Alaska Unemployment

Alaska Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Alaska’s unemployment insurance benefits program provides unemployed workers with financial assistance while they look for new work. Much of the work in Alaska is seasonal and the state has vast remote areas.

Alaska unemployment benefits serve not only to assist individual unemployed Alaskans and their families, but to provide a stabilizing influence on local economies and Alaska’s economy overall.

Alaska Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in Alaska?

Unemployed workers in Alaska must meet the following eligibility requirements for unemployment compensation:

• Earned wages from an employer who paid unemployment taxes during the base period for review, as defined by Alaska law
• Available for full-time employment when it is offered, including having child care and transportation arranged
• Actively seeking and reporting weekly work searches and registering for work as required
• Physically and mentally able to seek and accept suitable full-time employment

Alaska residents who are instructed to register for work must register online at AlaskaJobs to receive unemployment compensation.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Alaska?

The easiest way to apply for unemployment benefits is to submit your initial claim online. Alaska’s online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you’d prefer, you can also call an unemployment benefits claim center.

When you submit your initial claim online, you will have the opportunity to create an online account. You can use this account to check the status of your claim and submit your weekly benefit certification. You will be required to use the same myAlaska account each time you access the unemployment benefits website.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

While you are receiving unemployment compensation, you must regularly certify your eligibility. Weekly certification keeps your claim active and eligible to receive your weekly benefit payments. Requests that are submitted late may be disqualified.

MyAlaska is the quickest and easiest way to manage your account and submit your weekly benefit claims. Simply log in, select View Your Services, then Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

Filing an Appeal

You may appeal any determination associated with your claim if you disagree with a decision. To request a hearing, you may phone, fax, mail, or email your request within 30 days of the date on which your decision letter was postmarked.

You may submit your appeal request via any of the following methods:

Fax:     907-465-3374
Email: appeals@alaska.gov
Phone: 800-232-4762

Mail:    
Appeal Tribunal Office
P.O. Box 115509
Juneau, AK 99811-5509

Reporting Fraud

Unemployment fraud consists of knowingly making a false statement, misrepresenting a material fact, or withholding key information to collect unemployment benefits. Unemployment fraud in Alaska is subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and potential imprisonment.

If you suspect that someone is fraudulently collecting benefits, please make a report via any of the methods listed below:

Email: uifraud@alaska.gov
Fax: 907-269-4835
Phone: 907-269-4880 or 877-272-4635

Alaska Unemployment Office Locations