How to Discontinue Your Unemployment

To be in compliance with the law, you must discontinue claiming your unemployment benefits once you have regained employment. Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial relief to people who have lost their jobs. The length of time that your benefits last depends on your individual case and your state's unemployment regulations. After getting a new job, discontinue your unemployment benefits immediately. This prevents the state from sending you an unemployment benefit overpayment.

Instructions

1. Call your state's unemployment office to discontinue your unemployment benefits. Call the office during business hours and speak to a live representative to request the discontinuation of your benefits. The business hours of your state's unemployment office is on its website.

2. Stop filing your weekly unemployment claims. To receive your weekly unemployment benefits, you must certify each payment. Depending on the state where you live, you can certify your payment by calling the claims line, mailing weekly claims forms or signing into the unemployment office's website. To certify your payment, you need to answer questions regarding your unemployment status, such as whether you are actively seeking employment.

3. Discard any weekly unemployment claim forms that you receive from the unemployment office. If your state mails unemployment claim forms directly to you, get rid of them. Failing to mail your weekly claim form automatically stops your unemployment benefits.

4. Return any overpayment of employment benefits. If you receive unemployment payments even after you have discontinued filing claims, you must contact the unemployment office to report the payments. The representative will let you know how to return the payment. For example, if your state issues payment with a check, you can return the check directly to the office.

References

• Colorado Department of Labor & Employment: General Unemployment Benefits FAQs
• State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation: Frequently Asked Questions
• State of California: Unemployment Insurance
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: How do I Stop Filing for Unemployment Benefits?
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: Filing a Weekly Claim Certification