Unemployment FAQ: Navigating the 2025 Year-End Holiday Schedule

As the 2025 holiday season reaches its peak, many claimants are asking about office closures and payment schedules. In 2025, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday, and New Year’s Day 2026 also falls on a Thursday, which creates a specific pattern for delays.

Below are the most common questions regarding unemployment services for the remainder of the 2025 holiday season.

Common Questions & Answers

1. Which days are the offices closed this year?

For the 2025 holiday season, almost all state unemployment agencies and call centers will be closed on:

• Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Many states, such as Michigan and New Mexico, close for the full day or at noon).
• Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25, 2025.
• New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026.
• Note: Some states, like Georgia and Pennsylvania, also observe Friday, December 26, 2025, as a state holiday (often listed as Washington’s Birthday observed), meaning offices may stay closed through the weekend.

2. How long will my payment be delayed?

Because Christmas and New Year’s fall on Thursdays, you should expect a delay of at least 24 to 48 hours.

• If you normally certify on Sunday or Monday, your payment is usually processed by Tuesday. However, because banks and the Federal Reserve are closed on Thursday, Dec 25, payments that would have hit on Thursday will likely not arrive until Friday, Dec 26 or Monday, Dec 29.
• In states like Pennsylvania, payments submitted on Wednesday, Dec 24, are not expected to reach accounts until Monday, Dec 29.

3. Can I still certify for benefits while offices are closed?

Yes. Online systems and mobile apps (like MiWAM in Michigan or Frances Online in Oregon) remain available 24/7. You should continue to file your weekly certification on your usual day to prevent your claim from becoming inactive. However, phone-based systems (like MARVIN or PAT) are often tied to office hours and may be unavailable on the actual holidays.

4. What if I have a “Fact-Finding” deadline during the holiday week?

If the agency has requested documents from you with a deadline falling on Dec 24 or Dec 25, it is highly recommended to upload them via your online portal before Dec 23. While most states technically extend deadlines to the next business day, automated systems can sometimes flag a claim as “late” if the documents aren’t there by the holiday.

5. Will the 2026 tax changes affect my last check of 2025?

Usually, no. Benefit amounts are based on your “base period” earnings from when you first filed. However, any payments received after January 1, 2026, will be considered 2026 income for tax purposes, even if they were for a week of unemployment that occurred in December 2025.

Tips for a Smooth 2025 Holiday Season

• Certify Early in the Week: If your state allows a window, certify as early as possible (Sunday or Monday) to try and beat the Thursday bank closure.
• Check for “Administrative Holidays”: Don’t be surprised if the call centers are closed on Friday, Dec 26. Many state employees are given this as a “bonus” holiday.
• Use the Chatbot: If you have a general question about your claim status while the office is closed, many states now have AI chatbots on their homepages that can provide basic updates.