UI FAQ Guide

Q: What is the "Waiting Week?"

A: In Kentucky, UI benefits are not paid during the first eligible week of an initial claim. This unpaid week is known as the “waiting week.” You must claim benefits (and complete work search activities) in order for the week to count as your waiting week. The waiting week does not count as one of your 12-24 benefits weeks. You only serve one (1) waiting week per claim.

Q: How long can a person receive UI benefits?

A: For eligible claimants, the maximum duration of benefits depends on the average unemployment rate in Kentucky. Claimants who qualify for UI benefits on or after July 5, 2026, will receive a maximum of 16 weeks of benefits (or up to 24 weeks if in an approved training program).

Q: Is Kentucky’s UI program different from other states?

A: Unemployment laws may differ somewhat from state to state. However, because state unemployment laws must conform to federal regulations, they are similar in most respects.

Q: Can a person receive UI benefits if they quit their job?

A: The answer depends on why the person quit work, as well as several other factors. If the claimant (1) quit their job with good cause attributable to the employment, (2) earned enough wages to establish a claim, and (3) there are no other eligibility issues, then the claimant may be qualified to receive benefits, despite quitting voluntarily.

Q: Can a person receive UI benefits if they were fired from their job?

A: This depends on why they were fired and some other factors. If a claimant (1) was fired for reasons other than misconduct, (2) earned enough wages to establish a claim, and (3) there are no other eligibility issues present, then the claimant may be qualified to receive benefits, despite being fired.

Q: Am I required to register with ID.me?

A: Yes, you must verify your identity with ID.me to receive Kentucky Unemployment Insurance benefits.

Q: How do I register with ID.me?

A: You can sign up for ID.me through the claims portal. Visit uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and click “sign in with ID.me.” Next, follow the onscreen instructions to register and verify your identity. If you already use ID.me for other websites or services, use your existing ID.me information to sign in.

Q: How do I reset my ID.me password?

A: If you forget your ID.me password, you’ll need to reset your password on the official ID.me website. Visit www.id.me and click “sign in.” Next, click “Forgot password.” Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your password.

Q: Do I need to update my claim information?

A: Yes. Keep your mailing address and other contact information up to date, even if you are not currently requesting payment. Our agency may need to contact you. Note: the United States Postal Service does not forward mail from state offices, even if you have provided a forwarding address.

Q: How do I update my contact information?

A: Visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Click “Personal information.” Follow the onscreen instructions to update your contact information.

Q: How do I update incomplete or inaccurate information on my claim?

A: If you shared incomplete or inaccurate information, you’ll need to amend your claim. Contact our call center at 502-564-2900 and let one of our representatives know that some information is missing or incorrect on your claim. We will send an “Amend Claim” form to the email address we have on file. You must complete and return the form within ten (10) days of the mail date. Your benefits may be delayed or denied if you don’t return the completed form within ten (10) days.

Q: How do I upload documents to my claim?

A: Visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Next, click “Document Upload.” Follow the onscreen directions to be sure that your documents upload properly in the correct size and format. You may upload up to five (5) documents at a time.

Q: My claim is in “fact finding.” What does that mean?

A: If your claim is in “fact finding,” this means that the agency is gathering information we need before deciding if you are eligible. We will notify you once a decision is made. Please note that there is no way to speed up this process; claims are reviewed in the order they were received.

Q: My claim was disqualified. What are my next steps?

A: If you were disqualified, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must submit your appeal in writing within 30 days of the mail date on the Notice of Determination. The appeal must include your name, the last four (4) digits of your Social Security Number, and your contact information. Appeals must be sent to the UI Appeals Branch. To send your appeal by email, send to UIappeals@ky.gov. To send your appeal by mail, send to UI Appeals Branch, 500 Mero Street, 4th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. To submit your appeal by fax, send to 502-564-7850. Continue to submit payment requests while your claim is under appeal—if your appeal is granted, you can only be paid for eligible weeks that you properly requested.

Q: Why do I have to request benefit payments?

A: In order to be paid benefits on a qualified claim, you must request benefit payments. Requests may be made on a biweekly basis. Each time you request payment, the agency gathers information to determine if you are eligible to be paid for the weeks you request. Making a request is necessary to be paid, but does not guarantee that you will be paid—if you are found eligible for the weeks, you will be paid benefits. You are responsible for requesting payment, and you will not be paid for any weeks you do not request. Payment requests also keep your claim active and inform the agency that you remain unemployed.

Q: When should I request benefits?

A: Traditional UI claims require you to request benefits every two (2) weeks. Kentucky UI weeks run from Sunday to Saturday. You can request your first benefit payment 13 days after you file your initial claim. When requesting benefits, you will be prompted to claim two (2) weeks at a time and will answer questions about each week. If eligible, most claimants receive payment two (2) to three (3) days after requesting benefits. If your employer filed on your behalf (“E-Claims”), you will request benefits weekly rather than bi-weekly. Benefits for the previous two-week period can be requested Sunday through Friday.

The system is available Sundays 10:00AM–9:00PM and weekdays 7:00AM–7:00PM ET. Visit uiclaimsportal.ky.gov or KCC.KY.GOV.

The graphic below shows an example benefits timeline:

Q: How do I request benefits?

A: Most claimants must request benefits online. To request benefits online: sign in to the Unemployment Insurance Claims Portal (uiclaimsportal.ky.gov) with ID.me. Click “Payment Request” to begin benefit payment request. Follow onscreen instructions and answer all questions completely and truthfully. When your request has been submitted, you’ll see a confirmation screen. NOTE: Confirmation that your request has been submitted is not a guarantee of payment.

Claimants who are exempt from the Work Search requirements may request benefits by phone (claimants with a definite recall date within one (1) year of the initial claim filing, those who are in an Approved Training Program, E-Claims, or members of a union hiring hall that seeks work on their behalf). To request benefits by phone: dial 502-564-2900. You will be prompted to enter your identification information and PIN. You must answer a series of questions regarding the previous weeks. Answer all questions completely and truthfully. Wait for confirmation that your request is accepted before ending the call. If you hang up before your request is accepted, your benefits will not be processed. You may call Sundays 10:00 AM–9:00 PM and weekdays 7:00 AM–7:00 PM ET.

Q: Why does my first check only pay one week of benefits?

A: Your first check includes a “waiting week,” during which benefits are not paid. This is required by Kentucky Law. Benefits are not paid during the waiting week. The waiting week is always the first week that you request payment and does not count toward your total benefit weeks.

Q: When do I request benefit payments?

A: If you file a claim and are qualified to receive benefits, you can request your first benefit payment when the employer protest period ends, exactly 13 days from the date you filed your claim. After that, you can request payment every other Sunday. To find your next payment date, log in to the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov. Sign in and click “My Information.” Then click “Claim Information.”

Q: How much can a person receive in UI benefits each week?

A: Unemployment insurance claimants who filed applications for benefits earlier than July 5, 2026, are potentially eligible to receive between $39 (minimum) and $720 (maximum) in weekly benefits. Claimants who filed new applications for benefits on or after July 5, 2026, will be potentially eligible to receive between $39 and $746 in weekly benefits.

Q: How much money can a person receive in UI benefits?

A: Your maximum benefit amount is EITHER 16 times your weekly benefit rate OR 1/3 of your base-period wages (whichever is less). The weekly benefit amount is typically 1.1923% of your base period wages.

Q: Can I change my payment method?

A: Yes. Visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Next, click “Personal Information” and “Update Payment Method.” Follow the onscreen directions.

Q: My US Bank debit card was lost/stolen.  What should I do?

A: Visit http://www.usbankreliacard.com or call 855-282-6161 to report a lost or stolen card.

Q: How do I check the status of a benefit payment?

A: Visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Click “My information,” then click “Claim Information.”

Q: How do I access my payment history?

A: Visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Click “My information,” then click “Claim Information.”

Q: How do I repay an overpayment?

A: Make checks or money orders payable to the Kentucky UI Trust Fund. You can also make a secure payment online. To pay online, visit kcc.ky.gov, click “Unemployment Services,” and select “Make a payment.” If you need to make repayment arrangements, please call the Benefits Payment Control office at 502-564-2387.

Q: I filed my claim late or forgot to request benefits. What are my next steps?

A: Contact our call center (502-564-2900) or your local Kentucky Career Center and request an electronic backdating request form. Complete and return this form within ten (10) days to place a backdating request. If your responses show good cause for backdating, then your request will be approved. There is no guarantee that you will be paid for late claim filing or payment requests.

Q: Can my benefits be extended?

A: Regular unemployment insurance claims contain 16 to 24 weeks of benefits to be paid within one (1) year of filing. In some cases, the state or federal government may extend these benefits or offer additional benefit programs. If extended or additional benefits programs become available while you are unemployed or otherwise eligible, our agency will post that information to our website or send you a notification of the program by mail.

Q: Are UI benefits taxable? How do I withhold tax from my benefits?

A: Unemployment Insurance benefits are taxable income and must be reported. When filing your claim, you are given the option of withholding 3.5% for state taxes and 10% for federal taxes. This amount will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount if you choose to withhold taxes. Tax withholding is optional and can be changed once per benefit year. To review your tax withholding status, visit the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and log in. Then click “Withholding Status.”

Q: What is a 1099-G?

A: Form 1099-G is a tax document that lists all the benefit payments you received during a tax year. To view your 1099-G, visit uiclaimsportal.ky.gov and sign in. Click “My information,” then click “My 1099.”

Q: Do I have to complete work search requirements?

A: Most claimants are required to look for work.

You may be exempt from work search requirements if you are a member of a trade union that finds work for you, are a student in approved training, are on a temporary leave of absence, if you have a definite recall date of within 12 months of your filing date, or if your employer filed a mass electronic claim on your behalf. If any of these apply to you, you will be prompted to provide documentation of your status when filing your claim. You will be subject to work search requirements if you do not provide documentation of your status.

Q: What are work search activities?

A: Claimants must report at least five (5) work search activities per week. At least three (3) of these must be job applications or interviews. You will not receive benefits for the week(s) claimed if you do not meet the work search requirements. More information can be found in the Claimant Guide at kcc.ky.gov.

Q: Does the agency audit work search activities?

A: Yes. The agency may conduct audits of your work search activities for up to one (1) year after your claim expires. Keep all proof of work search activities until this time elapses. If the agency audits your work search activities, you will be required to provide supporting documents to verify the activities occurred. If you cannot, you may be required to repay the agency for previously paid benefits.

Q: What counts as proof of my work search activities?

A: Requirements for supporting documentation vary depending on the type of activity you are reporting. Detailed information for acceptable documentation can be found on page 25 of the Claimant Guide.

Q: How do I request benefits from an employer-filed E-Claim?

A: Before requesting E-Claim benefits you must: (1) Register with ID.me and receive your 8-digit login PIN; (2) Read the UIClaimant Guide (Rights and Responsibilities Pamphlet).

You can request E-Claim benefits online at the UI Claims Portal or by phone at 502-564-2900 on Sunday (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET) or Monday-Wednesday (7:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET). If this is your first time requesting benefits, the initial payment will be issued by check to your address of record. All following payments will be issued to prepaid debit card by default. If you would like to receive payment by direct deposit, you must update your payment method in the claimant portal.

If you have questions, please call our agency call center at 502-564-2900.

Q: How is my UI tax rate assigned?

A: Rates vary by employer and depend on a variety of factors including wages paid, the employer’s history of chargeable claims, and the employer’s reserve account balance. These factors are used to calculate the employer’s reserve ratio. This ratio is equal to your three-year taxable payroll divided by your reserve account balance. The reserve ratio determines the rate you are assigned from the rate schedule. Contributory employers are then charged quarterly unemployment insurance taxes based on their assigned tax rate. Unemployment insurance tax rates are calculated as of July 31; this is known as the “computation date.”

Q: Can a person receive UI benefits if they quit their job?

A: The answer depends on why the person quit work, as well as several other factors. If the claimant (1) quit their job with good cause attributable to the employment, (2) earned enough wages to establish a claim, and (3) there are no other eligibility issues, then the claimant may be qualified to receive benefits, despite quitting voluntarily.

Q: Can a person receive UI benefits if they were fired from their job?

A: This depends on why they were fired and some other factors. If a claimant (1) was fired for reasons other than misconduct, (2) earned enough wages to establish a claim, and (3) there are no other eligibility issues present, then the claimant may be qualified to receive benefits, despite being fired.

Q: Why am I being charged for a claimant that was fired by another employer?

A: If you are the most recent 10-week employer on the claim, you may be charged for benefits if the worker left employment under non-disqualifying conditions, or if the employer failed to file a timely protest to the initial claim.

Q: There are plenty of jobs available—why are people receiving UI benefits?

A: Not all jobs are suitable for all claimants. To receive benefits, an eligible claimant must be able to work, available for work, and seeking suitable work. However, what counts as “suitable work” is determined by a range of factors including: (1) the degree of risk involved to the worker’s health, safety, and morals, (2) the worker’s experience and prior earnings, (3) the length of the unemployment and prospects of securing local work in the customary occupation, and (4) the distance of the work from the worker’s residence.

Q: If I fire an employee for missing work, are they eligible for UI benefits?

A: If an employee is fired for misconduct connected with the work, they will be disqualified. Generally, if the employee has good cause for missing work, the absences do not count as not misconduct. Accordingly, a number of days or percentages of lost time cannot, on their own, show that a worker is guilty of misconduct.

Q: What do I do if I want to contest a claim?

A: File a written protest setting forth the reasons for separation within ten (10) days from the date the claim was filed.

Q: What do I do if I don’t want to contest a claim?

A: If you don’t wish to contest, there’s no need to contact the agency.

Q: Where can I get a UI tax ID number?

A: Click here to apply for a UI tax ID number. If you already have a number, you may email us at UItax@ky.gov or call us at 502-564-3326 to retrieve the number.

Q: Why do I need a UI tax ID number?

A: The Office of Unemployment Insurance uses tax ID numbers to ensure that the correct tax payments, wage listings, and benefit payments are associated with your account.

Q: May I participate in an appeal hearing in person?

A: Most appeal hearings are scheduled remotely. However, if an in-person hearing is warranted, you may attend as a party to the appeal. Whether an in-person appeal is warranted depends on the number of witnesses to testify, the complexity of the issue, and the distance that the participants have to travel.

Q: How do I report new hires?

A: You may mail your new hire report to:

The Kentucky New Hire Reporting Center
P.O. Box 1130
Richmond, VA 23218-1130

Fax reports to 1-800-817-0099 or 1-804-771-1908

You may call the Kentucky New Hire Reporting Center at 1-800-817-2262 or 1-804-771-9602 for any questions regarding the new hire law. Help Desk staff are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 4:30 PM ET.