Wyoming Unemployment Application

How to apply for Wyoming unemployment benefits

Apply Online

CALL: (307) 473-3789 to file an Unemployment Compensation Claim.

File by calling the Claims Center at (866) 729-7799 if calling from outside of Wyoming.

Fax: (307) 473-3726.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time); Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Mountain Time).

Visit Unemployment Office

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Unemployment Insurance, or UI, is a program that gives money to workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own. The Wyoming UI system is fully online, making it easier than ever for Wyoming workers to get the help they need as they transition into new employment.

Applying for WY unemployment online

The Wyoming Division of Workforce Services suggests that unemployment claimants create an online account through the WYUI system. Creating an online account will make it easier for you to handle your weekly unemployment insurance claims.

A few things you can do with the WYUI system include:

• Applying for unemployment compensation
• Filing an appeal
• Viewing important documents and messages
• Answering questions from the unemployment office
• Updating your contact information
• Choosing how you want to get paid
• Asking for payment
• Changing your PIN
• Repay an overpayment

Applying for Wyoming unemployment benefits by phone

If you have limited access to the internet and need to apply for unemployment insurance benefits by phone, you can call (307) 473-3789 toll free. The Wyoming Unemployment Insurance Claims Center is open from 8 am until 4 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays, you can call from 8 a.m. until noon.

Information needed for the Wyoming unemployment application

When you apply, you need to have the following information ready:

• Your Social Security Number
• Contact information (name, address, and phone number) for your most recent employer
• The date you stopped working
• If you have worked for any companies outside of Wyoming in the past 18 months, you will need to provide their names and the dates you worked there.

How to create a WYUI account

To create a WYUI account, visit https://wyui.wyo.gov/ and click “Unemployed Worker New Account Sign Up.” From there, you will be asked to provide

• Your Social Security Number
• First and Last Name
• Birth Date
• Requested PIN

After you submit this information, you will be asked to create a User ID and password. You will then create three security questions and answers to recover your account in case this information is lost or forgotten.

Do not share your WYUI login or PIN to avoid unemployment fraud and identity theft.

Once you’ve created a WYUI account, you can submit your unemployment claim and view information about it. To do this, go to the top menu and look for the blue tabs that say “File Unemployment Claim” or the green triangles in the center menu.

What is WYUI?

WYUI stands for Wyoming Unemployment Insurance. It is the online system used by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services for managing the unemployment insurance program application and claims process.

Verifying your identity for unemployment benefits

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Unemployment Insurance division (WYUI) has teamed up with an identity confirmation service to confirm that the people who are filing for benefits are actually who they say they are. This helps keep your identity safe and ensures that only the right people receive benefits.

To confirm your identity, you will be asked for two of the following documents:

• Driver’s License
• State ID
• Passport
• Passport Card

If you only have one of those documents, the Wyoming unemployment insurance program will allow you to provide two secondary documents. Examples of secondary documents include your birth certificate, Social Security card, and W2 or pay stub.

Once you have submitted your documents, you will need to verify your identity as directed by the WYUI system. You cannot receive unemployment compensation until your identity is verified.

If for some reason you are not able to finish the verification process online, you can request a video call with a Trusted Referee—a trained identity specialist who will confirm your identity. You will need to provide your identity documents, as well as a selfie, to complete this process.

What to do after applying for unemployment benefits through WYUI

After filing your initial application, you will need to file a weekly claim to receive continued assistance. Claimants need to contact at least two different employers each week. It is highly recommended that you complete the provided work search and earnings logs to keep track of claims information in order to meet eligibility requirements and continue collecting unemployment benefits.

What can affect my claim for benefits?

There are a number of things that can affect your claim for benefits. These items include:

Benefit year

When you apply for unemployment benefits, they will last for one year, but it’s possible to use all of your benefits before the year is over. Once the year is up, you can’t receive additional benefits, even if there’s still money left on your claim. According to Wyoming state law, claimants can only receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.

Child support

If you owe child support, the government will garnish the money out of your unemployment benefits. This is based on the most recent court order on file in the court system.

Federal civilian wages

The government doesn’t automatically tell the Department of Workforce Services how much money you make. When you apply for unemployment, the Department of Workforce Services will ask the government for your wage information. This information will be added to your unemployment claim once it’s received. You might not see your federal wages on your first form, but you will get a final form later. You need to sign and send back the Claimant’s Affidavit of Federal Civilian Service, Wages and Reason for Separation form detailing your federal job and how much you earned. It’s important to do this quickly to avoid any delays.

Military wages

The military doesn’t tell the Department of Workforce Services how much money you made. So, the agency will use the DD Form 214, Member 4 form to figure out how much money you earned. You might not see your military wages on your first  Results of the Unemployment Claim You Filed form, but you will receive a final form later. The agency will also let you know if you’re eligible for unemployment benefits based on why you left the military. If you don’t agree with the decision, you can send an appeal to your military branch.

Sharing personal information

The Department of Workforce Services ensures that the information you gave them is accurate by checking with federal government programs. They check things like your name, Social Security number, where you work, your employer’s address, and how much you made. If the law allows, they may also share your information with other government agencies. The Department of Workforce Services may also ask your employer for information for its internal auditing process.

Taxes and address updates

When you receive unemployment benefits from the government, you have to pay taxes on the money you receive. To make it easier, you can choose to have 10 percent of your benefits taken out for taxes. If you wish to change this, you can go to dws.wyo.gov and log in to your account to adjust it. Just remember to keep your address updated so you don’t miss important mail updates from the agency. USPS cannot forward mail from the Department of Workforce Services if you move.

Vacation, Severance, Pension,

If you are paid vacation time, severance pay, sick leave, or bonuses while receiving unemployment benefits, you need to tell the Department of Workforce Services in your weekly continued claim. This amount of money will be withheld from your benefit payment for that week.

Work in other states

If you worked in more than one state, you can choose to use wages from those states when applying for unemployment benefits in Wyoming. However, you need to have also earned wages in Wyoming during that time period. The first Results of the Unemployment Claim form you receive may not show out-of-state wages, but they will be reflected on the final form.

If you worked in another state, but haven’t told the unemployment office yet, the Claim Center can call and add that employer to your unemployment claim.

Workers’ Compensation income

If you received Wyoming Workers’ Compensation, you might be able to get unemployment benefits using the money you earned in the four quarters before you got hurt. But, you can only apply for unemployment benefits once you’re done getting payments from Workers’ Compensation, and you have to apply within 60 days of being released and within 36 months of getting hurt.

What happens if my application is denied?

If you are denied unemployment compensation benefits after filing your initial application, you have the right to file an appeal.

When will I start receiving UI benefits?

If there are no problems with your application, your claim for benefits should be processed within two business days. Unemployment compensation will be paid with a ReliaCard prepaid debit card sent to you through the mail. You can also request to have benefits paid via direct deposit by providing your banking information in the WYUI portal.