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Welcome

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Important KCC Messages​

05/20/2025Unemployment Insurance Claimants: Waiting Week Information

​In Kentucky, all initial claims must serve a “Waiting Week”. This means that benefits are not paid for the first week that you are eligible. You must claim benefits (and complete work search activities) in order for the week to count as your waiting week. You must serve only one waiting week per claim. The waiting week does not count as one of your 12-24 benefits weeks.​

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 15, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Trump administration has approved his April 28 and May 5 requests to add Individual Assistance for 24 more counties affected by the widespread flooding that took place last month. The number of counties approved for Individual Assistance is currently 37.

Individual Assistance has now been approved for Breckenridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Daviess, Garrard, Grayson, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, LaRue, Lincoln, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Pendleton, Powell, Trimble, Warren and Webster counties in addition to those of Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford, which were approved April 25. Assistance for more counties may be requested through an amendment if assessments warrant.


“Great news – 24 more counties have been approved for Individual Assistance by FEMA following the April severe weather,” said Gov. Beshear. “This process takes time, and we will continue to request more counties be added until everyone affected receives the support they need and deserve.”


The Governor thanked President Trump, Office of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and everyone at the federal level who helped acquire this additional help for Kentuckians.

How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

When applying for assistance, make sure:

  • You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Your damaged home is your primary residence.

  • You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.

  • You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.


If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.  

  • Or by mail or fax.


As the rains began that eventually led to widespread flooding, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency, activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather. The price gouging prohibition was renewed April 17.

Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.​

How To Help: The Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund was established after the severe weather in February and will serve survivors of that and additional natural disasters. As with previous relief funds, these dollars will first help pay for victims’ funeral expenses. To donate, click here.​

Click here to view Disaster Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Kentuckians in counties that received federal approval for individual assistance may be eligible​

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 5, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the state will accept applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in 13 counties who are out of work as a result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began in Kentucky on April 2, 2025, and continuing.

On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump approved Gov. Beshear’s request for a major disaster declaration for Kentucky in response to April’s devastating severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides, which includes individual assistance for Kentuckians in Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties.​

The Governor will request that additional designations and counties be added to the declaration through an amendment as ongoing assessments are completed.

Individuals – including unemployed and self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected areas and became unemployed or had work interrupted as a direct result the flooding that occurred in Kentucky beginning on April 2, 2025, and continue – are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.

DUA is available to individuals who:

  • Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work

  • Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to their 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;

  • Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;

  • Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;

  • Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or

  • As a result of the disaster, became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household because of the death of the head of the household.


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 benefits under state or federal law. Farmers and other self-employed individuals who traditionally are ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.

To receive DUA benefits, the federal program requires individuals to provide documents, including a copy of their most recent federal or state income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the individual’s DUA application is filed.

DUA is available for up to 29 weeks of unemployment beginning April 6, 2025, until October 25, 2025, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.

How To File a Claim​​

Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov or call 502-564-2900 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for assistance is June 23, 2025.

Updated information will be communicated on the Kentucky Career Center website and through future press releases with detailed information. DUA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and benefits are not charged to employers.

Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs to document damages before cleaning up and to report those losses to their local emergency management officials.​

Gov. Beshear also activated the State Emergency Operations Center and activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they cleaned up from the severe weather.

Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that he has sent two additional requests to FEMA seeking aid for families and communities affected by April’s floods.

First, the Governor is requesting families in 16 more counties receive Individual Assistance to help them recover. On April 25, the Governor announced that President Donald Trump had approved part of his April 11 request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which included Individual Assistance for Kentuckians in 13 of the counties affected by the most recent flooding.​

Second, the Governor is now requesting Public Assistance for 64 counties in which FEMA has validated damages. The Governor also renewed his request for approval for hazard mitigation for the entire state.

​The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance Call Center will be available between 9 a.m. and noon EDT  on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Some Kentucky Career Center offices may be closed on Good Friday or have limited hours of operation. Please contact your local career center office for holiday business hours.​

​Unemployment Insurance Claimants: 1099-G documents will soon be available in the claimant portal and mailed via the U.S. Posta​l Service by Jan. 31, 2025. Please watch this short video to learn more about your 1099-G form and how to a​​ccess:

 ​

Read the 1099-G Frequently Asked Questions​​ document for additional information.​

​​

​Kentucky Career Center offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in observance of Labor Day. Unemployment insurance claimants may experience a delay in payments due to banks being closed. ​

​

​Click here to view Disaster Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions


FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2024) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the state will accept applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in 15 counties who are out of work as a result of the severe storms in Kentucky on May 21-27, 2024.

Following Gov. Beshear's disaster relief request on June 14, 2024, President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 23, 2024, designating the following 15 counties for individual assistance: Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Whitley.

Individuals – including unemployed and self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected areas and became unemployed or had work interrupted as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides on May 21-27, 2024, – are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.

DUA is available to individuals who:

  • Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;

  • 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;

  • Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;

  • Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;

  • Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or

  • As a result of the disaster, became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.

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 benefits under state or federal law. Farmers and other self-employed individuals who traditionally are ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.

To receive DUA benefits, the federal program requires individuals to provide documents, including a copy of their most recent federal or state income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the DUA application is filed.

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning May 26, 2024, until Jan. 25, 2025, as long as the individual's unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.

How To File a Claim
Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov or call 502-875-0442 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for assistance is October 9, 2024.

Updated information will be communicated on the Kentucky Career Center website and through future press releases with detailed information. DUA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and benefits are not charged to employers.

Following the storms over the Memorial Day weekend, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.

Gov. Beshear also activated the State Emergency Operations Center and activated the state's price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they cleaned up from the severe weather.

On Memorial Day, Gov. Beshear visited the hardest impacted areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to view storm damage and speak with local officials and families affected by the severe weather.​


The State Average Unemployment Rate – means the seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rate that applies to a six-month period beginning January 1st – July 1st.  Those lookback dates will provide the average rate for the proceeding months. Kentucky remains at 16 weeks of benefits for those meeting eligibility.​

Duration of benefits 08-2024

​Kentucky Career Center offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Unemployment insurance claimants may experience a delay in payments due to banks being closed.​​

​Click here to view Disaster Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions​

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 13, 2024) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that the state will accept applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in 11 counties who are out of work as a result of the severe storms that occurred on April 2, 2024.

Following Gov. Beshear's disaster relief request, President Joe Biden issued a Major Declaration on May 22, 2024, designating the following counties for individual assistance: Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union and Whitley.

Individuals – including unemployed self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected areas and became unemployed or had work interrupted as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides on April 2, 2024 – are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.

DUA is available to individuals who:

  • Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
  • 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;
  • Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;
  • Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
  • Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
  • As a result of the disaster, became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.

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 benefits under state or federal law. Farmers and other self-employed individuals who traditionally are ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.

To receive DUA benefits, the federal program requires individuals to provide documents, including a copy of their most recent federal or state income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the DUA application is filed.

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning April 7, 2024, until Nov. 23, 2024, as long as the individual's unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.

File Claim
Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov or call 502-875-0442 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for assistance is Aug. 12, 2024.

Updated information will be communicated on the Kentucky Career Center website and future press releases with detailed information. DUA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and benefits are not charged to employers.

In response to the storms, the Governor also urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments, and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.

At the time, Gov. Beshear also activated the State Emergency Operations Center; closed all Executive Branch state office buildings and activated the state's price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the storms.

On April 3, the Governor visited Prospect in Jefferson and Oldham counties and Fayette and Jessamine counties to see storm-impacted areas and to meet with local officials and families. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman visited Ashland and Boyd counties.

Throughout the response, the Governor provided several updates to keep Kentuckians informed about the state's response. Click here for news release updates from April 2, April 3, April 4 and April 11.



​All Kentucky Career Center offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in observance of Juneteenth. Unemployment insurance claimants may experience a delay in payments due to banks being closed. ​​​

​All Kentucky Career Center offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day. Unemployment insurance claimants may experience a delay in payments due to banks being closed.​

​

Senate Bill 140, passed in the 2024 Legislative Session, codifies into Kentucky law the existing practice of waiving recovery of eligible overpayments by the Office of Unemployment Insurance. Additionally, SB 140 extends the timeframe for applicable claims that were filed between January 1, 2020 to September 6, 2021. The previous end date of eligible claims was December 31, 2020.

Federal guidance provided updated instructions for circumstances for which a state may waive recovery of overpayments under the CARES Act Unemployment Compensation (UC) programs. These programs include:

  • ​Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA),
  • Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

The federal guidance elaborated on the criteria for waiving recovery of overpayments at no fault of the claimant on a case-by-case basis. The federal guidance also expanded the scenarios for permissible use of “blanket waivers,” although recovery activities for fraudulent overpayments may not be waived. This guidance is derived from Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 20-21, Change 1. 

Please check back soon for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). ​


​Employers, did you know this program is available to you, the State Information Data Exchange System? Click the below link to learn more


After watching the video, click this link to register.

Kentucky's Self-Service 

​The UI computer system will be offline for system maintenance beginning at 6 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Availability will be restored by 7 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 3, 2024.

​ 


​Due to system upgrades, payments requested on 4-11-24 through 4-15-24 will be delayed. Please allow one to two additional business days to receive your payment.​

​Due to technical issues, the system will be down from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause our customers.

 


The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance has created a new, informative FAQ Guide to assist UI claimants. Find it here on the KCC website​.



​The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance Call Center will be available between 9 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. EDT ​on Friday, March 29, 2024, in observance of Good Friday. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Some Kentucky Career Center offices may be closed on Good Friday or have limited hours of operation. Please contact your local career center office for holiday business hours. ​


​

​UI Strike Information: FAQ for the Claimant
I am currently unemployed or have a reduction in hours due to the circumstances of a Labor Strike. 

How do I file a claim?
To file online visit the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance Website: https://kcc.ky.gov

To file by phone call(502)875-0442 (M-F 7:30 am to 5:30 pm EST)

What are my rights and responsibilities?
Reference: https://kcc.ky.gov/career/Documents/PAM400.pdf

Am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?
If you are unemployed through no fault of your own, you MAY be eligible for unemployment benefits. 

Reference: https://kcc.ky.gov/career/Documents/PAM400.pdf

Reference: KRS 341.350 statute.aspx (ky.gov)

What is a Strike/Lockout? 
A strike is a situation in which employees agree to an organized stoppage of work until the employer and the union reach an agreement about working conditions, wages and benefits.

A lockout is a  situation in which the employer prevents employees from entering the workplace until the employees/union accept a new proposal regarding working conditions.

A labor union is a group of employees who join together to advance common interest such as wages, benefits, schedules and other employment terms and conditions.  Members often pay dues to the union and elect officers to represent the group during contract negotiations.

*General knowledge terms

Reference: KRS 341.360 (1) statute.aspx (ky.gov)

Am I required to look for work?
To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must actively seek full-time work. Claimants must report at least five (5) work search activities each week. At least three (3) of these must be job applications or interviews. If you do not meet the work search requirements, you will lose benefits for the week(s) being claimed.

Only claimants with a Work Search Exception are exempt from seeking work. You are not required to conduct a job search if:

  • You are a member of a trade union that finds work for you.
  • You are a student in an approved training program (and have received a determination).
  • You have a definite recall date within 16 weeks of your initial claim filing date. Note that you will be required to provide documentation from your employer with your return-to-work date.  If you do not provide documentation, you will be subject to work search requirements.
  • You are on temporary leave of absence while still considered an employee.
  • Your employer filed a mass electronic claim (E-Claim) or Work Share Claim on your behalf.

Reference: https://kcc.ky.gov/career/Documents/PAM400.pdf

Reference: KRS 341.350 statute.aspx (ky.gov)

How do I request a payment?
It is recommended that you request benefits online instead of by phone.

You must report all earnings, wages and income to the Office of Unemployment Insurance.

Reference: Instructions on Requesting Benefits

For additional assistance:
Call (502) 564-2900
Or visit: https://kcc.ky.gov




​All Kentucky Career Center offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Unemployment insurance claimants may experience a delay in payments due to banks being closed.​

​Unemployment Insurance Claimants: 1099-G documents will soon be available in the claimant portal and mailed via the U.S. Posta​l Service by Jan. 31, 2024. Please watch this short video to learn more about your 1099-G form and how to a​​ccess.

 ​

Read the 1099-G Frequently Asked Questions​​ document for additional information.​

​​

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