Massachusetts Unemployment Benefit Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in Massachusetts, you must meet the following requirements:

Earning Requirements

  • You must have earned at least $6,000 (rounded down to the nearest hundred dollars) in wages during the last four completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.
  • Your total earnings in the base period must be at least 30 times the weekly benefit amount you would be eligible to receive.

Work Status Requirements

  • You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means that you were laid off, fired for reasons beyond your control, or had your hours significantly reduced.
  • You must be able to work, available to work, and actively looking for work. This means that you must be physically and mentally able to work, willing to accept suitable work, and actively searching for employment.
  • You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Additional Requirements

  • You must not have quit your last job voluntarily without good cause.
  • You must not have been discharged from your last job for misconduct.
  • You must not be receiving other unemployment benefits from another state or country.

Weekly Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the initial eligibility requirements, you must continue to meet certain requirements to receive benefits each week. These requirements include:

  • You must be physically able to work.
  • You must be available to work full-time.
  • You must be actively looking for work. This means that you must make three work search contacts per week.

How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits

You can apply for unemployment benefits online, by phone, or in person at a Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) office. To apply, you will need to provide your personal information, employment history, and reason for unemployment.

How Much Will You Receive in Benefits?

The amount of weekly benefits you will receive is based on your earnings in the base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Massachusetts is $687.

How Long Will You Receive Benefits?

The maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on your earnings in the base period. The minimum number of weeks you can receive benefits is 26. The maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits is 30.

For More Information

For more information about unemployment benefits in Massachusetts, please visit the DUA website or call the DUA customer service line at 1-800-892-1222.

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