Wisconsin Unemployment Weekly Claims

Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

In order to maintain your eligibility for the Wisconsin unemployment insurance program, all claimants must submit a weekly claim for every week they wish to receive compensation.

Weekly claims maintain unemployment eligibility

After you submit your initial claim for UI benefits, you will need to file a weekly claim to confirm that you are still unemployed. Your weekly unemployment claim will ask you to report any income you earned during the week, and provide information about your efforts to find a new full-time job.

You can start submitting your weekly claim certification on the Sunday following the submission of your initial application. It’s important to submit your certification by 3:00 pm on the Saturday that is 14 days after the end of the week for which you are claiming benefits. This ensures that your claim is processed on time and helps you continue receiving the benefits you are eligible for.

When submitting your weekly claim for Wisconsin unemployment benefits, you will be asked questions like:

  • Were you available to work full time?
  • Did you perform any work? If so,
    • Which employers did you work for?
    • How many hours did you work?
    • What was your gross income?
  • Did you perform at least four work search actions?
  • What work search actions did you perform? You will need to include information such as:
    • Date of action
    • Work search action
    • Business name
    • Name and title of person contacted
    • Method of contact
    • Contact information (address, phone number, email, website)
    • Result of contact

Before submitting your information, it’s important to carefully review all the details to ensure accuracy. Providing false information or withholding any relevant details in order to receive benefits is considered unemployment fraud in Wisconsin.

Even if you are in the process of appealing a determination, it’s necessary to continue filing your weekly claims. Failure to do so may lead to a delay or denial of your unemployment insurance benefits for each week that you didn’t file. Filing your claims regularly ensures that you stay on track and receive the benefits you are eligible for.

How to file weekly claims online

The best way to file your weekly claim is by using the online claimant portal. To do so, you will need to:

  • Visit unemployment.wisconsin.gov
  • Log in using the username and password you created when you initially filed
  • Click “My UI Summary”
  • Click “File My Weekly Certification”
  • Answer the questions on the screen
  • Review your answers carefully
  • Click “Submit”

You will need to submit your weekly claim during the following times:

  • Sunday: 9:00 AM to Midnight
  • Monday to Friday: Available 24 hours
  • Saturday: 12:00 AM to 3:00 PM

How to file weekly claims by phone

If you don’t have internet access or need help from a live representative, you can file your weekly claim by calling the UI claimant assistance hotline.

To reduce phone wait times, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development asks that claimants call during the time that corresponds with the first initial of their last name:

A to M

  • Monday to Friday 6:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Saturday 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

N to Z

  • Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

How do I know if my weekly claim was successful?

Once you submit your weekly claim information, you will receive a confirmation number. It is highly recommended that you write this number down in case you need it at a future date.

You can also review the “My UI Summary” page to see the status of your weekly claims and payments.

How to collect payment

When you apply for Wisconsin unemployment benefits, you have two options for receiving your payments:

  1. Direct deposit: If you choose this method, you’ll need a checking or savings account at a U.S. bank or credit union. You’ll provide the routing number, account number, and account type to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Your benefit payments will be deposited directly into your bank account.
  2. Prepaid Visa debit card from U.S. Bank: If you don’t select direct deposit, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development will send your unemployment insurance payments to a prepaid Visa debit card provided by U.S. Bank. Once your payments are approved, U.S. Bank will mail the debit card within two business days. It may take around seven to ten business days for the card to arrive in a plain, white envelope with a window through the postal service.

You should not expect to receive your unemployment compensation on the same day or within the same timeframe every week. It may vary.

If you have filed a weekly claim certification and have not received a payment or an explanation within seven days, you can check the status of your payment on the online portal or contact the claimant assistance hotline for further assistance.

Can I change my preferred payment method?

If you wish to change your payment method, you can do so by logging into the claimant portal and clicking the “My UI Summary” tab, then “Payment Information” or you can call the UI claimant assistance hotline.

    • Todd,

      You can stop making weekly claims and that should take care of it. For additional information, please call the Claims Center.

  1. I am having a hard time finding the page to fill in for my weekly job search. It keeps telling me I have no weeks to claim. I talked to a lady from Wisconsin Unemployment and she states that Madison is waiting for my 4 work searches ending 4-19-17. How o I get there.

    • It looks like your claim account may have exhausted.

      Plese call the Claims Center and again and ask for detailed instructions.

  2. I applied for unemployment, did not receive any money. Was not sent anything via the mail. Will I be taxed on money that was never sent or received?

    • Please call the Claims Center to ascertain why it was not paid.

      The weekly amount is generally credited to the bank account as and when you make a claim.

    • Please specify the exact nature of the issue.

      The best way to get this resolved is by contacting the claims center by phone.

  3. I made an error when filling out my weekly paperwork. Is there any way to go back and change it after it is submitted without using the telephone?

  4. I been calling on this phone 608-261-9990
    to claim my weekly unemployment. since in the morning until now it is 2;49 afternoon I couldn’t call because the line is so busy. And I am trying so many time on line my Username was accompanied my password which is strange to me.

  5. When I filled my weekly benefits claim #160424072650 i have a question about I figure in commission I received for sales I made before I was discharged. Commission is paid after merchandise is delivered, but it is not actually paid until after the second 2 week pay period. For example things delivered between the 1st through 15th would not be paid until 2 weeks later than that. So I receive 2 weeks pay all at one time so how do I figure this for my weekly benefits?

  6. I received a letter dated 4/21/16 where it says I was fired from my job and additional information was required to be given within 5 days. Two numbers were supplied to call which neither of them I could not get through till Wednesday or later. I have a letter from my employer stating my discharge was not for misconduct or substantial fault connected to my employment. I was discharged for performance even though i worked to the best of my ability. What can we do to resolve this matter?

    • Well, please let us know if you’re inquiring about applying for UI benefits.

      If you’re looking for help otherwise, please explore the labor laws in your state or negotiate with your employer.

  7. I have been receiving job searches from The Job Center believing it is from the state. Every time I go to file I receive the memo that Ii have not yet signed up for this. If I am receiving the emails of jobs and job searches why would I have to set this up all over again?

  8. When during the day will my weekly claim check be deposited. Mine was scheduled to be deposited today 2-1-16, but as of 1:52 pm the check has not been deposited. I rechecked all my deposit information and the routing and account number is correct.

    • We do not have access to your claim information since this is a private forum.

      Please call the claims center for an update.

  9. I went on line to see if last weeks check was in the bank it automaticly signed me up for another week of unemployment how can I cancel it

  10. Why when I put the email address where I sent my resume through craigslist it says invalid email address. How am I supposed to file my weekly chaim work search when it won’t except the email address. Very frustrating!

  11. I just did my claim for unemployment got approved but have to talk back to claim specialist on Monday what number do I call

  12. If I exhausted regular 26 weeks of benefits this week can I continue to file weekly claims until Federal Extension is enacted?

    • You will not be able to.

      If the regular,state provided benefits have been exhausted, please watch news on extension of the EUC and apply accordingly.

  13. I stopped calling in my claim because I’m really confused. My benefit letter says they run out in May 2014, yet I haven’t had a check since the end of December 2013. I know what Congress did, but I didn’t think I was in the “extension” area yet. How can i get what was promised to me by letter…reapply? I’m retirement age an d the reality is it’s hard to find a job for me. Please advise…things are getting desperate.

    • May be your application exhausted the regular UI benefits and moved to extension when it stopped.

      You must immediately contact the WI labor dept on one of the numbers below for more information on the letter you received.

      608-232-0824 Madison
      414-438-7713 Milwaukee
      800-494-4944 Toll-free

  14. Last week I have done my weekly claim on-line and this week I have done it by automated phone. Do I need to talk to someone live to have this processed?

    • I don’t think that is required.You can check the status of the claim filed online for update.

      It is all the same.

    • Please report that you have worked less than what is considered a full time job.I suggest that you file online for self help.

  15. I have a few weeks that I did not claim the hours worked-did not hear and follow the question properly. How can I fix this?

    • Simple.Please speak to a representative from the claims team of the labor department/ if you filed online, you must have an option.

  16. Hi, I am trying to reopen my UI Benefits. My current job I called in to my supervisor to say I lost my car and was unable to work. I called in both days, on second day my supervisor asked if I was resigning I said no. I was then told I will be fired for abandonment of job. Can I collect UI benefits again? Thank you

  17. I was denied first time had to make 1.400 more dollars did so could u check see if iqualify now called in claim last week but cant get threw this week to follow up to talk to some one how do I claim on line

  18. I have registered for everything on line the job center keeps sending me in circles an I can’t figure out how to post my resume?

  19. could i please have a weekly print out mailed to me as to what weeks my unemployment is for. i just started receiving, and it is direct deposit. but i dont know for wat weeks i was elible for. please contact me , i tried calling and 1800 4944944. it told me to call back i just need a paper trail thank u

  20. I have applied already how do i set up up payment. On the card they talk about?
    the phone said my payment was made on 9/10/13 where is it ?

  21. please I need the address to the Madison office , I need to mail my form in for Direct Deposit ,for my check to be deposited onto my Pre Paid card every week. thank you.

    • I am sorry to say we are not affiliated with any unemployment office. You could try google or perhaps Wisconsin Unemployment allows you to complete the necessary paper work for your deposit online.

  22. Look I’ve been looking for work for awhile now,I’ve been as far away as Florida to California. Then my VA Rep suggested going back to school now I’m being told I don’t qualifiy because the courses I’ve chosen don’t meet your requirerments but they the Federal Governments because they requiredment them. So please tell what hoops I got to jump through to quilifiy for retraining benefits. I would really be happy to do what it takes because otherwise I have to drop out and don’t know what then.

  23. Hello, I have been claiming for two weeks now. I did receive a statement stating that I can get 360.00. Will I recieve this amount this following week or how long untill I can get paid? Rent is coming and I need to make sure I get this check! Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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