Mississippi Unemployment

Mississippi Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Mississippi's unemployment insurance benefits program is designed to help ease the state's overall economic burden by providing a temporary source of income for workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

In Mississippi, employers pay all unemployment taxes, and no employee wages are ever taken to help cover program costs. The provision of UI benefits helps maintain financial stability for many unemployed workers and their families across the state of Mississippi.

Mississippi Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Mississippi Unemployment Benefits?

While no eligibility determination is final until an unemployment claim is reviewed, state law declares that a claimant generally can be found eligible for UI benefits by meeting the following eligibility requirements:

• The claimant is unemployed through no fault of their own.

• The claimant files a weekly claim as required.

• The claimant can work. They are mentally and physically able to work a normal workweek for the type of work the claimant does

• The claimant must be available to work. The claimant must be willing to accept full-time work when it is offered, along with having appropriate transportation and childcare arrangements already in place.

The claimant must actively be seeking work. Regularly making a good faith effort to find available jobs

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Mississippi

As soon as you become unemployed, you should file a claim online for unemployment insurance benefits or call 601-493-9427.

Your first task is registering with the Mississippi Department of Employment Services online portal. Whether you want to file an initial claim or search for a new job, you must register here first. Through this process, you set up your username and PIN so that you can regularly access the system.

Once you've set up your account, you can follow the step-by-step instructions within the portal for completing and submitting your initial claim.

How To Manage Weekly Unemployment Benefits

Part of the requirement for continuing to receive unemployment assistance is submitting information weekly about your job search activities, along with reporting any income you might have made from part-time or contract work.

Weekly claim certifications can be filed online using the same username and PIN you established when submitting your initial claim. The process consists of answering simple questions about your job search activities for the previous week. Failure to file weekly certification claims could delay your UI benefits.

How To Appeal a Decision

Either the claimant or the employer can submit a request for appeal and participate in an appeals hearing if unhappy with a determination regarding an initial claim. If you disagree with a decision, you have 14 days from the mailing date of your determination letter to request an appeal. You may do so by contacting the Mississippi Department of Employment Security Call Center at 601-321-6000, or you may mail a written request to the following address:

MDES Appeals Department P.O. Box 1699 Jackson MS, 39215-1699

You also may call the Appeals Department in the Mississippi state office at 601-321-6294.

Reporting Fraud

Fraud and abuse cost a substantial amount of money every single year, diverting much-needed assistance from Mississippi's unemployed workers. You can help prevent financial loss by reporting suspected fraud to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

You may do so through any of the contact methods listed below:

Email: bpc@mdes.ms.gov
Phone: 601-493-9427
Fax: 601-321-6471

Mail:
Mississippi Department of Employment Security
Benefit Payment Control Department
P.O. Box 23089
Jackson, MS 39225-3089

Mississippi Unemployment Office Locations