![]() | Max. Weekly Benefit Amount $400 | Max. Weeks of Benefits 26 | Current Jobless Rate 5.1% |

$400
26
5.1%
Updated : November 4th, 2022
Delaware Unemployment Benefits
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits provide temporary financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and meet other eligibility requirements. We have listed eligibility criteria for qualifying for Delaware unemployment benefits and much more information on this page.
Eligibility To Apply 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.
Note –
- Covered employer is an employer with 50 or more employees for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the present or preceding calendar year.
- 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 wage in your base period, the Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance will consider your wage in the alternate base period.
Find out 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 quit is any 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
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
You must maintain your UI eligibility to receive benefits without any hassle. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:
Be able to work – You must be physically and mentally be able to work.
Be available for work – You should be available to take up a suitable job.
Actively look for work – You should actively look for work and record your weekly contacts on the “work search log.” Note that the Division may verify and audit your work search log any time.
Find out on 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 at UICS.DELAWAREWORKS.COM. If you have any queries, you can contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
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 WebBenefits –https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/unemployment-insurance/. You can also file by phone using TeleBenefits 302-761-6576 for New Castle County or Toll-Free 800-794-3032 Outside New Castle County.
Note that you will be asked a series of questions when you request your weekly payments. To avoid committing fraud, answer all questions truthfully.
UI Benefits Amount
The weekly UI benefit amount depends on your base period wages. In Delaware, the maximum Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) you can receive is $400, and the minimum is $20.
Benefits Calculator
Use the benefits calculator to determine the estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
You must know several aspects after filing for Unemployment Insurance in Delaware. They include:
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. Visit the Division to know more about the 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:
- Job Search using Job Spidering
- Conduct a Job Search
- Research Career Information
- Build an Online Resume
- Register with Job Service
- Receive emails on new job openings
Delaware Phone Numbers
Find the below-listed phone numbers of unemployment offices in Delaware:Delaware Unemployment Office Numbers
Call Center | (302) 368-6600 |
Unemployment appeals | (302) 761-8370 |
Unemployment fraud hotline | (302) 761-8397 |
Locate your nearest unemployment office
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.