Once you become unemployed, you can file a new claim or reopen an existing claim for benefits by calling our special toll-free telephone number at 1-866-500-0017. You can call and file by using a touch-tone telephone from anywhere in the USA or Canada. For TTY callers, use 1-866-366-0004.

The scheduled time for filing by phone is based on the last two digits of your Social Security number. For example, if your Social Security number ends in 50, you would phone in your application on Tuesday afternoon. Workers who are unable to call on their appointed day and time can dial the toll-free number anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday or Friday of the same week.

Here is what you need to file an unemployment claim: your Social Security Number, your Driver's License Number or State Identification or your MARVIN PIN (if you have one); along with the names and addresses of employers you have worked for in the past 18 months with your quarterly gross earnings and the last date of employment with each employer. If you are not a U.S. citizen or national, you will need your Alien Registration Number and the expiration date of your work authorization.

Telephone Filed Claims Fact Sheet

View our 6-minute Windows Media Player Webcast now for details about our telephone claims service.