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Max. Weekly Benefit Amount
$235
Max. Weeks of Benefits
26
Current Jobless Rate
5%
Max Weekly Benefit Amount
$235
Max Weeks of benefits
26
Current Jobless rate
5%

Updated : November 4th, 2022

Mississippi Unemployment Benefits

Unemployed Mississippians can receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, provided they have lost their job through no fault of their own. On this page, we have listed eligibility requirements and much more information about unemployment benefits in Mississippi.

Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) provides unemployment benefits only if you meet monetary and job separation requirements.

Monetary Eligibility

You can be monetary eligible for unemployment benefits if you:

  • Have earned at least $780 in the highest quarter of your base period
  • Have earned 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) in your base period

In Mississippi, the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the starting date of the claim.

Find out more about eligibility requirements

Job Separation

You will be disqualified from receiving benefits if you lost your job due to any of the following reasons:

  • You quit your job without good cause under the law
  • You failed to apply for or accept a suitable job
  • You were fired for misconduct
  • You were fired for failing a drug and alcohol test
  • You are unemployed due to a labor dispute
  • You are receiving or seeking UI benefits from another state

Eligibility requirements – overview


Maintaining Eligibility

You should meet your eligibility requirements as long as you are unemployed and wish to collect Mississippi unemployment benefits. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:

  • Be available for work
  • Be able to take up a work
  • Look for a full-time job
  • Register for work at the WIN Job Center in your area
  • Record your work search activities

Find out on job search requirements

How To Apply For UI Benefits In Mississippi?

You must submit the following documents to apply for UI benefits in Mississippi:

You can file for unemployment benefits online or by phone.

Online

Online is one of the fastest and safest ways to apply for unemployment benefits. You can file for Montana benefits online at https://mdes.ms.gov/information-center/about-mdes/online-services/. If you do not have access to the internet or computer at your home, you can use the computers at the WIN Job Centers or public libraries.

Telephone:

Alternatively, you can apply for unemployment benefits by calling 601-855-3133 or 1-888-844-3577.

How To File Weekly Claims?

You can file weekly certifications online. A week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. You must file the weekly claim after the week has ended but before the next week begins. For instance, if you are filing for week-ending July 9, 2014, you must file a weekly claim before 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2014.
Note that you will not receive benefits for the week you failed to file a claim.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits

UI Benefits Amount

Your benefit amount will depend on your earnings in the base period. In Mississippi, the Maximum Benefit Amount you will receive during your benefit year is 26 times your Weekly Benefit Amount or 1/3 of your total base period wages, whichever is the lesser. In Mississippi, the maximum benefit amount you can receive is $235, and the minimum is $30.

Benefits Calculator

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

Unemployment Benefits Calculator
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Unemployment Benefits Calculator
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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

There are several aspects that you must know after filing for unemployment benefits.

Overpayments

Sometimes you may receive unemployment overpayment due to administrative errors, reversal of previous unemployment decisions, failure to report earnings, false statements, etc. If you receive an overpayment, the Department will send you an overpayment notice that includes repaying instructions.
If you fail to repay the overpayment, the Department will issue a collection warrant/lien. The Department may also put your federal and state income tax refund, and future unemployment benefits on hold.

Overpayment Through Fraud

If you receive overpayment due to failure to report earnings or false statements, the Department will disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits and may seek criminal prosecution. You may also be fined a maximum of $500 and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Benefits Extension

Normally, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in the state. In case of a high unemployment rate, MDES may provide benefits for additional weeks. Visit MDES to know more about the extended benefits.

Job Training Assistance

MDES, through contracts with the state’s workforce areas, offers job training to those who are unemployed. The Department also provides several tools to ease the job search process. Some of the job search tools include:

  • WIN Job Centers
  • Governor’s Job Fair Network
  • MSWorks Mobile App on AppStore
  • MSWorks Mobile App on GooglePlay
  • MDES Online Employment Services

In addition, the Department has also listed job searching resources to help you gather the necessary information in your specialized area. They include:

  • Job Hunting Tips
  • e-WIN Access Points
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Federal Bonding Program
  • Services for People with Disabilities
  • Other States’ Workforce Sites
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Know more job training opportunities in MS

Mississippi Phone Numbers

Find the below-listed fax and phone numbers of unemployment offices in Mississippi:

Mississippi Unemployment Office Numbers

MDES Contact Center 601-493-9427
TTD 800-582-2233
Unemployment appeals (877) 994-6329 (fax)
Unemployment fraud hotline 601-493-9427

Locate your nearest unemployment office



Frequently Asked Question

Q. How long will it take to get my first benefit payment?
You can expect to receive your first payment after you have filed your second weekly certification as the first week is a waiting period. However, your payment may be delayed if there is any issue with your eligibility or you haven’t submitted necessary documents.
Q. Can child support be deducted from my unemployment benefits?
Yes. The amount deducted from your benefit amount will be determined by the Department of Human Services. If you have any queries or disagree with the amount of child support deducted, contact the Department of Human Services.
Q. What is an eligibility review?
Once a while, you will be scheduled to report for an eligibility review. At this time, you will be required to submit details on at least three places where you looked for work. Your claim may be affected if you fail to provide the details.

Questions & Answers

  1. I am permanently disabled and had to retire from Federal Employment after 15 years, due to an on the job injury (2012). I paid into the system and never drew any unemployment monies. The doctors at that time loaded me up with pain killers and I am now getting out of the haze. After paying unemployment all those years, am I entitled to any compensation at this time? Been thinking about trying to go back to work again, I hate doing nothing. Also, I finished all of my classwork on a PhD at the University of Southern Mississippi, but had to withdraw due to the heavy dose of opiates the doctors put me on at the time. Perhaps there is a councilor that I could speak with. Now that I’m waking up, it is simply unacceptable for me to simply give up and quit. Need some advice. Thanks

    • Steve,

      To begin with, I suggest you call the Unemployment Office and explain your situation in detail. Unemployment Insurance benefits are only extended to claimants who lose their employment due to involuntary reasons. Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health issues are not considered.

  2. If my daughter is unwilling to sign a one year contract saying she is willing to relocate out of state will she lose her benefits?

    • Lori,

      I suggest you ask your daughter to contact the Unemployment Office in your state to check the eligibility since each state has its own rules.

    • Troy,

      Seasonal employment does not generally qualify due to the nature of work. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  3. have unemployment ins. issued 10\17\2017 took temp job from 12\18\2017 to 1\08\2018. didn’t do search file on website.was released cause i missed to
    many days to illness.will i still qualify reunemployment ins.

  4. I retired at 62 with social security i have worked the last 2 and 1/2 years am i qualified to draw unemployment? my employer paid unemployment insurance in also.

    • Please call the claims center/customer service of the labor dept. in your state for further information.

    • Please call the claims center/customer service of the labor dept. in your state for further information or check online.

  5. I’ve been employed in Mississippi for almost 2 years. I am a retired Marine and receive 40% disability rating for my back and shoulders. My pain has increased so much in the past year that I am in the process of being evaluated by the VA for an increase. My current job requires me to sit or stand in one place for most of the day which causes severe pain in my back. It also includes lifting heavy objects. I recently put in my 2 weeks notice because the pain has become unbearable on a daily basis and I cannot continue to suffer anymore. My question is will Mississippi allow me to draw unemployment until I can find a job thatt will better fit my situation. Thanks.

  6. If we are offering someone over 20 hours a week to work and they refuse it are they eligible to get unemployments benefits on us?

  7. I worked in 3 states beginning in July 2011 until the 17th of November of 2012. I started working in Jackson Mississippi in June of 2012. I have layed off from work due to lack of work. Will I draw unemployment from Mississippi or one of the states that I worked in before?

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