 | Max. Weekly Benefit Amount $400 | Max. Weeks of Benefits 26 | Current Jobless Rate 5.1% |
$400
26
5.1%
Updated : September 20th, 2023
Delaware Unemployment Benefits
Delaware unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and meet other eligibility requirements. The program helps you cover living expenses when you’re out of work. The amount of money you receive each week depends on factors like your previous income and work history.
Delaware UI Benefits Calculator
The Delaware Unemployment Benefits Calculator helps you estimate your UI weekly benefits amount.
Calculate Your Delaware Unemployment Benefits
Use the Delaware unemployment calculator to estimate your UI benefit payments.
Delaware Unemployment Calculator
Eligibility for UI Benefits In Delaware
You must meet the monetary and job separation requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits in Delaware.
Monetary Eligibility
To be monetarily eligible for Delaware unemployment benefits, you must have been paid at least 36 times your weekly benefit amount by a covered employer in the base period. In Delaware, the base period is the last four of the five complete calendar quarters before filing your new claim. If you don’t have enough wages in your base period, the Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance will consider your wages in the alternate base period.
Learn more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
You would qualify for Delaware unemployment benefits only if you become unemployed through no fault of your own. You won’t receive benefits if you voluntarily quit your job unless the reason for quitting is one of the following:
- You are working in an unsafe working environment
- You are facing domestic or family violence
- You had a medical condition and were unable to work
- Your employer made significant changes to your job responsibilities without your consent
Maintaining Eligibility
You must maintain your UI eligibility to receive weekly benefits. You must maintain your eligibility in the following ways:
- Register at DelawareJobs
- Upload your resume to DelawareJobs and update it every 3 months
- Certify for benefits every week
- Perform a weekly work search activity
- Report weekly earnings
- Attend any trainings or meetings if requested
- Respond with additional information if requested
Learn more about Delaware job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits In Delaware?
You must submit the following documents to apply for UI benefits in Delaware:
Online
You can file for Delaware unemployment benefits online using the DelawareWorks website. You must first create an ID.me account to verify your identity.
Learn more about applying for UI benefits
How To File Weekly Claims
You must request payments for each week that you are unemployed and wish to collect benefits. You can request weekly payments online using the WebBenefits website.
If you’d prefer not to use the internet, you can certify over the phone using the TeleBenefits system. You will be asked a series of questions when you request your weekly payments. To avoid committing unemployment fraud, answer all questions truthfully.
Learn more about weekly claims
Things To Know After Filing An Application
There are many things to watch out for after you apply for unemployment compensation.
Overpayments
You must report all earnings while requesting payments. Failure to disclose wages or knowingly making a false statement to secure more benefits will result in overpayment due to fraud. Consequences of receiving overpayment through fraud include disqualification from benefits for one year, prosecution, and a fine or imprisonment.
Benefits Extension
Generally, the Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. But if the state’s unemployment rate is too high, it may provide extended benefits.
Job Training Assistance
The American Job Centers offer a variety of workshops, including but not limited to:
- Basic Computer Training
- Job Search
- Interview Strategies
On the other hand, the Delaware JobLink, a web-based online network system, provides services like:
- Conduct a Job Search
- Research Career Information
- Build an Online Resume
- Register with Job Service
- Receive emails about new job openings
Find job training opportunities in DE
Delaware unemployment contact information
If you need help or have questions about filing for unemployment, you will need to call the claimant assistance line.
If you would like information about job training programs or counseling to find a new job, visit your local Job Center.
Frequently Asked Question
- You were fired from your job or you quit your job voluntarily
- You didn't report correct wages
- You hid crucial information regarding your wages or job separation
- You didn't meet work search requirements
Applied on January 8 2021 due to catching Covid-19. Received a letter on the 7th of February telling me to apply through the PUA portal, I did immediately. My PUA portal was finally updated after submitting several emails. So I was able to put in my current & back dated weekly certifications. Now It’s March and I have yet to receive any payments, I’ve been sending emails which I haven’t got a reply back. I also chatted with representatives, and they can’t give me any information & also stated that a supervisor wouldn’t be able to give me any information in regards to when I will receive a payment. As of now it’s the month of March and my weekly certification has been saying Pending staff approval for payment for a week. However theres only one certification that states that. Says the representative ” The other weeks that says filed have already been approved” Yet I have not received one single payment. Why is it taking so long to send me my benefits that I worked for. I caught Covid due to working through this pandemic to feed my family. It’s not right that my family & I have to suffer because of it. also why hire more staff if they can’t operate any functions to help the process!
I never received unemployment and I feel some type of way I lost my house and family because I lost my job do to bus schedule being jacked up and now I am homeless and I haven’t heard anything but 50,000 people are getting money who never worked with out a problem the government is backwards and I was a tax payer what can I do
I was laid off from Bank of America last september, i received a severence until May 2017. I have continued to look for work and have been working part time but nothing full time and nothing garaunteed, why are my benefits being denied?
Bridget,
I am not sure why they were denied. This is a private forum and we do not have access to your claim file. Please contact the Unemployment Office. If you feel you were denied wrongfully, please file an “Appeal”.
My unit was outsourced so I was laid off with a year severance. Can I look for work for six months and then file for UC benefits if I fail to find a job ?
You can be eligible to apply for UI benefits after the expiry of the Severance payout. Please do not wait after this period.
I reside in Elkton, MD but worked in Wilmington, DE
In which state do I claim my unemployment benefits
Thank you very much
You must be looking at applying from DE as your employer would have paid state taxes there.
I am 59 and working. My wife is disabled and we take care of my mother . She is 80 and has Alzheimer’s, and my wife is now in a wheel chair and is havering a hard time looking after herself. So now my mother is to much for her to watch after while I am at work. If I have to stop working and stay home to take care of both of them can I get unemployment?
Hi John,
If you quit your job voluntarily without good cause attributable to your work, your claim can be denied. If you quit the job and are unavailable to work, then you mostly not qualified to receive unemployment benefits.