Alabama Unemployment

Alabama Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The state of Alabama’s Unemployment Compensation Division administers unemployment insurance benefits to workers who either are unemployed or have had their work hours dramatically reduced through no fault of their own. The program helps provide stability for Alabama’s economy.

Alabama’s unemployment compensation program is financed by employer taxes, both state and federal. All taxes are paid by Alabama employers. Employees do not pay any taxes toward the administration of this program.

Alabama Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in Alabama?

Most Alabama residents are eligible for unemployment benefits if all of the following is true:

• The claimant must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before becoming unemployed, as defined by Alabama law.
• The claimant must be unemployed through no fault of his or her own.
• The claimant must be physically and mentally able to work.
• The claimant must be available to work.
• The claimant must actively be seeking available jobs.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Alabama

The preferred method for submitting your initial unemployment claim is online. You must set up an online account, which you’ll use to submit your weekly benefit payment and to check anything regarding the status of your claim.

If you don’t have access to the Internet, you may also submit your unemployment claim from any touch-tone phone by calling the Initial Claims Line at 866-234-5382. Your call will be fielded by an electronic Interactive Voice Response system, which will ask you some initial questions. You will then be connected to a customer service representative to complete the submission of your initial claim.

How To Manage Your Unemployment Benefits

Once you’ve submitted your initial claim for unemployment compensation, you must continue submitting a weekly claim for each week you receive benefits. You will need to show that you remain eligible – chiefly that you are able and available to work.

The weekly benefit certification process consists of answering questions about your work search activities for the previous week, along with reporting any wages you earned and any offers of employment you received.

There are two ways to file your weekly certification. You can certify online using the account you set up when you filed your initial claim, or you may call the weekly certification number you received when you filed your initial benefits claim by phone. Be sure to follow all instructions completely.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If either an employee or employer feels that the decision regarding an unemployment benefits claim was based on incorrect or incomplete information, or that the law was not correctly applied, either party may request an appeal.

All appeals must be submitted in writing and must include the claimant’s full name, last four digits of their Social Security number, the detailed reason for the appeal, and the signature of the requestor.

Appeals should be submitted using the state of Alabama’s online appeals form.

How Do I Report Fraud?

The Alabama Department of Labor is committed to preserving the integrity of the state’s unemployment trust fund and protecting Alabama residents from fraudulent unemployment claims and identity theft. The department conducts many types of fraud and abuse investigations throughout the year. This helps to ensure vital financial assistance is directed toward the Alabama residents who need it most.

If you suspect a worker of fraudulently collecting unemployment compensation, or if you have been the victim of identity theft, please make a report using Alabama’s online fraud reporting form.

Alabama Unemployment Office Locations