorities? Perhaps, your feedback can help the website administrator improve the User Experience.

  6. I live in Florida and work from home (telecommute) for a company based out of Minnesota. From which state do I apply for unemployment benefits?

    • John,

      Firstly, please check if your state remits Unemployment Taxes on behalf of you. If ‘Yes’, you can be eligible to claim from the state where they pay.

  7. Perhaps there would be more assistance for those that really need it if Minnesota would get its act together. They get extra buses from Chicago every month to ship people over to collect welfare benefits that don’t even work here. So they collect in Chicago and MN and make more than average middle class. What is wrong with this picture Governor Walsh. Fix welfare. Should have to be a resident and a LEGAL citizen. So those of us that are citizens and lost our jobs, can’t get extension, but we give money away to illegal aliens or people out of state. Tired of it. Speak up people.

    • mu husband is a seasonal employee for the army corp of engineers. he is also retired from the navy ad receives a navy retirement and disability will he still be eligible for Minnesota unemployment during his seasonal time off (the winter).

      • Yvette,

        Seasonal workers do not generally qualify to claim UI benefits due to the nature of work. Please ask your husband to call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  8. I have work at my current company for 9 months the hours have dropped drastically can I collect un-employement for days not worked.

  9. My husband was employed with another company for 9 years and recently left for what he thought was a better opportunity. He has been with the new company for 5 weeks and they lost a big account and now his new job may be eliminated. Would he be eligible for unemployment benefits?

    • Rhonda,

      Your husband may not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons. Please get in touch with the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  10. I submitted my resignation with a four week notice a couple days ago. I was told by my company today that they are accepting my resignation early. Therefore, I am no longer employed. I am actively looking for another position and do not anticipate it will be too difficult to find one; however, in the meantime, I am concerned about my finances and am wondering if I am eligible for unemployment?

  11. Hello,
    If my position is eliminated and I’ve been offered a different position at the same company that I’m not interested in taking. Will I be eligible for unemployment?

    • Tammy,

      If you refuse, you may not qualify to receive UI benefits. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification before making a decision.

  12. I was just terminated today. My salary & benefits will continue through 11-30-17. Can I draw unemployment, I was so upset & didn’t even think of severance pay, what am I entitled to?

    • Barb,

      If you were asked to leave the job due to voluntary reasons such as performance issues, you may not qualify. Else, please consider applying for UI benefits until you find a new job.

  13. If I take a Temporary position with a company (not a temp agency) would I be eligible for unemployment benefits once/if the job ends.

    • Liz,

      Temporary/Contract jobs are generally not eligible. Please check with your employer or call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  14. My wife’s position is being eliminated. she is being offered a demotion with more 25% pay cut. can she refuse and get unemployment?

    • Chuck,

      If she quits voluntarily, it may go against her. Please check with the Unemployment Office to ascertain eligibility before making a decision.

  15. If you get laid of in July 2017 and collect until the end of 2017 do you get another 26 weeks of unemployment in 2018?

    • As far as I am aware, UI benefits are not revolving in nature. They are just a one-time transaction.

      Please call the Unemployment Office.

  16. My spouse has COPD and is on oxygen go last 15 years; his health condition has deteriorated and in need is someone to be with him at all time. I am considering quitting my job to care for him full time as he stayed home alone while I am at work and lately I been taking time off just to be home as his heart rate and breathing get out of control all the time. Can I apply for UI if I quit? What proof do I need?

    • Unfortunately, personal reasons are not considered. UI benefits are only offered to those who lose their job due to involuntary reasons.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for more information.

  17. I have worked at a company for 25 years and now my boss has retired so we have a new regime…..they are harassing me saying I am making gossip and have been accused of smelling of alcohol and it was from the night before..I am doing a great job but keep getting harassed….They want me to take some sort of treatment classes to stay….do I have to?

    • Well, I suggest that you reach out to the Labor Authorities for help. If you’re being harassed, you can quit and claim UI benefits until you find another job.

  18. My office is closing and I will be filing for unemployment. My last week hours are substantially reduced, can that be considered my waiting week?

    • Waiting week only comes into effect after you file for benefits without a job.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further details.

  19. my employer has eliminated my position and there is no other positions of interest to me, however they have offered me a seasonal leave of absence till June 30th. do I have to take the seasonal leave in order to receive unemployment?

    • We are not sure of this situation.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for precise information.

  20. If I accept a severance package that states “voluntary resignation”, am I still eligible to receive unemployment once that runs out?

    • Well, if it says voluntary, I doubt your eligibility.

      Please call the Labor authorities in your state for further information.

    • You can be eligible as long as the reason for separation from the job is involuntary and you’re able to meet other conditions.

  21. I am working part time as a care giver. I have any kind of artheritas which includes rhumetoid. When I was in Las Vegas at Christmas, I found that I felt so much better. The warm dry air really helped. Long story short, if I am relocating for health reasons can I get unemployment?

    • You will not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.

  22. Im thinking about relocating to the South from MN. Can I obtain unemployment benefits through the state of Minnesota if I voluntarily quit my job and move to another state?
    Thanks

    • 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.

  23. I am employed, my employer has directed me to work overtime. I am attending school and cannot work more than 40 hours per week. My employer has stated the overtime is mandatory and anybody that fails to comply is subject to termination. Is this type of termination considered a lay-off and eligible for unemployment benefits?

  24. I worked in Minnesota July 22 till Dec 10. I am living in Tennesee. Had a short term job here and grossed 80,000 dollars. Can I go home and fill for Mn. Unemployment and by what date do I file. Please.

  25. I was displaced from my job in March 2015. I am going back to school to learn a new trade and new skills for a different career path. If I am attending a technical school full time, am I eligible to draw unemployment? If so, who should I contact?

    • Full time schooling and any course that stops you from taking up a job is not considered.

      Please check with the unemployment office in your state.

  26. My unemployment benefits run out June 8, 2014 will I be eligible for additional benefit, as of June 8, 2014 I will have only drawn 27 weeks of benefit

  27. I was laid off on December 20th and will be getting 14 weeks of severance pay. When should I file for unemployment?

  28. Hello I was wondering if I had to call every week to get my unemployment or is it automatically put in my checking?

  29. Can i use wages in Canada along with my wages in Minnesota and other states
    to file a claim in the state of Minnesota

    • You can file a claim in a state where you had a job before getting dismissed. Your wages in Canada might not be considered.

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