While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Unemployment Insurance is a benefit program designed to replace part of the income of recently unemployed or underemployed workers. Unemployment Insurance is available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.
Learn more about Unemployment on Alabama’s Unemployment Program Overview page here.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits are weekly payments given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments are typically provided via direct deposits to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Alabama, you must:
Learn more about Alabama’s monetary and personal eligibility requirements here, on page 6.
Apply for benefits online here during the week you are seeking payment, when your hours have been reduced or when you are no longer employed. Do NOT wait until the week is over.
Learn more information on when to apply for Unemployment Insurance here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Alabama, complete the following three steps:
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Alabama Department of Labor’s Unemployment Compensation customer service line Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST:
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by the employers that you worked for in Alabama. To determine the amount of benefits you will receive each week, the Alabama Department of Labor (DOL) takes the highest-earning quarter in the applicant’s base period and divides that amount by 21.
The minimum weekly benefit amount in Alabama is $45. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $265.
Learn more about Alabama’s base period and how benefits are calculated here on page 8.
Learn more about what to expect after applying here.
You must file a Weekly Certification Application every week you are receiving Unemployment Benefits until you are employed again. This weekly claim is like a follow-up application that certifies your continued eligibility for the program, and proves you are actively applying for new jobs.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
File your Weekly Certification Application here.
It’s important to remember that you will stop receiving Unemployment Benefits and your Unemployment Claim will be canceled if you have not filed Weekly Certifications for two or more consecutive weeks.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal letter to the Department of Labor by fax at (334) 956-5891, or you can send a request by mail to:
Alabama Department of Labor
Hearing and Appeals Division
649 Monroe Street, Room 4677
Montgomery, AL 36131
You may not file an appeal online or by phone, as appeals must be in writing. Learn about the appeals process here.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Alabama Department of Labor at (800) 361-4524 and select option 1.
You can also visit or call a local Career Center for further assistance. Find your nearest local office location and contact information here.
The Alabama Department of Labor customer service telephone line and all local Unemployment Offices are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM CST, except for the observed holidays noted here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
If you have general questions about Alabama Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Alabama Department of Labor (DOL) customer service center at (800) 361-4524 and select option 1. Or, you can fill out the “Request For Unemployment Compensation Information” online to submit your question through the DOL website here.
You can also submit your questions by fax to the Unemployment Compensation Call Center at the following numbers:
If you have questions about application appeals, call the Unemployment Hearings and Appeals Division (HAD) at (800) 321-9323. Learn more about the appeals process here.
All Alabama DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM CST, except for the observed holidays here.
Alabama has 47 Career Centers. Find your nearest local office’s location, hours of operation, and phone number below. Or, go to the Alabama DOL Contact Us page here.
| Location | Address | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | Alabaster Career Center 109 Plaza Circle Alabaster, AL 35007 |
(205) 663-2542 (205) 664-9229 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Albertville | Albertville Career Center 5920 U S Highway 431 North Albertville, AL 35950 |
(256) 878-3031 (256) 878-7728 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Alexander City | Alex City Career Center 1375 Jr. College Drive Alexander City, AL 35010 |
(256) 215-4494 (256) 215-4516 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Andalusia | Andalusia Satellite Career Center 1000 Dannelly Boulevard Andalusia, AL 36420 |
(334) 881-2304 (334) 881-2201 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Anniston | Anniston Comprehensive Career Center 1731 Coleman Road Anniston, AL 36207 |
(256) 832-0147 (256) 832-1183 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Athens | Athens Career Center 406 South Jefferson Street Athens, AL 35611 |
(256) 230-0880 (256) 230-0848 fax |
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday and Friday |
| Bay Minette | Bay Minette Affiliate Career Center 201 Faulkner Drive Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
(251) 937-4161 (251) 937-2859 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Birmingham | Birmingham Comprehensive Career Center 3216 4th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 |
(205) 582-5200 (205) 254-1387 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Birmingham | Jefferson State Satellite Career Center 2601 Carson Road Birmingham, AL 35215 |
(205) 856-8024 (205) 856-6033 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Blountsville | Blountsville Career Center 68644 Main St, Ste 5 Blountsville, AL 35031 |
(205) 429-4311 (205) 429-5402 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday and Friday |
| Brewton | Brewton Affiliate Career Center 1023 Douglas Avenue Suite 314 Brewton, AL 36426 |
(251) 867-4376 (251) 867-5798 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Camden | Camden Career Center 223-A Claiborne Street Camden, AL 36726 |
(334) 682-9428 (334) 682-9613 fax |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday |
| Cullman | Cullman Affiliate Career Center 1201 Katherine Street Northwest Cullman, AL 35055 |
(256) 734-5580 (256) 734-6460 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Decatur | Decatur Affiliate Career Center 1819 Bassett Avenue SE Decatur, AL 35601 |
(256) 355-0142 (256) 355-0174 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Demopolis | Demopolis Affiliate Career Center 1074 Bailey Drive Demopolis, AL 36732 |
(334) 289-0202 (334) 289-8024 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Dothan | Dothan Comprehensive Career Center 787 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL 36303 |
(334) 792-2121 (334) 792-2124 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Enterprise | Enterprise Affiliate Career Center 2021 Boll Weevil Circle Enterprise, AL 36330 |
(334) 347-0044 (334) 393-0958 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Eufaula | Eufaula Affiliate Career Center 122 Paul Lee Pkwy Eufaula, AL 36027 |
(334) 687-3551 (334) 687-9964 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Fayette | Fayette Satellite Career Center 2631 Temple Avenue N, Tom Bevill Center Room B-37 Fayette, AL 35555 |
(205) 932-3221 (205) 932-2934 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Foley | Foley Affiliate Career Center 200 West Michigan Avenue Foley, AL 36535 |
(251) 943-1575 (251) 943-8867 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Fort Payne | Fort Payne Affiliate Career Center 2100 Jordan Road SW Fort Payne, AL 35968 |
(256) 845-2900 (256) 845-5139 fax |
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Gadsden | Gadsden Affiliate Career Center 216 North 5th Street Gadsden, AL 35901 |
(256) 546-4667 (256) 546-6603 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Greenville | Greenville Affiliate Career Center 117 West Commerce Street Greenville, AL 36037 |
(334) 382-3128 (334) 382-9066 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Haleyville | Haleyville Career Center 2010 9th Avenue North Haleyville, AL 35565 |
(205) 486-4154 (205) 486-4157 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 1st and 3rd Monday of the month |
| Hamilton | Hamilton Satellite Career Center 1481 Military Street South Hamilton, AL 35570 |
(205) 921-7657 (205) 458-2279 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Hayneville | Hayneville Career Center Family Guidance Center 22 Washington Street N Hayneville, AL 36040 |
(334) 548-6307 (334) 288-7286 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month |
| Huntsville | Huntsville Comprehensive Career Center 2535 Sparkman Drive NW Huntsville, AL 35810 |
(256) 851-0537 (256) 851-8278 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Jackson | Jackson Affiliate Career Center 205 Walker Springs Road Jackson, AL 36545 |
(251) 246-2453 (251) 246-4797 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Jasper | Jasper Affiliate Career Center 2604 Viking Drive Jasper, AL 35501 |
(205) 221-2576 (205) 221-4595 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Livingston | Livingston Career Center University of West Alabama Kelly Land Hall, Student Union Drive Livingston, AL 35470 |
(205) 652-3836 (334) 289-8024 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday |
| Luverne | Luverne Career Center 886 Glenwood Road Luverne, AL 36049 |
(334) 335-2300 (334) 335-2306 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday |
| Mobile | Mobile Comprehensive Career Center 515 Springhill Plaza Court Mobile, AL 36608 |
(251) 461-4146 (251) 461-4443 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Monroeville | Monroeville Affiliate Career Center 2119 Highway 21 Bypass, Suite 100 Monroeville, AL 36460 |
(251) 575-3894 (251) 575-3351 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Montgomery | Montgomery Comprehensive Career Center 1060 East South Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36116 |
(334) 286-1746 (334) 288-7286 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Opelika | Opelika Affiliate Career Center 2300 Frederick Road Opelika, AL 36801 |
(334) 749-5065 (334) 749-5031 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Pell City | Pell City Affiliate Career Center 311 Miles Parkway PO Box1045 Pell City, AL 35125 |
(205) 338-5440 (205) 338-5443 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Phenix City | Phenix City Career Center 2602 College Drive Phenix City, AL 36869 |
(334) 214-4828 | 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Phil Campbell | Phil Campbell Career Center 2080 College Rd Phil Campbell, AL 35581 |
(256) 331-6285 (205) 458-2279 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 1st Wednesday of the month |
| Roanoke | Roanoke Satellite Career Center 3928 Highway 431 Roanoke, AL 36274 |
(334) 863-8114 (334) 863-8412 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Scottsboro | Scottsboro Satellite Career Center 23123 John T. Reid Parkway Scottsboro, AL 35769 |
(256) 574-1720 (256) 574-4512 fax |
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Selma | Selma Affiliate Career Center 1112 Water Avenue Selma, AL 36703 |
(334) 872-0471 (334) 872-4355 fax |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday |
| Sheffield | Sheffield Affiliate Career Center 500 South Montgomery Avenue Suite 102 Sheffield, AL 35660 |
(256) 383-5610 (256) 383-4983 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Talladega | Talladega Affiliate Career Center 1005 South Street East Talladega, AL 35160 |
(256) 480-2109 (256) 362-7219 fax |
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Troy | Troy Affiliate Career Center 1023 South Brundidge Street Troy, AL 36081 |
(334) 566-3920 (334) 566-9450 fax |
7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday |
| Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa Comprehensive Career Center 202 Skyland Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 |
(205) 758-7591 (205) 758-1925 fax |
7:45 AM – 4:45 PM Monday – Friday |
| Valley | Valley Satellite Career Center 321 Fob James Drive Valley, AL 36854 |
(334) 756-0024 (334) 756-0026 fax |
7:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Tuesday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM Friday |
| Vernon | Vernon Career Center 44425 Alabama Highway 17 Vernon, AL 35592 |
(205) 932-3221 (205) 932-2934 fax |
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month |
To find more information on Alabama Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim:
To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on Alabama Unemployment Insurance, visit the Alabama Department of Labor (DOL) COVID-19 information page here.
If you have a question about Alabama Employer Unemployment Insurance:
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Alabama, complete the following three steps:
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Alabama Department of Labor’s Unemployment Compensation customer service line Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST:
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging into your account through the Alabama claimant portal here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the Alabama Department of Labor’s customer service line at (800) 361-4524.
You will not begin receiving Unemployment Benefits immediately after submitting the application. By law, you must wait one week before finding out whether you will begin receiving benefits. This is called the Waiting Week.
The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal here and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here on page 10.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal letter to the Department of Labor by fax at (334) 956-5891, or you can send a request by mail to:
Alabama Department of Labor
Hearing and Appeals Division
649 Monroe Street, Room 4677
Montgomery, AL 36131
You cannot file an appeal online or by phone in the state of Alabama. Appeals must be submitted in writing. Learn more about the unemployment application appeals process here.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Alabama Department of Labor at (800) 361-4524 and select option 1.
You can also visit or call a local Career Center for further assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information online here.
The Alabama Department of Labor customer service telephone line and all local Unemployment Offices are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM CST, except for the observed holidays noted here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
