Max. Weekly Benefit Amount $275 | Max. Weeks of Benefits 26 | Current Jobless Rate 4% |
$275
26
4%
Updated : November 4th, 2022
Tennessee Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment Insurance (UI) in Tennessee is provided to those who have lost their jobs for no fault of their own. The purpose of UI benefits is to help those who have lost their jobs for ‘no cause’ to gain some monetary stability during the time of transition from job to another.
The Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD) in Tennessee oversees the functions of assessing the eligibility of the applicants for UI benefits. It also organizes training programs and provides other unemployment related services to job-seekers.
Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In Tennessee
In order to gain eligibility for unemployment benefits in Tennessee, the applicants must meet several requirements, which are largely grouped into three parts- monetary eligibility, job-separation requirement, and maintaining eligibility after qualification.
Monetary Eligibility
The DLWD has established some fixed monetary criteria to qualify for UI benefits. The list of the monetary criteria is that the applicants must have worked for a minimum period in the base period. In the base period, the applicants are expected to have earned a minimum amount of wages as prescribed by the DLWD.
It would be beneficial for the applicants to acquaint themselves with some basic topics to get a better understanding of the monetary eligibility requirements:
Calendar quarters: A calendar quarter is a three-month period in a base period. A year will consist of four calendar quarters – January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December.
Base year: The state of Tennessee uses a standard base period to validate if the applicants qualify for UI benefits. A standard base period will be the first four of the last five calendar quarters before the quarter you filed for benefits.
Qualifying Wages: Qualifying wages are the wages that an applicant is expected to earn during the base period. To qualify for unemployment benefits in Tennessee, the applicants must have received a minimum of $780.01 in each of the 2 quarters.
Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): Weekly benefit amount is the amount that if he or she qualifies will receive if he/she qualifies for UI benefits.
The UI benefits are determined by the wages earned by the applicant during the base period. The wages earned by the applicant during the base period, the higher will be the WBA that an applicant may receive. However, there is a maximum limit for WBA set by the state. Maximum weekly benefit amount that an applicant can earn in Tennessee is $275.
The applicants are allowed to earn $50 or 25 percent of their weekly benefit amount, whichever is higher, without risking a deduction from their weekly benefits. For instance, if the applicant has received a weekly benefit amount of $275, he or she may earn up to 25 percent of it, which is $68.75 and still receive the full $275 benefits at the end of the week.
If the applicant’s weekly earnings are beyond this prescribed limit, the excessive amount will be deducted from his or her WBA. If in the event, the applicant’s weekly earnings are more than the WBA itself, his or her benefits will be stopped by the DLWD.
Find out more about eligibility
Job Separation
Once the applicant establishes his or her monetary eligibility, the DLWD will then look into how the applicant separated from his or her previous employment. The DLWD has grouped the reasons for separation into three broad groups-
Lack of Work: If an applicant was laid off, or the position was abolished, or the business closed, or the plant shut down, his or her case would be considered as ‘lack of work’.
Quit: If an applicant voluntarily quits a suitable work without good cause attributable to the employer, his or her case will be considered a ‘quit’.
Discharged: If an applicant was dismissed for violation of company rules, neglected given job responsibilities, etc., his or her case will be considered as ‘discharged’.
If an applicant is found to have quit from the previous organization or was discharged for work-related misconduct, he or she will not qualify for UI benefits. It is mandatory that the applicant must not have lost his or her job due to any attributable fault of the applicants, which includes voluntary quitting from employment.
Eligibility Calculator
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
Any applicant will be qualified for unemployment benefits in Tennessee once once he or she satisfies monetary requirements and job-separation requirements. However, it does not guarantee that the applicant will receive UI benefits during the benefit period unhindered.
If it is found that the applicant has not followed the prescribed guidelines or is found to have used unethical or illegal methods to receive UI benefits, the said benefits will immediately stand canceled.
Some of the reasons that could lead to the termination of unemployment benefits in Tennessee are:
- The applicant was not physically able to work during his or her benefit period. There are special provisions for individuals who become ill or disabled after filing an initial claim. As a result, the claimant must bring any such cases to the notice of DLWD immediately. Failing to do so will lead to the cancelation of UI benefits
- If the applicant fails to contact at least three prospective employers each week as a part of work search activity unless exempted by the DLWD
- If it is discovered that the applicant has lied about his or her wages or previous employment details or regarding the work-search activity, the applicants UI benefits will be canceled
- Rejecting to accept a suitable job offer without a good reason will also lead to the cancelation of UI benefits
- The UI benefits will be canceled if it is found that the applicant has participated in a labor dispute other than a lockout that is in progress
- The applicant was not available to work during his or her benefit period. If the applicant fails to show that he or she was available for work and was regularly in search of suitable employment through documenting work search activity each week, he or she will lose UI benefits. However, there are two exceptions to this rule-
- The first exception is that the applicant was attending a DLWD-approved training program
- The second exception is that the applicant was facing a temporary lay-off, and have a definite return-to-work date from his or her employer
Find out on job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits In Tennessee
In order to apply for unemployment benefits in Tennessee, applicants must have the following documents:
Online:
The applicant must submit an online application for avail UI benefits in the state of Tennessee. To submit the application, the applicant must log on to https://www.jobs4tn.gov/vosnet/Default.aspxand start the application by entering personal details and previous employment information.
In the event, if the applicant is not equipped with the required devices to submit an online application, he or she can reach out to the DLWD on 844-224-5818 to find out about alternative methods to apply for benefits.
Mobile App:
The state of Tennessee also offers a unique service where it allows the applicant to apply for benefits through a mobile app. The Jobs4TN, from which the applicant can apply for UI benefits, can be downloaded on App Store or Google Play.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
UI Benefit Amount
The applicant can use the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculator to find out the approximate UI benefits amount he or she is eligible to receive. This gives the applicant a close estimation of the benefits that he or she may be eligible to receive.
Benefits Calculator
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
There are various rules and regulations that one needs to be aware of to receive UI benefits unhindered every week. The DLWD also provides various training opportunities and other job-seeking opportunities in its portal.
Hence, to be aware of the regulations as well as the opportunities, the claimant must be informed about some important information post filing for application to have a fruitful benefit period.
Overpayments and Fraud
An overpayment occurs when the claimants draw more benefits from the DLWD than what they are eligible to receive. If it is found that the claimant has received an overpayment from the DLWD in your benefit period, the department will mail a Notice of Overpayment to the claimant, addressing the occurrence of an overpayment.
The notice will contain information on how the overpayment occurred, the amount of overpayment received, and the penalties that the claimant may have to pay. It will also contain the right to appeal against the decision of the department.
The DLWD has recognized some of the reasons for the occurrence of the overpayment. The following reasons should help to realize the common pitfalls and steer away from unethical practices-
Improper Wage Reporting: At the time of a claimant’s weekly certification, a question is asked on how much money was earned by the claimant in the previous week. If the gross amount of wages are not entered (even if they have not yet been paid) or are entered incorrectly, this could result in an overpayment.
Failure to Report your “Return to Work” dates: Applicants must make sure that any new employment accepted since the previous claim must be mentioned during certification.
Every week, during the process of certification for the respective week’s UI benefits, the following question will be asked – “Have you taken a job and were laid off, quit or discharged since your last claim was filed?”
If the applicant was employed for just one day, he or she will technically be considered re-employed. If the applicant quit the job just the following day, the applicant may not be eligible for Georgia unemployment benefits since he or she quit that job.
An Employer’s Appeal: If the employer contests the decision of providing the UI benefits and wins the appeal, all the benefits you received until this point will be considered an overpayment. Since the appeals process may take several weeks, the benefits the applicant was paid would need to be returned to the UI Recovery Unit.
The above-mentioned reasons can take place with or without the applicant’s knowledge, but it would still be considered an overpayment. The claimant’s intention, however, will decide the category of the overpayment, which can be either a non-fraud overpayment or fraud overpayment.
Non-fraud overpayment: If the applicant receives an excessive amount for reasons that he or she is not directly responsible or due to mistakes committed unintentionally, it will be considered as a non-fraud overpayment.
In this case, the applicant is liable to repay the entire overpayment received. Only cases of hardship may be considered by DLWD for a waive-off.
Fraud overpayment: This occurs when the applicant intentionally provides false information or withhold important information to receive UI benefits. Such an act will be considered as a very serious offense and can result in a criminal prosecution against the claimant.
In the case of fraud overpayment, the applicant will not only be asked to repay the excessive amount received, but will also have to pay a penalty to the DLWD.
Benefits Extension
The state of Tennessee provides benefits extension only when the unemployment rate is very high or there is an economic crisis. Claimants are advised to contact the DLWD to find out more on the reemployment programs before the end of the benefit period.
Job Training Assistance
The DLWD provides a host of opportunities to job-seekers in the form of financial aid, grants and various training programs for those who are seeking to improve their skills.
American Job Center Scholarships: These scholarships are given to those looking to go back to school to complete a program or get re-trained in a new skill. The training program must be for a job listed on the targeted occupations list for Tennessee.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): The TAA program is designed to help those who have lost their jobs or whose working hours are reduced as a result of increased imports. The program offers a variety of benefits and services to trade-affected individuals. The agenda of the program is to help these individuals find suitable job opportunities at the earliest.
SNAP Employment & Training: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training are designed to help the SNAP participants obtain job readiness skills.
The DLWD provides various other programs as per the requirements of the job-seekers. Contact the department on 844-224-5818 if you have any specific needs in mind that need more clarification.
Tennessee Office Locations and Phone Numbers
The applicants may reach out to the department by placing a call to get their doubts cleared:
TN Unemployment Office Phone Numbers
DLWD | 844-224-5818 |
Overpayments repayment | 844-817-0619 |
Report fraud | (615) 206-3116 |
Report suspected UI fraud | (615) 741-2346 |
To obtain a release form | (615) 741-3170 |
Equal Opportunity Officers (EOOs) | (615) 253-1331 |
Re-Employment Services | (844) 224-5818 |
Request for 1099G form | 615-442-7009 |
You may also visit your nearest unemployment office if your questions persist. Click here to locate the nearest unemployment office to your location.
Frequently Asked Question
Days 1 - 7: As you file a claim, a letter will be mailed to your previous employer to verify the cause of separation. As per the law, a response will be due in seven business days.
Days 8 - 10: If the DLWD receives a response from the previous employer, the applicant will be summoned to collect more information, if needed. If the employer's letter is not received, the law requires two additional business days for a response.
Days 11 - 13: All information is gathered and sent to Adjudication for a decision.
Days 14 - 21: An impartial decision based on the evidence as it pertains to the law. For all initial claims, the first week you certify after filing is referred to as a "waiting week." You are not paid for this week unless you certify and are eligible for 4 consecutive weeks. In the meantime, complete your weekly certification on Jobs4TN.
Claimants who have received an overpayment in unemployment compensation are obligated to repay the excessive amount with the applicable penalty to DLWD. The Agency is federally mandated to submit unpaid balances to the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) for payment. Debt submitted through TOP can be offset by the debtor's federal tax refund or other payments from the federal government.
- An appeal can be filed if you have received a denial letter and disagree with agency's decision regarding your unemployment compensation claim.
- Appeals must be filed within 15 days of the mail date on the letter.
- Late appeals will only be allowed if you can show, in a hearing that you had good cause.
There are 2 ways an appeal can be filed:
- You can file the appeal online at JOBS4TN.gov ; or
- You can fax or mail the Appeal in writing to
Appeals Tribunal, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
Fax: (615) 741-8933
Mobile App
You can download the Jobs4TN app to apply and certify from your mobile device. The links for download is given under 'How to Apply For UI Benefits in Tennessee'.
American Job Center
Visit the resource room at an American Job Center near you. The computers are equipped with Internet access and staff who can direct you to Jobs4TN.gov to begin filing a claim.
Form 1099Gs for previous years are also available by sending a written request, including name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and phone number, to:
Special Services Unit
Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, TN 37243-1002
Fax 615-253-4649
or request a copy by phoning Special Services at:
615-442-7009
I cannot get a hold of anyone at the Tennessee Unemployment Office by phone, chat, and email. I have now emailed, mailed, and called the Governor to try and get help with this. It has been 10 weeks and I have no answer about my claim. I am about to lose my home and I think 3 months is more than enough time for a decision and response back. My previous employer did there part and so have and still am doing my part. So why cannot the Tennessee Unemployment Office do theirs!!! Can someone PLEASE HELP me??
I was fired from work on Feb 2, 2021 because of attendance and I have been trying to file for unemployment on line with no success since my firing. I tried calling as well with no success. I tried filing and was told contact unemployment office in 2-3 days because something happened. I don’t want to miss out on me getting my unemployment because I’m not able to file in a timely manner and before my unemployment opportunity runs out and I can’t qualify. Help me please because it’s very frustrating not being able to file and getting the run around because I’m not able to speak with anyone.
I have question if I get one disqualify week bc of job search bc I forgot about can I get benefits the next week after that when I file a new weekly certificate with job search
Kortney,
I did not quite understand. Please contact the Unemployment Office for details.
It says active and I’m not recieved any $
Once you file the claim can you go back and ammend
Riva,
Please follow up with the Unemployment Office.
I had my hours reduced by 1/5 to 1/3 due to the covid 19 pandemic. I was told I could file for UI for the reduced hrs. None of the questions on the site fit my situation. It only wants to know if you’re completely unemployed. How can you complete the questions correctly? I have spent countless hours trying to complete only to be thrown out after 1-2 hrs. I don’t want to continue trying if I don’t qualify because I still work enough hours that I make more that what’s allowed.
Jenny,
The questionnaire might be redundant. Please fill it to the best of your knowledge. It will take some time for the authorities to change the system in line with recent announcements.
A friend of mine told me that if you get fired from your job you can still qualify for unemployment if you are still unemployed after 90 days, is that true. I ask because I have another friend who was fired just before Thanksgiving and still has been unable to find work. I think it’s partly because the industry he works in (and I did before retiring in 2012) just does not hire people at this time of year and also because he is now 62 years old (which is why I think but, don’t know, is why they fired him). He said he filed for unemployment when it happened but was denied, but no one told him why. Shouldn’t someone have told him?
James,
The office would have specified the reason for denial. If your friend thinks the ground for determination was not relevant and justified, he/she can file an appeal by asking for an adjudicator.
What does a regular active claim mean in Tennessee
Please elaborate.
Need verification for my insurance I am still unemployed. Where can I find this information or can I get a fax sent to them?
Please call the claims center of the Unemployment Office in your state on the phone numbers provided for further information.
How can I change my address on the claim I filed
If you filed online, please log in and explore options to do the same.
Otherwise, please call the claims center for further advise regarding address change.
Ui claim was appoved but want let me certify
We are not the unemployment office. Please contact the local unemployment office.
why I have not received my benefits?
This is not the unemployment office – we are a public website.
Just wanted to make sure before I fax my proof for my last name to be changed, I need to make sure since my DOB isn’t on the decree I send my birth certificate. And same when showing proof that I have primary rights with my girls. But Sd u need to put my name and DOB ON THeir PAPER work showing they belong with my unemployment claim. Correct?
This is not the unemployment office. Please call the local office for your answer.
I filed an unemployment claim and locked my pin. I have faxed in 2 requests to unlock my pin but I tried to call 48 hrs later and nothing. I can’t get through by calling 253-0800 or 877-813-0950 to file my weekly searches. I’ve called 532-1800, 800-689-9799 & 800-262-8094 trying to get a hold of anyone who can help me. I’m going to try the Career Center in Gallatin looking for help but not sure what they can help me with.
Keep trying. A Career Center might have a direct line to the unemployment office or allow you to fax your request to the unemployment office. Be sure to put your name, social security number and phone number on all pages of the fax.
our record indicate a break In my claim of the week of 8/11/13 to 8/18/13.I was ask to work a week of vacation the week of 8/5/13 thur 8/9/13this was not a call back to work our recall is not till 9/2/13.So what do I need to do to able to start be my weekly claims
Either reopen your claim online or call the local office and ask them to reopen your claim.
i have been filing for the last 8 weeks and still have not heard anything but still pending when i call. all the other numbers are not accepting call who can i talk to for questions i need answered. i had surgery on left hand and the company i worked for had no lite duty for me nor did the temp service i was working thru so i started filing im now so far into debt with just my monthly bills i dont know what to do. if there is anyone from unemployment reading this please call me
here is a link that may help: https://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/Claimants/appintro.html
the store where I work is being sold. Do I have to accept a position with the new owner? If I do not accept the job, will it disqualify me from getting UI benefits?
If the job is essentially the same, I think you would be expected to take it.
what is the status of my claim?
we are not the unemployment office, sorry can’t answer your question.
worked for land air transportation Greenville,tn
And your question is…..
When I call in weekly for my benefits the past 2 weeks I’m told my pin is locked need help phone number no help Maury County Does Not offer this help service any longer PLEASE HELP
Half way through online application, I got an Application error . It gave 615-253-0800 and 877-813-0950 to contact. These numbers require a pin#. I didn’t get pin# prior to the application error. I attempted to start over but the system would not let me. Who can assist me in getting my application complete,and to receive pin#?
I can’t change my pin.I don;t have a pin.It says my weekly benefit amount of 189 is wrong on automated system.Can i have a phone number to talk to a real person.
I attempted to file for unemployment online on 7/22/13. When I got to the PIN screen I was disconnected from the server. When I call about estabishing a PIN and CORRECTING MY SEPERATION DATE it will not let me continue without a PIN number. Without this correction I will automatically be denied unnecessarily. Please advise on who I can speak with about making this important correction. Thank you!!!!!!
Was employed by URS Corp in Chattanooga, TN for 7 years. I accepted a position in Kansas City, KS after the company planned to close the Chattanooga, TN office. After a year of commuting every two weeks from Chattanooga to KC and insufficient amount of work in KC, I opted to retired early from URS Corp. as of 7/15/13.
I NEED TO FIND OUT WHY I HAVE NOT RECIVED MY UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS YET, I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK SINCE 6-26-2013. AND I HAVE FILED EACH WEEK AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME ITS IN PENDING STATUS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK AND LET ME KNOW WHAT GONG ON. THANKS YOU.
I NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY UNMENPLOYMENT CHECKS, I CAN CALLED THE PHONE NO BUT ITS TAKE FOREVER FOR SOMEONE TO GET BUT WITH ME SO CAN YOU PLEASE FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON.
I have never drawn unemployment but I am trying to. I wasn’t sure if it goes back 12 mts or 18 because I have more paid in on the 18 mts also I am having a really hard time filing a claim is there a number I can call to actually get through to someone?
Hi Koty,
Base period is defined as first four of the last five calendar quarters. This means last 18 months will work fine in your case.
I have run out of my unemployment and can’t find work. Can I apply for a extension for the ,State of TN since North Carolina don’t offer any extensions. So how can I apply for a extension from the state of TN
Hi Debra,
If you were receiving your unemployment compensation from the state of North Carolina, I do not see a possibility of you shifting to Tennessee. Unemployment benefits are provided in the state where you worked. Please let me know if you found a possible way to do this.
how in Gods name do you file for a extension for unemployment ??? We have called we have looked every where on your page to see where we are to go and can find nothing to help us . It feels like you all don’t want us to file and have done every thing to make it hard for people to file for anything. If you guys think this is easy for the people that have no computer experience you are wrong . These guys that work construction and lower income jobs have hell .
Hi Fredrick,
Looks like you are right. We are having a hard time finding out how to file for extension in Tennessee. Usually, once a recipient exhausts regular benefits, the unemployment office sends across a letter stating their eligibility for extension. This link might be of some help –> https://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/forms/EUCWorkSearchLog.pdf
Sorry for the inconvenience on our site.
How many weeks of unemployment can you draw if you had about 7 years employment on the same job
i have exhausted my tier 1 benef=its. i am looking for work but am 64 yrs old and its hard. are there any extension of benefits i can apply for in tn?
I am 70 years old, drawing social security and a small pension from another source. I have been working full time for about 48 years and have not drawn any unemployment compensation. Should I lose my job, am I eligible for unemployment compensation?
Thank you
I was recently demoted from a managment position, and forced to take a lesser paying job. I went from $9 per hour to min wage, also my hours were cut from 48 to 28. Do I have grounds for a claim? If so what all info do i need to make this claim?
I have been attempting to call the listed numbers but have never gotten anything but a recording saying they are too busy to take calls. Is there an office I can call who will answer? I have questions that I need answered.
Thanks
I had filed a UI claim online after waiting 3-4 months for it to show in the drop-down box that lists the employers you’ve had in the past. It took this long to show that employer, otherwise it will tell you that you must call in to file a claim… which is very cumbersome, so I waited. Shortly after filing the claim I found work temporarily at Walmart during the holiday. I quit certifying after 2 weeks, however I kept getting letters telling me to contact the UI office for further info about my seperation or I may loose benifits etc. I thought if you quit certifying it would automatically cancel the claim. The employer I initially filed the claim for (last employer before new job) was disputing the “lack of work” reason I listed saying I was discharged for a policy violation. I didn’t get a seperation notice so that was what I used for the layoff… “lack of work”. I didn’t care anyhow because I hadn’t received a check yet and thought the claim would be cancelled after not certifying and finding other work. This was evidently not the case. I recently spoke to a caseworker via phone and they said I had to file an “ad claim” to re-start benefits. Well, another quarter had passed during this time which pushed another quarter in the place of an empty quarter I had on my monetary determination. Come to find out, when I re-apply for being laid off from the newer job, they will not consider the new quarter… they tell me they will only go by my initial determination (where I filed from the old job and didn’t receive any money)and the quarters that fell during this time, and the new quarter that is now part of the 1st 4 of my last 5 completed quarters is obsolete. Can anyone tell me why they will not just let me file the new claim & cancel the old one? They told me I had to file what they called an “ad claim”, which I assume is just re-opening the old one. This doesn’t make sense and I would appreciate the help if anyone can explain any of this to me.
I have kept a accurate work search log since I have received unemployment. how do I get a unemployment counselor. Ny benefits don’t run out until first week of February 2013. What i understand is before your last 2 weeks checks are exhausted I’m to call my unemployment counselor. I don’t have one. Do i continue to call in to certify to see if there is an extension granted for me. I’ve tried so hard applying on line. face to face, phone calls , filling out applications. No good results. I’ve cried and I don’t know what to do. Can you help me please. My number is 865 454-5662
i have been waiting for a decision on my unemployment for several weeks now. no one can tell me what the problem is. all i get is that they are behind on claims. is there anything i can do to help speed up the process? am broke and christmas is coming.
I was forced to supervise others and was not hired as a supervisor which resulting in me quitting my job
I am currently receiving unemployment benefits. I have a part-time job offer. Need to know would the employer be taxed or hit for unemployment insurance benefits. Thanks, in advance need information.
what should i do to file for unemployment compensation benefit while i am looking for another job?
My husband has been receiving unemployment and going to school. As a side job he coaches softball for a junior high school. He gets $1000.00 at the end of the year for all his work? Do we have to claim this as over a weekly amount since it is one check that is spread over 180 days of school equaling much less than the allotted daily amount? I need help with this question soon because he should be receiving the check in the next few weeks.
thanks