How to File an Unemployment Claim in Kentucky

It is important to file an unemployment claim quickly if you have recently lost your job in Kentucky. Unemployment insurance benefits cannot start until you file the claim. If your have lost or job or your hours have been reduced from no fault of your own, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance. You may also be eligible if you were fired for reasons that did not amount to misconduct, or if you quit your job due to a change in employment conditions or due to a hazardous or hostile work environment.

Instructions

1. If you do not have regular access to the internet, you can file an unemployment claim in Kentucky by calling the Division of Unemployment Insurance at [phone]. You can use Kentucky Relay Service 1-800-648-6057.

2. If you plan to register over the Internet, first gather the following information prior to filing your unemployment claim in Kentucky:

   1. Social Security number

   2. Your complete mailing address

   3. The name, address, and phone numbers of past employers (full or part-time) over the last 18 months

   4. The exact day you began work at each job.

   5. The last day you worked at each job.

   6. Your Alien Registration number is required if you are not a U.S. citizen.

3. Use the Internet unemployment claims system by clicking the link in the References section. You will need to set up a new user account by entering your personal information and select a personal identification number.

4. Fill out all of the information required in each form. The unemployment claim will take about 30 minutes to fill out. Continue to enter information using the back and next buttons at the bottom of the page to go forward and back to the different pages. Do not stop entering information because if you leave the website idle for 15 minutes you will be exited from the site and have to enter all the information again. Also if you try to exit the site all your information will be lost.

Tips & Warnings

• Benefits generally take two to three weeks to arrive once you have filed if you are eligible.

• The length of Kentucky Unemployment benefits is usually 15 to 26 weeks. There have been some recent adding of benefit time through the economic stimulus program.

• Lying or falsifying your unemployment application is illegal.

References

• Kentucky Office of Employment and Training: Unemployment Claims Filing System