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How do I apply for Unemployment Insurance

 

You can apply for benefits in person, or on the phone. To apply in person, you can go to one of the 15 Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) walk-in offices in Massachusetts. Unemployment Insurance Walk-In Centers.

To apply over the phone, call 1-617-626-6800 or 1-877-626-6800. You can apply by phone, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You cannot apply on the Internet, at this time.

After you apply, the DUA will mail you their decision. This letter will tell you if the DUA has decided to give you benefits or not. Save this letter! If the DUA says you cannot get benefits, you will need information from the letter to ask them to look at your case more carefully. See What if I cannot get Unemployment Insurance?


Produced by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Last updated October 2010


Take the quiz!

Question
Answer
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1. Do you have to go to the UI Office to apply for benefits?
1. Fatima was laid off from her job last week, but she has already started at a new job this week.
Can Fatima get unemployment?

Question
Answer
Correct Answer
Correct Message
Wrong Message
2. how will you know if DUA has decided to give you Unemployment?
1. Fatima was laid off from her job last week, but she has already started at a new job this week.
Can Fatima get unemployment?

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