How to Apply for Unemployment in Illinois

File paperwork electronically to receive unemployment benefits.

The unemployment process is not like it used to be with long lines and rude customer service. With the popularity of technology, unemployed applicants can apply for insurance, receive payments, set up direct deposit and receive paperwork without visiting the Illinois Department of Employment Services office. If the procedures are done correctly, a person can avoid meeting IDES employees altogether.

Things You'll Need

• Records of all pay stubs in the current year
• Calculator
• Voided check (optional for direct deposit)

Instructions

1. Visit the Illinois Department of Employment Services website (see Resources).

2. Click on the link to "Start your Application" located in the middle of the page.

3. Fill in all requested information, including your Social Security number, contact information, recent and previous employers in the past year, gross earnings, school status, pension or retirement pay, worker's compensation pay and holiday pay.

4. Mail a Direct Deposit Request with the information filled out completely and a voided check if you want money deposited into your checking or savings account. (Note: If you do not want to include a voided check, take the Direct Deposit form to your bank, and have a representative fill in your banking information with a bank representative's signature. You also have the option of having money deposited onto a debit card, but one of these options must be chosen.)

5. Look out for a UI Claimant Wage Information Sheet in the mail. It should come within a week, and the letter will spell out how much you have made at the employer that will cover your unemployment, as well as the biweekly unemployment earnings that IDES is willing to disburse to you.

6. Make every scheduled call to Tele-Serve that the State of Illinois (IDES) requires. The biweekly call filing date will also be on the UI Claimant Wage Information Sheet. Have your gross earnings (if any) ready before making the call to [phone].

7. Contact the nearest IDES office if you do not see your payment within three weeks. (Note: For general questions, use the "Contact Us" tab on IDES' website. For more detailed information, you may have to visit the office.)

Tips & Warnings

• IDES holds an unemployment applicant's first check until the last week of possible unemployment insurance.

• IDES uses an automated system, and the number that is given out to your local IDES office also has an automated system. The likelihood of speaking to someone directly is not going to happen until you visit an IDES office.

Resources

• IDES