Get Unemployment Assistance
What is Unemployment Insurance?
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligibility for benefits is based on past wages, reason for job separation, availability and job search requirements. Claims are effective on the date they are filed and are not retroactive to the last day worked.
The funding for UI benefits comes from taxes paid by employers. Workers do not pay into the UI program.
Georgia 2021 House Bill 1090 amended Code Section 34-8-193 of Georgia Employment Security Law to create an adjustable maximum number of weeks of regular UI eligibility to range from 14 to 26 weeks based upon a designated average statewide unemployment rate. The maximum number of weeks will change twice each calendar year dependent upon the average statewide unemployment rate published for April and October. The final unemployment rates for April are published in June and October rates are published in December. The rates published in June (for April) will apply to all regular UI claims filed with an effective date the first Sunday in July through the last Sunday in December. The rates published in December (for October) will apply to all claims filed with an effective date the first Sunday in January through the last Saturday in June.
The maximum number of UI weeks of entitlement cannot be appealed. Monetary eligibility for regular UI is based solely upon legislation.
Therefore, when calculating the maximum number of weeks potentially payable, an individual with sufficient wages for the base period can have monetary eligibility from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 14-26 weeks, as appropriate.
Filing an Unemployment Claim
An unemployment claim for regular state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits can be filed by an individual online or by reporting to your local career center. You must first set up your MyUI Claimant Portal account by creating a password and personal identification number (PIN). The password will be used to access MyUI and all online unemployment-claim related services.
Create/Forgot a Password and/or PIN
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is currently not available under state or federal law.
State Extended Benefits (SEB) is currently not available under state or federal law.
Individuals who reside outside of the state of Georgia and have not earned Georgia wages in the past two years may have eligibility in another state. See Interstate Claims.
Access MyUI Claimant Portal to apply for unemployment benefits, set up an employer-filed claim profile, request a weekly payment, update your contact information and payment method, and much more.
Affidavit to Verify Lawful Presence in the U.S.
Georgia law requires that all applicants for UI benefits who are 18 years of age or older attest they are:
- a United States citizen, or
- a legal permanent resident, or
- a non-citizen legally present in the United States.
The GDOL performs electronic verification of your lawful presence in the United States with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The DDS validates the identity of individuals who indicate they have a Georgia-issued driver’s license or identification card. The GDOL will notify if you are required to complete the affidavit.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must also present acceptable, unexpired employment authorization document(s). The GDOL will verify your registration status with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. You cannot receive benefit payments until your lawful presence in the U.S. is verified.
Applicant
Status Affidavit DOL-1054A
When filing a claim, you should have:
- Your social security number, as a claim cannot be filed without a social security number
- Valid/unexpired government-issued picture identification
- Employer-issued separation notice or letter, if available
- Names, addresses, and dates of employment of all employers for the last 18 months
- Alien number and expiration date for non-citizens
- SF-50 or SF-8 form and paystubs for federal employment in the last two years
- Most recent DD-214, orders to report or of release, military earnings/leave statement, or W-2 form(s) for former military personnel
- Personal banking account and routing number for direct deposit
- A copy of your most recently filed income tax return or quarterly estimated income tax payment record(s), if applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and you are self-employed or a farmer
After Filing a Claim
After Filing a Claim, watch the video Apply for Unemployment Benefits and read the UI Claimant Handbook.
Apply for Unemployment Benefits
View the Apply for Unemployment Benefits video on for an overview of the Georgia UI Program and steps to file a claim.
UI
Claimant Handbook DOL-414
View or print this publication to learn about UI benefits, rights, and responsibilities and what individuals receiving benefits may expect from the program.
UI
Claimant Handbook DOL-414SP (Manual del reclamante Seguro de Desempleo)
Vea o imprima la versión en Español de esta publicación, para informarse acerca de los derechos al Seguro de Desempleo, sus responsabilidades y lo que se puede esperar como beneficiario de este programa.
Register for Employment Services
Individuals receiving unemployment benefits must register for employment services.
Employment services registration
Request Weekly UI Payments
Once you file your claim, you will be required to certify your eligibility for each week you claim benefits and submit your work search for each week of benefits claimed. You may claim benefits online, by telephone using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or by paper.
Request Weekly Benefit Payment
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System
Claimants who are unable to certify by phone or internet can print, complete, and submit this form to your local career center.
Weekly
UI Certification Form DOL-421
Los reclamantes que no están en condiciones de certificar por teléfono o por internet puede imprimir, completar y enviar este formulario.
Weekly
UI Certification Form DOL-421SP (Formulario de certificación de UI semanales)
Claimant trainees may claim weekly UI benefits while in approved training by printing, completing, and submitting this form.
UI
Claimant Trainee Weekly Certification - DOL-460 Fillable
Claimant trainees may claim weekly UI benefits prior to beginning approved training by printing, completing, and submitting this form.
UI
Claimant Trainee Enrollment Certification - DOL-460B Fillable
Weekly Benefit Payments
Payments are made by either direct deposit or debit card. The preferred method is direct deposit into your personal checking or savings account. If you do not enroll in direct deposit, payments will be deposited to your Georgia UI Way2Go Debit MasterCard® which works like a standard debit card. You may update your preferred payment method anytime on the MyUI Claimant Portal.
Weekly Work Search
If you request unemployment insurance benefits of any type, you are required to make a good faith effort to find another job as soon as possible. You can only be paid for weeks during which you actively seek work. Unless the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) specifically exempts you under law from this requirement, you are required to keep a detailed record of your work search activities and submit evidence of your activities online on the MyUI Claimant Portal or by fax.
Learn About Work Search Requirements
View Previously Submitted Weekly Work Search Records
Weekly
Work Search Requirements Frequently Asked Questions
Weekly
Work Search Record - DOL 2798
Print and use this form to record all weekly job search activity. Work search records may be requested for verification.
Weekly
Work Search Record (Búsqueda de registros semanales de trabajo) DOL-SP-2798
Imprima y use este formulario para registrar todas las actividades de Búsqueda de empleo semanal. Los registros de Búsqueda de trabajo pueden ser solicitados como verificación.
Filing an Appeal
If you disagree with a determination on your claim, you may file an appeal by visiting your MyUI Claimant Portal. Read the UI Appeals Handbook for more information.
UI
Appeals Handbook
View or print this publication for information on how the unemployment insurance benefits appeals process works.
UI
Appeals Handbook (Apelaciones al Seguro de Desempleo)
Vea o imprima la versión en Español de esta publicación, para informarse del proceso de apelaciones del Seguro de Desempleo.
More UI Related Services
View or Update Your Income Tax Withholding Options
Make or update your Income Tax Withholding election.
IRS Form 1099-G for UI Payments
Access your 1099-G. Unemployment compensation is taxable income and must be reported yearly even if benefits received have been repaid.
Repayment of Overpaid Benefits
Make electronic payments online to repay overpayment debts.
Overpayment and Waiver Request Information
Learn about UI overpayments and how to request a non-fraud overpayment waiver.
Report UI Fraud
Report suspected cases of unemployment benefit fraud, identity theft, job refusals and failed pre-employment drug screening tests.
GDOL Rules
Link to the rules of the Georgia Department of Labor which set forth operating procedures not covered in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).
Georgia Code
Access Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) to view laws relevant to employment, unemployment insurance, and select safety issues.