How to Claim Your Stepchildren on Unemployment in Massachusetts
Massachusetts unemployment benefits give you an addition allowance for each dependent child you have. Dependent children are those under 18, unemployed and who receive the majority of their financial support from you. This can include stepchildren as well. To include children in your unemployment claim, you must list them when you apply to the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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Instructions
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Call the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development claims line between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to file your unemployment claim. Press "1" to file your unemployment claim. Select the appropriate language. Press "1" again to start filing your unemployment application.
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Follow the automated prompts to provide your Social Security number and date of birth using the telephone keypad. Wait on hold while you are transferred to an agent to take your unemployment application over the phone.
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Answer yes when asked whether you have dependent children. Provide the information about the children, including their names, date of birth and Social Security numbers.
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Confirm with the agent that she has submitted your application.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also apply for Massachusetts unemployment in person at a local office (see Resources).
It takes about three weeks to process a Massachusetts unemployment claim, so file as quickly possible after your loss of work.
If you don't have your stepchildren's Social Security numbers at the time of your application, you can provide them later. Call back into the system, dial "1" to indicate you want to talk about your claim, select your language and dial "4" for customer assistance.
Only one person can claim a specific dependent on his unemployment benefits at a time. If you attempt to claim stepchildren someone else is already claiming and receive dependency benefits for them, you will have to pay the funds back when the Department of Labor and Workforce Development finds out.
