Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

What does the unemployment insurance benefits system look like in Wisconsin? The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development outlines the unemployment benefits Wisconsin has in place. You can find access to all kinds of resources available to the unemployed. You can learn about work-share programs, labor law training, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council (UIAC), and other legal resources.

Wisconsin has several programs to help the unemployed, including a job center, re-employment services, and a trade adjustment assistance program. There are also several resources which the disabled and unemployed may access. These resources help one find unemployment insurance and work.

While it’s always a good idea to apply for your state’s unemployment insurance, you should also apply for Social Security disability if you are disabled, especially as a result of military service.

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

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for Wisconsin unemployment insurance, you do have to meet a few eligibility requirements.

First, you need to have earned a certain amount of wages in the 12 to 18 months before filing your initial claim. If you meet the wage conditions for unemployment insurance:

• You have been paid covered employment wages for 2 or more quarters of your base period
• You have at least a $54 weekly employment benefit
• Your wages of the 3 lowest earning calendar quarters from your base period are at least 4 times the amount of your weekly benefit amount,
• Your total base period wages are 35 times your weekly benefit amount

If you meet the wage criteria, the next thing to look at is your reason for leaving your last job. If you were fired unfairly, quit for a good reason, or let go because your employer either could not afford to pay you or did not have enough work for you to do, you could qualify for UI benefits. However, if you quit for no good reason, were fired due to misconduct, or have been refusing work, you will not qualify.

Lastly, you must be actively searching for work and willing to take available jobs that come up. If you are not searching for work, or are not ready or able to take available jobs, you may not receive unemployment benefits.

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits

The easiest way to apply for unemployment benefits is to submit an online application. When applying, you’ll need to have some basic personal information and some forms filled out:

• Email and/or phone number
• Current address
• Social Security number
• Wisconsin driver’s license or identification number
• Work history for the past 18 months (including dates at each job, reason for leaving, and employer contact info)
• (if not a US citizen): alien registration number, document number, and expiration date
• (if served in the military within the past 18 months): form DD-214
• (if a federal civilian employee): form SF-50 or SF-8
• (if a member of a union): name and local number of the union hall
• (if you want direct deposit for UI benefit payments): bank routing number and your account number

Calculating Unemployment Benefits

So how are unemployment benefits calculated? The process for determining benefits in Wisconsin depends on the claimant’s wages. Social security looks at wages paid during your base period when determining eligibility and amount. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 calendar quarters (not including the one you’re in when you file the claim). They will determine a potential weekly benefit amount by calculating the total covered wages from the high quarter (the quarter from the base period with the highest wages). The weekly benefit is 4% of the covered wages from the high quarter. The minimum weekly benefit payment is $54 (high quarter income of $1,350), and the maximum is $370 (high quarter income of $9,250).

If you meet the last 2 requirements, your weekly payment has a good chance of going through.

Maintaining Eligibility and Reporting Requirements

In order to maintain your unemployment insurance benefits, there are 4 things you need to be doing.

• Register with the Wisconsin Job Center
• Do 4 or more valid work search actions every week
• File a weekly claim certification every week
• Report your earnings every week

Appeals and Disqualifications

How do I appeal a decision if I do not get unemployment insurance or do not get the benefit amount I feel I deserve?

You can file an appeal online or mail it to the UI office. In your appeal, include the following:

• A copy of the determination or its 9-digit number (top left corner of the page)
• Claimant’s name and Social Security number
• Name and address of the business
• Any dates/times that you, witnesses, and/or representatives would not be able to attend a hearing
• Any other accommodations you would require at a hearing

What automatically disqualifies you from getting unemployment insurance in Wisconsin?

Some actions that would immediately disqualify you from receiving UI benefits include:

• Being fired for misconduct or refusing work without a good reason
• Not completing the required job search actions
• Not able to work if a job is offered
• Outside the US, US territory, or Canada for more than 48 hours
• Unemployed due to a strike or labor dispute
• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• You cannot receive SSDI and UI benefits at the same time, however, you can receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits and UI benefits.

Free Advice for Benefits

Benefits.com is dedicated to helping people receive the benefits they deserve. Disability and unemployment benefits are available to to help people with the problems that can arise from unemployment and disability.

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