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Wisconsin Unemployment

Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program provides temporary replacement of some income for Wisconsin residents who have lost employment through no fault of their own. 

The program is jointly financed through federal and state employer payroll taxes, and administered by the Unemployment Insurance Division of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Wisconsin Unemployment Services

Website https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui
Private Website Wisconsin Unemployment
Phone 844-910-3661
Email Contact Form
Apply Online https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply
Weekly Certification https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/weeklyclaim
Appeal a Denial https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uibola/appeal.htm
Find a Local Office Office Directory
Report Fraud https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/fraud/report.htm
Coronavirus Updates https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/covid19

How To Qualify for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

If you have sufficient work history and your employment was terminated through no fault of your own, you may qualify for unemployment assistance in Wisconsin. Claimants also must be able and available to work if offered new employment, and you should be prepared to document your activities related to looking for a new job.

  • You may apply for unemployment insurance benefits when any of the following are true:
  • You are 100% unemployed,
  • You are partially unemployed – your weekly hours and/or earnings have been reduced
  • You expect to be unemployed within the next 13 weeks and would like to start your benefits period early

Please note that your claim begins the very first week you apply for UI benefit, so don’t wait. Make sure you apply for unemployment compensation during the first week you’re unemployed so that you avoid any loss of benefit payment.

Benefit Payments and Duration

Base Period First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base Period Last 4 completed quarters
Duration of Benefits Weekly Payment Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year)
Min Max
14-26 weeks $54 $370 $9,620

How to Apply for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

Claimants are encouraged to submit their initial claim online at my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov. Once you’ve accepted the terms and conditions, you can set up your account, complete with username and password, and then complete and submit the online unemployment claim form.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

While you are collecting unemployment benefits, you need to submit a separate UI claim for each week you would like to receive benefits.

 The UI claim will generally ask you to address the following questions:

  • The reason you are no longer working
  • Whether you are currently unemployed or working reduced hours
  • Whether you are able and available for work
  • Whether you have declined any job offers or referrals to a job
  • Whether you are actively looking for work
  • Whether you have received any pay or pension payment since your previous weekly claim

All questions apply only to the specific calendar week for which you are requesting a weekly benefit. You may receive your benefits either via direct deposit or via a prepaid Visa debit card.

Filing an Appeal

If your original claim is denied and you’d like to appeal that decision, you can do so either online or by mailing or faxing a statement outlining why you are appealing the decision. Either the employee or the employer may request an appeal.

Contact Information
UI Hearing Office
P.O. Box 7975
Madison, WI 53707
Fax: 608-327-6498

Reporting Fraud

If you suspect unemployment insurance fraud, the best way to report it is through the online form. It’s generally the fastest way to make your report. You also can call the fraud hotline at 800-909-9472, where specialists are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Another option is to mail a statement to the following address:

Unemployment Insurance
Attn: Program Integrity
P.O. Box 7905
Madison, WI 53707

Include all of the following information:

  • Name of person allegedly committing fraud
  • Their full address
  • Their social security number
  • Their phone number
  • The specific nature of the fraud
  • Date fraud began
  • If the claimant is working – name of employer
  • Employer’s address and phone number
  • Your name, address, and phone number (optional)

Wisconsin Unemployment Office Locations

Adams County Unemployment Office 401 North Main Street
Adams, WI 53910
608-339-9559
Ashland Unemployment Office 422 Third Street West
Suite 200
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-9141
Polk County Unemployment Office 317 A Main Street
PO Box 278
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
715-485-3115
Sauk County Unemployment Office 505 Broadway Street
Room 232
Baraboo, WI 53913
608-355-4810
Chippewa County Unemployment Office 2829 County Hwy I
Suite 2A
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
715-723-2248
Pepin County Unemployment Office 403 – 3rd Avenue West
Suite 200
Durand, WI 54736
715-672-8801
Eau Claire County Unemployment Office 221 West Madison St
Suite 140-A
Eau Claire, WI 54703
715-836-3036
Walworth County Unemployment Office 400 County Road H
Gateway Technical College
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-5180
Southwest Wisconsin Unemployment Office 1800 Bronson Blvd
Fennimore, WI 53809
608-822-2334
Fond du Lac Area Job and Career Center 349 North Peters Avenue
Fond Du Lac, WI 54935
920-929-3900
Brown County Unemployment Office 301 N. Adams St.
Suite 130
Green Bay, WI 54301
920-448-6760
Hayward Unemployment Office 15618 Windrose Lane
Suite 106
Hayward, WI 54843
715-635-2175
Rock County Unemployment Office 1900 Center Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
608-741-3400
Workforce Development Center 874 Collins Road
Jefferson, WI 53549
920-674-7500
Kenosha County Unemployment Office 8600 Sheridan Road
Kenosha, WI 53143
262-697-4500
Menominee County/Tribal Unemployment Office North 172 State Hwy. 47/55
Keshena, WI 54135
715-799-5600
Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Center 2615 East Avenue South
Suite 101
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-789-5627
Ladysmith Unemployment Office 1101 Lake Avenue W # 1
Ladysmith, WI 54848
715-661-1485
Dane County Unemployment Office 1819 Aberg Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
608-288-2459
Bay East 3733 Dewey Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
920-683-2888
Marinette County Unemployment Office 1605 University Avenue.
Marinette,, WI 54143
715-732-7840
Marshfield Unemployment Office 211 E. Second Street
Suite 123
Marshfield, WI 54449
715-321-1011
Medford Unemployment Office 1001 Progressive Avenue
Medford, WI 54451
715-762-2477
Fox Cities Unemployment Office 1802 Appleton Road
Entrance #4
Menasha, WI 54952
920-997-3272
Dunn County Unemployment Office 401 Technology Drive East
Menomonie, WI 54751
715-232-7380
Unemployment Office 4201 North 27th Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53216
414-203-8500
Milwaukee Unemployment Office 4201 N. 27th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53216
414-874-0318
Milwaukee Southeast Unemployment Office 2701 S Chase Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-389-6607
Milwaukee Walker`s Square Unemployment Office 816 W. National Ave.
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-302-2668
Southeast Wisconsin Unemployment Office 1915 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414-374-1800
Clark County Unemployment Office 501 Hewett Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
715-743-4631
Park Falls Unemployment Office 400 South 4th Avenue
City Hall
Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-2477
Phillips Unemployment Office 1408 Pine Ridge Road
Phillips, WI 54555
715-339-7255
Racine County Workforce Solutions 1717 Taylor Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
262-638-6481
Northern Advantage Unemployment Office 51 A North Brown Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-365-1500
Barron County Unemployment Office 331 South Main St
Rice Lake, WI 54868
715-234-6302
St. Croix Valley Unemployment Office 704-B North Main Street
River Falls, WI 54022
715-426-0388
Shawano County Unemployment Office 607 East Elizabeth Street
Shawano, WI 54166
715-524-2511
Sheboygan County Unemployment Office 3620 Wilgus Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-208-5856
Spooner Unemployment Office 522 Service Road
Spooner, WI 54801
715-635-2175
Door County Unemployment Office 1300 Egg Harbor Road
Suite 124
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920-743-6915
Superior Unemployment Office 1805 North 14th Street
Suite 1
Superior, WI 54880
715-392-7800
Waukesha Comprehensive Center 327 E Broadway
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-695-8056
Marathon County Unemployment Office 731 North 1st Street
Suite 4000
Wausau, WI 54403
715-261-8700
Washington County Workforce Development Center 2200 Green Tree Road
West Bend, WI 53090
262-335-5300
Wisconsin Rapids Unemployment Office 320 W Grand Ave
Suite 102
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
715-422-5000