Dec. 29, 2021
Work search requirements waived for DUA claimants
The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance has received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor to temporarily waive work search requirements for Disaster Unemployment Assistance claimants affected by the severe storms that occurred on Dec. 10, 2021 in FEMA designated counties included in the major disaster declaration.
Executive Order 2021-967 was also signed by Gov. Andy Beshear on Dec. 28, 2021 temporarily suspending the 7-day waiting week period for DUA claimants in the FEMA affected counties due to the severe storms in Western Kentucky on December 10, 2021.
December 28, 2021
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Those Impacted by the Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding and Tornadoes
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 28, 2021) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday that, as a result of Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA 4630 Amendments No. 2 and No. 3, the state is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for Barren and Marion counties, which were hit hard by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes and are now approved for individual assistance.
Individuals who became unemployed or those who are self-employed and had work interrupted in these two counties as a direct result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes overnight on Dec. 10, 2021, are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.
DUA is available to individuals who:
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Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
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Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of a disaster, which can also include the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster;
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Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;
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Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
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Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
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Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.
Following Gov. Beshear’s request, President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration on Dec. 12, 2021, that designated 14 Kentucky counties for individual assistance. The President issued Amendment No. 2 on Dec. 22 to include Barren County and Amendment No. 3 on Dec. 24 to include Marion County.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under state or federal law. Farmers and other self-employed individuals who are traditionally ineligible for UI benefits may qualify for DUA. The federal program requires individuals to provide documents, including a copy of their most recent Federal income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID, to receive DUA benefits. The administration understands many claimants will not have these documents and will be working to help them obtain new documents. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website, kcc.ky.gov or call 502.875.0442 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for assistance for claimants in Barren and Marion counties is January 27, 2021.
After claimants apply for UI benefits, they may attend an in-person session at one of the following locations (updated Jan. 3, 2022):
Jan. 4 - Jan. 6 2022
Bowling Green
Greenwood Shopping Mall (old Sears’s store)
262 Scottsville Rd., Bowling Green KY 42101
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mayfield
351 Charles Drive
Mayfield, KY 42066
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kentucky Career Center locations can also assist with DUA applications.
As a reminder the Dec. 27 announcement about DUA can be found here: Gov. Beshear Update of Storm Response.
Updated information will be communicated on the Kentucky Career Center website and future press releases with detailed information.
Unemployment assistance is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and benefits are not charged to employers.
For more information about the disaster in Western Kentucky:
Governor's Office
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
FEMA
Follow the Kentucky Career Center on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.
December 22
December 22, 2021
Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance staff will be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time at five locations next week (Dec. 27-Dec. 29) to provide in-person assistance to those seeking help with Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims:
- 262 Scottsville Road (Greenwood Mall) in the old Sears store, Bowling Green, KY 42101 (new location)
- 56 Federal Street, Madisonville, KY 42431
- 233 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- 3108 Fairview Drive, Owensboro, KY 42303
- 351 Charles Drive, Mayfield, KY 42066 (new location)
Those who became unemployed or those who are self-employed and had work interrupted in 14 Kentucky counties as a direct result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes on Dec. 10, are eligible to apply for DUA benefits. Those counties include: Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor, and Warren.
It is not necessary for claimants to appear in-person if they can successfully complete the application process online. The agency is providing in-person assistance to help those who have questions or need help with the application.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for traditional unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law.
- Farmers and other self-employed individuals who are traditionally ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.
- Individuals will need their Social Security number, a copy of their most recent Federal income tax forms or check stubs. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
- Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website (kcc.ky.gov) or call (502) 875-0442 to file their initial claim.
When filing a claim in-person, self-employed individuals should bring a copy of their 2020 income tax return. All applicants filing for disaster benefits need to supply photo identification, a bill showing your physical address at the time of the disaster, and current mailing address confirmation if changed.
The deadline to apply for assistance is Jan. 18, 2022.
December 18, 2021
Important information about ID.me
Attention UI Claimants!
Beginning Nov. 4, all unemployment insurance (UI) claimants who have not already verified their identity with ID.me, a third-party identity verification vendor, will be required to register an account with the company and verify their identity in order to access their claim.
Registration is now open for ID.me if you wish to register your account prior to Nov. 4. Please visit the following link:
October 5, 2021
Upcoming System Maintenance:
The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance computer systems will be down for approximately two hours Thursday (Oct. 7) evening for a scheduled update beginning at 9 p.m.
September 23, 2021
U.S. Bank who provides Kentucky UI debit card services is currently experiencing an outage of their prepaid card portal impacting cardholder's ability to access their account information via their website, mobile app, and call centers. Cardholder ATM and purchase transactions (authorizations and disbursements) are still occurring; however, overnight client file processing has been delayed. They are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
July 29, 2021
American Rescue Plan & Federal Pandemic UI Programs
Federal Unemployment Programs Expire September 6, 2021
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which provides an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation.
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides benefits for those who would not usually qualify, including the self-employed, gig workers, and part-time workers.
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Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides an extension of benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted.
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Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), which provides an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings.
The last payable week for these programs is the week ending September 4, 2021, regardless of the balance of the benefits remaining in the claim.
If claimants are waiting to receive an eligibility determination for any of these four federal programs, OUI will ensure that they receive payments owed to them for all weeks before September 6 for which they are determined eligible.
Governor Andy Beshear's Back to Work Incentive program, unveiled in June, incentivizes the long-term unemployed to return to the workforce with a potential $1,500 bonus payment.
Important press release about Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Ending. Read the full press release.
Claimants participating in those programs will receive an email from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) communicating that those benefit programs are ending. Read the email here.
Understanding Unemployment Insurance in Kentucky
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ
June 18, 2021
Important press release about overpayment waiver
Read the full press release
Frequently Asked Questions
June 9, 2021
Important Notice about Disaster Unemployment Assistance for 22 counties in Kentucky. - Read the notice for more information.
June 7, 2021
Payment method updates are now available. Check and direct deposit payment methods are now available for claimants to update in their UI account.
May 21, 2021
To schedule an unemployment insurance in-person appointment the new appointments will become available at 9:00 AM Monday – Friday for the next available day.
May 20, 2021
IRS begins correcting tax returns for unemployment compensation income exclusion. - Read the full notice.
May 7, 2021
The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI), in partnership with the Kentucky Office of the State Treasurer, is reinstating direct deposit as a payment option for UI claimants beginning June 7, 2021.
Beginning on that date, benefit payments from OUI can be deposited into your bank account. If you are interested in receiving your benefit payments on a prepaid debit card, more information about that payment option will be provided soon.
Important Notice about Disaster Unemployment Assistance for 9 counties in Kentucky. Read the notice for more information.
April 22, 2021
Work search requirements will be reinstated on May 9, 2021. Please refer to the Rights and Responsibilities booklet for details. Read frequently asked questions.
April 16, 2021
Current Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Claimants:
If you have a current PUA claim on file after your benefit request week ending 4/10/2021 you will have a new PUA claim generated with a Benefit Year Ending (BYE) of 12/31/2022. You should see the new claim the day after your check request on the account summary. You do not need to file a new claim.
April 13, 2021
The UI Help Line 502-564-2900 will only be taking calls to assist claimants with resetting their PIN's so they can register in the updated UI system and access their UI account. Hours are 7:00 am through 8:00 pm. Eastern Time Zone.
April 13, 2021
PIN assistance instructions
Please see this guide for PIN Assistance Instructions.
April 8, 2021
Important Security Notice About Unemployment Insurance PIN’s - Click here to read this message.
April 5, 2021
Due to a system issue, individuals on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), were unable to submit their biweekly benefit request this past weekend. Impacted individuals were advised to file a new claim. A new claim does not need to be submitted. The issue has been resolved. Impacted individuals need to resubmit their request for benefit payments.
April 1, 2021
IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May. Click here for more information
March 24, 2021
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) $300 weekly benefit payment has been extended. The UI system is currently being updated to reflect the new dates. Claimants who requested benefits for weeks 3/13 and 3/20 together will receive the additional $300 for week ending 3/13. You will see the 3/20 $300 FPUC payment in the next few days.
March 18, 2021
The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance is proud to announce the launch of its new UI public interface on Friday, March 19.
We've created a new look for the UI portal login and home screen, and made some changes to keep your account more secure. You'll see some changes the next time you log in to your unemployment insurance account.
You will immediately notice:
Secure Login
A more secure login procedure. Like financial institutions and many online companies, Office of Unemployment Insurance now requires claimants to create a complex password to make it difficult for unauthorized users to access your account. Claimants will need to register and create a new password that complies with system password requirements.
Please note that when creating your password you should write it down and store it in a safe place.
Register
To begin, click the "Log In" link at the top of the page. Please follow the "Don't have an account? Click here to register" link.
- After clicking the link, you will be greeted by a welcome screen. Follow the instructions on the screen to continue registration.
- Note: In order to access your account, you will be asked to provide your current User ID and password. Your current User ID is your Social Security number, and your old password is a 4-digit PIN.
- Provide your Social Security number and click "Continue." If you forgot your PIN number, you can click the "I Forgot My Pin."
- On the next screen you will be asked to provide your email address and four-digit PIN. You will also need to provide a new, complex password and confirm it. Additional information about password requirements can be found in the information button.
- Select a security question and provide an answer. Click the "Register" button.
- On the next page, you will be asked to provide account and contact information and security information. Click "Register."
- You will be greeted with a screen informing you that your registration was successful. Click the "Go to Login button.
New look and feel
After logging in, you will notice an improved, modern look and feel. Commonly used options like Payment Request, File a New Claim, Document Upload, etc., each have their own icons and are easy to locate. We have made enhancements to solve browser compatibility issues to better accommodate all users, especially those using mobile devices.
The see some of the new updates, please see the video below.
March 9, 2021
Fraud alert message from the U.S. Department of Justice about UI fraud.
Click here to read this alert.
February 24, 2021
Update: The external unemployment system was back online at approximately 3:25 p.m. EST today with an additional step for those logging in.
While there has not been any security breach and no information from claimants has been compromised, the Office of Unemployment Insurance notified Labor Cabinet leadership at approximately 10:40 a.m. of a possible cyberattack on the external unemployment insurance claims system. The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security is working with the Labor Cabinet, OUI and Commonwealth Office of Technology to respond to the cyberattack, which used random login names to attempt to overwhelm the site but none of the login attempts have been successful. Unemployment office staff continued to assist claimants while access to the site was limited externally.
Feb. 11, 2021If you received a paper check for benefits and believe you should not have received a check, please send that check back to:
Office of Unemployment Insurance
Attention BPC
500 Mero Street 4th Floor
Frankfort KY 40601Include your name, contact information (such as phone number and email address), and a message that you never filed for Unemployment Insurance.
January 28, 2021
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation is now available for Kentuckians that are eligible.
Click here to view
January 27, 2021
If you received unemployment benefits, you will need to file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 1099-G documents for the year 2020 are in the process of being mailed out to over 600,000 claimants and the document has been added to your UI account.
The most common use of the 1099-G is to report unemployment compensation as well as any state or local income tax refunds you received that year. A 1099-G is a tax form from the IRS showing the amount of refund, credit, or interest issued to you in the calendar year filing from your individual income tax returns. Click here to view 1099G Frequently Asked Questions and find additional assistance.
January 18, 2021
Consolidated Appropriations Act Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here to view
January 15, 2021
Be Aware of Suspicious Emails!
The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance is aware of fraudulent emails soliciting payments to work UI claims. Please be advised that at no time will a Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance staff member ask you to pay any amount of money to work your unemployment insurance claim.
January 12, 2021
Kentucky One Time Payment: Unemployment One-Time Relief Payment Program signed under Executive Order on January 12, 2021.
KY Unemployment One-Time Relief Payment Program
One time single payment of $400 to claimants:
- Under any program administered by the OUI who would have otherwise qualified for the 2020 FEMA Lost Wages Assistance Program except that their weekly benefit amount was below $100;
- Under any program administered by the OUI in November and December 2020 who had an approved claim but a weekly benefit amount of less than $176; and
- No claimant has the right to appeal the determination of the OUI regarding eligibility for this payment
One time single payment of $1,000 to claimants:
- Under any program administered by the OUI between March 4, 2020, and October 31, 2020, with verified identities but whose claims have not yet had a determination made and paid out
- No claimant has the right to appeal the determination of the OUI regarding eligibility for this payment
Additional Archived Links
Update
March 30, 2022
Did you know that if you received unemployment benefits in 2020, those benefits are taxable income and your tax returns may be affected? Click HERE to learn more.
The Continued Assistance Act flowchart goes through the unemployment insurance categories of claims and the process for the claims.
The KY PUA Need to Know document lets you know who is covered under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
Updated Information on Substitute Teacher UI and PUA Eligibility