How do I apply for Unemployment Insurance

• You can apply for regular UI online. The online application is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole.
• You can also apply for UI over the phone with the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA): 877-626-6800. Multilingual
  services are available over the phone.
• To apply in person, you must make an appointment at DUA’s Boston Re-employment Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston MA. To make an appointment and for more information: www.mass.gov/info-details/welcome-to-the-boston-re-employment-center-rec...

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?

Keep Certifying

After you file you have to “certify” your work search every week. You also need to “certify” any earnings. You need to start “certifying” one week after you file.

Note

If DUA denies your application, keep reporting while you are appealing. If you win your appeal you can get benefits back to your “file date”.

You can “certify” by phone, 617-626-6563, or online through your UI Online account.

DUA requires that you:

• make a minimum of three work search contacts each week you get benefits;
• keep a log of these work search contacts; and
• provide this  log to DUA if they ask.

See a sample work search log.

How long do I have to wait?

DUA is busy.  It sometimes takes several weeks to get a decision on your benefits.

If you have waited several weeks and are still having problems getting a decision form the DUA, you can try calling your state representative or senator. They can sometimes call DUA on your behalf, which might help get the agency's attention. To find out who your representative and senator are, go to www.wheredoivote.com.

What if I have other problems?

Call DUA's call center, 877-626-6800. You can also Find Legal Aid.