KENTUCKY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

This page is here to help you file for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, non-traditional unemployment clients are now eligible to file for benefits.

Please read all the information below prior to filing your claim. This will ensure a complete and correct application and will help you avoid a delay in payment.

If after you submit your application, you receive a message that states you are not covered or your claim has been denied, please disregard. Your claim is being processed and we will be in touch.

On your assigned day of the week, go to the “File My Claim” button below to complete your application. Waiting until your assigned day in no way affects your payment. It simply allows us to better serve Kentuckians by balancing the high volume of claims we are currently receiving.

If you are an individual that typically did not qualify for traditional Unemployment Insurance and applied prior to March 31, 2020, you may receive a denial notice by mail. You may disregard that notice. Within a day or two you will also receive a follow-up approval letter for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance with instructions on benefit payments.

Who is Covered?

In these unprecedented times, Governor Beshear has expanded access for groups not normally eligible for Unemployment Insurance. These groups include, but are not limited to:

barbers
chefs
childcare workers employed by non-profits
contract laborers
freelance workers
hairdressers
hotel housekeeping staff
hotel workers
independent contractors
landscapers
massage therapists
nail technicians
restaurant workers
self-employed
small business owners
substitute teachers

If after you complete your application, you get a message that states you are not covered or your claim has been denied, please disregard. Your claim is being processed and we will be in touch.

Any payment you receive from federal legislation regarding COVID-19 will come directly from the Department of Treasury and not the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Claim On These Days

In order to serve you better, UI claims will be filed on a specific day of the week based on the first letter of your last name.

Sunday	A-D
Monday	E-H
Tuesday	I-L
Wednesday	M-P
Thursday	Q-U
Friday	V-Z
Friday	If You Missed Your Day

Filing a Claim

To file an Unemployment Insurance Claim, you will need the following:

Personal Information

Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number
Date of Birth
Complete Mailing Address
Phone Number

Employer Information

For the last 18 months:

Business/Company Name
Business/Company Mailing Address
Business/Company Phone Number
Dates of Employment
Reason you are no longer working for EACH employer

Other Information You May Need

If you worked in other states: List of states in which you worked.
If you worked for a Temporary Agency: Name/Address of Temporary Agency.
If you worked for the Federal Government: Agency name; Component name; Copy of your Standard Form (SF8, SF50).
If you were in the US Military: Copy of you DD214 Member 4.
If you worked through a skilled trade union: Name of contractor.

Check My Claim

To check your claim please follow these steps:

Go to https://uiclaims.des.ky.gov/ebenefit/eben.htm
Log back into the system
Select Account Summary

The Claims Process

Day 1

You complete the initial application online at uiclaims.des.ky.gov

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., ET

Day 2

The Office of Unemployment Insurance will determine if you have a valid claim.

Day 3-12

You will receive a letter that states the amount of your payment.

Day 13

If there are no disqualifying factors, we will generate the payment by either direct deposit or a debit card within 2 to 5 days.

Day 28

If you continue to be unemployed you can request your second benefit payment online at uiclaims.des.ky.gov or calling 877-369-5984.

Frequently Asked Questions

Help for Small Businesses

Bulk E-Claim for Large Businesses

File My Unemployment Insurance Claim

File My Claim

If You Are Having Issues

Kentuckians can call for Kentucky Career Center services including Unemployment Insurance questions.

Please use the phone for the locations nearest you so that no location is overwhelmed by customers.

View Phone Numbers

Kentucky Career Center