Unemployment Insurance

If you lose your job, you may be able to get Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. These benefits help you keep up with paying your bills while you look for a new job. Unemployment benefits can also provide health insurance and job training, while you look for a new job. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) runs the program.

You may be able to collect unemployment benefits if you were laid off from your job.  In some situations, you might also be able to collect benefits even if you were fired or if you quit. You might be able to get unemployment benefits even if you only worked part-time.

Most workers in Massachusetts can get unemployment benefits, but some cannot. Workers who cannot get Unemployment Insurance include:

• employees of churches and some religious organizations;
• independent contractors (all employees are assumed to be employees eligible for UI. Your employer must prove to DUA that you are an independent contractor by proving all three parts of a three part test. DUA decides whether you are an independent contractor under that test, not your employer. )
• some work-study students and student nurses;
• real estate agents or brokers who work only for commissions;
• insurance agents who work only for commissions;
• elected officials and policy advisors.