Massachusetts Unemployment

Most workers in Massachusetts are covered under law by the unemployment insurance program.

However, workers in the following categories are not eligible to collect benefits:

employees of churches and certain religious organizations;
worker trainees in a program administered by a non-profit or public institution;
real estate brokers or insurance agents who work on a commission basis only;
consultants working independently;
elected officials and those in policy-making and advisory positions;
and members of a legislative body, or the judiciary.

Generally, benefits are available for eligible workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own, and who are able to work and are actively looking for a job. You must also have earned at least $3,500 during a specified period of time set by law.

Find Out If You Are Eligible For Unemployment Click this link to find out: Am I Eligible To Collect Unemployment Benefits?

Have Your Benefits Run Out? Click this link to find out how to get an unemployment extension: Unemployment Extension

Have A Specific Question? Click this link to get answers to all your Massachusetts unemployment questions: Massachusetts Unemployment FAQ

How do I file for unemployment benefits?

Step1

Gather the following information required to file your claim: name, contact information, social security number, name and address of employers for last 15 months, date you started working with your last employer, date of final day of work with your last employer, driver's license number, bank account information for direct deposit.

Step2

You must first file an unemployment claim by calling the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce TeleClaim Center at 1-877-626-6800 or you can visit an unemployment claim Walk-In Center in Massachusetts.

Step3

Once you have filed an initial claim, you can go to the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development website and access the Unemployment Insurance Benefits online claims system at https://ipasssecurity.detma.org/ipass/loginnew.asp

https://ipasssecurity.detma.org/ipass/loginnew.asp

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Contact Information

For customer service assistance for the following areas, please call the numbers listed:

New Extended UI benefits 888-998-8418

Unemployment claim status, general eligibility,

benefit checks, claim issues/adjudication

Expanded Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 6:30pm,

Saturday 8:00am - 1:30pm 617-626-6800

877-626-6800

Workers' compensation claim status, eligibility, issues 617-727-4900

800-323-3249

Occupational safety and health programs, including lead, asbestos, employment agency, prevailing wage617-626-6975

Employer services (revenue services, contributions) 617-626-5075

Question regarding Labor Board or laws regarding employment (State Attorney General's Office) 617-727-3465

Unemployment check status 617-626-6563

Unemployment claim wages 617-626-5039

Unemployment tax withholding (Form 1099) 617-626-5647

Interstate (moved out-of-state) unemployment claim 617-626-6140

Training Opportunities Program/Section 30 617-626-5375

Career center services, job search assistance,

recruitment and hiring 617-626-5300

Apprentice training 617-626-5409

Medical Security Program 800-908-8801

Unemployment insurance problem resolution 617-626-5400

If You Need to Contact the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development or Specific Agencies:

Division of Unemployment Assistance

for questions and issues related to Unemployment Insurance

Charles F. Hurley Building

19 Staniford Street

Boston, MA 02114

Tel: 617-626-6560

(do not include confidential information such as your social security number in your email) webmaster@detma.org

Department of Industrial Accidents

for questions related to Workers' Compensation

600 Washington Street; 7th Floor

Boston, MA 02111

Tel: 617-727-4900; 1-800-323-3249

(only Workers' Compensation calls please)

Info2@dia.state.ma.us

Division of Career Services

for questions and issues related to job search assistance, career services, training and One-Stop Career Centers

Charles F. Hurley Building

19 Staniford Street

Boston, MA 02114

Tel: 617-626-5300

Email: DCSCustomerfeedback@detma.org

Division of Apprentice Training

for questions related to apprentice training, sponsorship and programs

Charles F. Hurley Building

19 Staniford Street

Boston, MA 02114

Tel: 617-626-5409

Department of Labor

for questions regarding Labor issues

1 Ashburton Place

Room 2112

Boston, MA 02108

Tel: 617-626-7100

Division of Occupational Safety

for questions regarding work place safety

19 Staniford Street, 2nd Floor

Boston, MA 02114

Tel: 617-626-6975

Fax: 617-626-6944

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

for questions related to labor and workforce development, policies, workforce investment and other key issues:

One Ashburton Place

Suite 2112

Boston, MA 02108

Tel: 617-626-7122

TTY: 617-727-4404

Fax: 617-727-1090

Still Have Questions?

Click this link to get answers to all your Massachusetts unemployment questions: Massachusetts Unemployment FAQ

Maybe We Can Help:

If you can't find the answer to your question, you can fill out the comment form below and I will answer your question ASAP, or you can ask the The Unemployment Expert or you can post your question in the Unemployment Forum

Comments

# Jonathan A. 2010-08-26 20:16

I have a question about attending college while unemployed. Also There seems to be a problem with my payments. Is there anything I can to resolve this. thank You Jonathan A.

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# matt 2010-10-04 13:45

I have been unemployed for WAY to long........over a year and a half. My company closed in March of 2008 and I have been struggling to live off of $300 a week! I have had 28 SERIOUS interviews and countless apps put in and I keep getting the same bs response, "I'm over qualified", which is getting ridiculous now! Now that I'm done venting I do have a question about my benefits. Last week when I filed my benefits I received this message

"The following message was provided to you on October 3, 2010. This information may no longer be applicable.
Our records indicate that you have no benefits remaining on this claim. If you are still unemployed after March 6, 2010 and you worked in the past 15 months, you may file a new claim"

I figured it was glitch in the system, but I received the same message yesterday when I filed and I'm not sure what it means. I mean March was 7 months ago. I cant call until Thursday. The extension I was on was for 6 weeks if that makes any difference.

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# Mary 2012-03-02 16:35

Is there a way for me to contact Matt? I have an opportunity for someone who is hard working and determined, as it sounds like he is. I understand that our emails do not show up, but if you could please forward this to him, in case he is still unemployed, I'd appreciate it!

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# linda 2010-10-06 10:52

If you were paid on a weekly basis by the same company for 10 years doing the same job as an independent contractor and were given a 1099 each year and they then say they no longer need your services can you collect unemployment benefits. This happened in Massachusetts.

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# Kirk 2010-10-19 20:40

I got let go from the company I had been with with the past 4 years. The company is based in New Hampshire, but employs several workers in Massachusetts. I live in MA and pay state taxes. It's been 4 weeks and I found out there is a problem collecting since my former company does not have an Unemployment insurance ID in Massachusetts. They were notified that they were supposed to have one so now they had to go apply for one which means at least another 2-3 weeks before I can start getting a check. Can I report them? This can't be legal.

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# Jamoe 2010-11-10 13:47

will I get another extension after my 6 week ext

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# Barbara S. 2010-11-29 13:20

Unemployed since 5/2009. I took the Medical Security form to the local Career Center to ask them some questions. I was asking the question at the reception desk, when a women came out of an office and told me she could help me. I assumed she had creditable information. Do the withdrawals I take from my IRA count as income? “You earned it, so it’s income.” It seemed correct to me. Adding the amounts up - I was not eligible. Now I find out that was not true, and should not have been included. How can I correct my mistake? Sould I go back and file all the old claims? How do I apeal this? I will soon be off unemployment too.

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# Linda R 2010-12-03 12:03

My daughter worked PT while attending college in MA during the 2008 & 2009 school years. She graduated 5/20/10 with a MSW and took a manager/therapist position at an eating disorder treatment cent in Denver, CO. beginning 6/1/10. A short time later she took her test to receive her LSW and expected to work there as a therapist with an assigned supervisor for the required 2 yrs. to get her LICSW. She developed the program she was hired to manage but never got the support after numerous promises to get the program off and running. Therefore, she has worked all this time without clients and a supervisor so it doesn't count for credit towards her LICSW. At this time she would like to quit the job and return to MA. Would she be able to file for unemployment in MA if she was not laid off? Thank you in advance for your input.

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# Jeffrey M 2010-12-13 07:56

I have been unemployed since Sept when I filed a claim. It was refiled several weeks later. I have heard nothing from Mass unemployment as to whether I will receive it or not. How do I find out what is going on? It appears to be a long wait time!

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# NJR 2010-12-21 18:32

I went for my appeal, today i went in scared very nervous the people from the former job were there. I was very honest, I sat there and listened to one person speak and he lied 2x. And this was a person that was suppose to help me at work and the person i am complaining about he stuck up for. I'm still in shock. But unemployment wants to continue my appeal to a second one is that good or bad

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# Audrey 2011-03-31 15:46

I was placed on emergency off duty status, unpaid, on Feb 16th. As there was no just cause for my employer's action I expected to be back to work within a week. A scheduled interview for Feb 28th was cancelled for unknown reasons. An interview was finally held on March 2nd. I expected a resolution but none was had. At first I wasn't sure I was eligible for UI because technically I still have a job, I'm just not getting paid. I didn't apply for benefits until I had been unpaid for a month. I thought as long as I could prove I had been unpaid since Feb 16 I would get benefits retroactive to that date. Now I've been denied the retroactive benefits and must appeal. This seems unfair. Any advice on how to handle the appeal? I am in debt and fear foreclosure. I need that money!

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# Janet 2011-08-18 13:11

I am filing for Mass Health and they need a DUA Statement showing my weekly Benefit Rate.

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# Jason 2011-09-21 18:57

Don't bother with the Medical Security Program. I was approved and even though I had all the proper paperwork, the state went out of its way to come up with any excuse not to pay me. They denied 6 months of claims totaling 2400$. 3 months of claims were denied because 1 month had my dental included and I had to provide proof of payment even though I didn't want to be reimbursed for the dental portion. The other 2 months that were included in the claim with nothing wrong were denied for no reason. I provided the state with the information they needed and the claim was denied again because it was already sent in. Same with the other months. One month was denied because I mistakenly listed June as having 31 days. It's a statewide scam because you have to take Cobra when you lose your job even if you can't afford it. You are not allowed by Massachusetts to get your own health insurance. They tell you don't worry, just apply to MSP, pay outrageous claims, and then don't get reimbursed for any of it. If you miss a Cobra payment, Massachusetts bars you from getting ANY health insurance. Blue cross has tons of money and I know have to take cash advances on my credit card to pay my rent.

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# Sandy 2011-12-26 12:12

I was laid off from my job in August 2011. I found a new job in October 2011. I took the job right away even though its over 70 miles from my house. I have a 3 hour commute each way to work so I spend 6 hours a day in the car. I am having difficulty finding care for my 2 small children because my days are so long. And I'm not getting to see my kids during the week. I jumped at the first job that was offered to me because I was afraid I wouldn't find anything else. Is there anything I can do? Can I go on unemployment until I find another position? Working 8 hrs a day in the office and then 6 hrs in the car doesn't leave me much time to search for a new opportunity while in my current position.

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# wuson 2012-01-05 14:44

How can i check my unemployment benefit history (DUA) lets say in the last 10 years? Haveing a hard time finding out, The years i claim. Any thing would help knowing or see pay stubs.
What steps i have to take? PLZ HELP ME.

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# CRAIG 2012-01-12 17:46

I have been called back to work for a couple of weeks after being layed off for a month. When they lay me off again until march or so will I have to wait another three weeks to collect?
Another question I had was how long does it take to get my alt. monetary determination? I mailed all my pay stubs as requested.
Haven't heard anything yet, going on two weeks!

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# Ben 2012-01-23 09:18

I have been waiting for over a month for an adjudicator to return my calls. I can only leave messages with my informations. I know things are busy but I have not received my checks in over a month now and can not pay my bills. I have a week before I am evicted from my apartment. I have been told all I can do is wait for her call. Can I do anything else?

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# marlene 2012-02-19 20:09

my original claim was approved by DUA then my former employer requested a hearing not agreeing with the decision. i went in very nervous by immediate supervisor along with an HR rep and an attorney showed up, very upset both women not being honest about the information stating they werent told certain facts, i kept to my morals and was very honest, just recieved letter overturning the first decision qualifying me for payments. I can appeal the current decision disqualifying me, am i wasting my time since they overturned it is it basically set in stone?, also do they continue paying me weekly until the appeal process or am i at a stand still with nothing to support my family? please help with any information i would rather be working but until i find a job this feeds my family. once decision is overturned does this basically mean its not worth appealing

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# Sally 2012-03-08 12:30

I am taking an unpaid leave of absence for personal reasons from a job I've held for 19+years. My company has agreed to grant me a leave and is not terminating my employment. If I return to my employer after my leave and they no longer have a job for me, would I then be eligible for unemployment?

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# anthony c 2012-04-01 15:30

I am going for an appeal because an adjuster decided I was overpaid $1500. They want me to pay it back and are kicking me off unemployment. What happened was that I was already collecting and I took a temporary job that ended, the employer said I quit. I received benefits for 5 more weeks before they stopped it saying because I quit the temp job I can no longer collect. I didn't quit, the job was over at the holidays. Do I have any chance of winning this appeal?

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# Kate 2012-05-09 08:55

I have been battling my former employer for unemployment benefits since March 11th of 2012. Mid April I was finally found in the right and began receiving benefits. Just recently I received an appeal notification in the mail dated May 3, 2012. do they have the right to appeal at such a late time?

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