Frequent Questions on Iowa Unemployment Insurance Benefits

What’s required for me to be qualified for IA Unemployment insurance benefits?

To be eligible for Iowa UI benefits you must:

• Be totally or partially unemployed
• Have worked and earned a minimum amount of wages
• Have lost your job through no fault of your own
• Be able and available for work
• Verify your identity
• Be actively seeking work
• Be registered for work

What information do I need to file for Iowa Unemployment Benefits?

To get UI benefits Iowa Work Force Development will need:

• Your social security number, name and address.
• Information on your last employer.
• The start and end dates of your last job.
• Information vacation pay, severance, etc. if you received.
• Your alien registration number if not a U.S. citizen.
• DD-214 (Member 4) if you served in the U.S. military.
• Verification of your identity.
• Standard Form 8 (SF-8) if worked for the federal government.
• Your dependent information.

How soon should I file for Iowa Unemployment Benefits?

• You should file your claim for benefits the same week you become unemployed or your hours reduced.  

How do I apply for Iowa unemployment insurance benefits?

You can file for Iowa UI benefits online or visit a IowaWORKS Center location and apply.

• You must register for work when you apply for Unemployment Insurance
• You must complete your registration using the IowaWORKS website.
• You must log in and complete all questions.
•  You must make your résumé available online for employers.

How long will it take to start getting Iowa unemployment benefits after I file?

• It will take several weeks to process your application and start getting UI benefits.
• You will need to file a weekly claim online to receive benefits.
• If you have an appeal pending you still need to file your claim weekly.
• You need to log your work search employer contacts weekly.

Can I get help online while filing for me Iowa Unemployment benefits?

• Yes! Visit Iowa Work Force Development online help portal at request help. 

Will Iowa Work Force Development help me find a job while getting Unemployment Benefits? 

• Yes! you can visit IowaWorks website, search available jobs and apply.
• You can set up your account and customized your job search
• You can find skills development classes, workshops and job fairs near you.
• You can get assistance in writing your resume.
• You can explore new careers  

How Do I Contact Iowa Work Force Development?

Iowa Work Force Development UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS

Phone: 1-866-239-0843 
Email: uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov(link sends e-mail)

Website Unemployment Insurance contact page.

Unemployment Insurance Customer Service Hours: (excluding state holidays)
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Wednesday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Thursday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday