Unemployment Benefits FAQ Sheets

1. How to Apply for American Samoa Unemployment Insurance
2. How to Check Your Application Status
3. The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
4. How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
5. Need More Help?
6. View or Download Our Free Guide

How to Apply for American Samoa Unemployment Insurance

To apply for Unemployment Insurance in American Samoa, complete the following three steps:

1. Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
To file a claim, you will need:

• Valid identification: a U.S. Passport, driver’s license or American Samoa Government ID
• Your Social Security card and
• Your latest paycheck stub

2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether by phone or in person.
To apply for Unemployment insurance by phone, call (684) 633-4485.
While there is no American Samoa Unemployment Office, you can apply in person at the below locations, or click here to contact the American Samoa Government office online.

3. Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the American Samoa Government Department of Human Resources (ASG-DHR) customer service center at (684) 633-4485.

How to Check Your Application Status

You can check the status of your application by calling the American Samoa Government Department of Human Resources customer service center at (684) 633-4485.

The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week

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. The ASG-DHR 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.

How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial

If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal within 60 days of the determination date. You can find out more about the appeal process by calling the American Samoa Government Department of Human Resources at (684) 633-4485.

Need More Help?

To find more information on American Samoa Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:

• The American Samoa website here.
• The American Samoa ASG-DHR Frequently Asked Questions page here.

To file an Unemployment Insurance claim, call (877) 664-6984.

To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on American Samoa Unemployment Insurance, visit the American Samoa COVID-19 information page here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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.

Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

1. What Is Unemployment Insurance?
2. What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
3. How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
4. When to Apply for Unemployment
5. How to Apply for American Samoa Unemployment Insurance
6. How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
7. I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
8. What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
9. How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
10. Need More Help?
11. View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is Unemployment Insurance?

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 American Samoa’s Unemployment Program Overview page here.

What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

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.

How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in American Samoa, you must:

• Have lost your job due to no fault of your own.
• Be able to work.
• Be actively seeking work.
• Meet American Samoa’s monetary and personal eligibility requirements.

Learn more about American Samoa’s eligibility requirements here.

When to Apply for Unemployment

Apply for benefits 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.

How to Apply for American Samoa Unemployment Insurance

To apply for Unemployment Insurance in American Samoa, complete the following three steps:

1. Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
   To file a claim, you will need valid identification (such as a U.S. Passport, driver’s license or American Samoa Government ID), your Social Security card and your latest paycheck stub.

2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether by phone or in person.
   To apply for Unemployment insurance by phone, call (684) 633-4485.
   While there is no American Samoa Unemployment Office, you can apply in person at the below locations, or click here to contact the American Samoa Government office online.

3. Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the American Samoa Government Department of Human Resources (ASG-DHR) customer service center at (684) 633-4485.

How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated

The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you worked for in American Samoa. To determine the amount you will receive each week, the American Samoa Government will look at your earnings during your base period.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive funds from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program of up to $600 each week.

I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?

1. Report Your Waiting Week
   The week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application. The ASG-DHR 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.

2. Start Looking for Work
   Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least two contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.

3. Discuss Possible Issues
   If you were discharged or quit your last job, expect a call (or email if that is your preferred contact method) to determine if you are eligible for unemployment insurance.

What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?

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.

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.

How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial

If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal within 60 days of the determination date. You can find out more about the appeal process by calling the American Samoa Government Department of Human Resources at (684) 633-4485.

Need More Help?

To find more information on American Samoa Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:

• The American Samoa Unemployment website here.
• The American Samoa ASG-DHR Frequently Asked Questions page here.

To file an Unemployment Insurance claim, call (877) 664-6984.

To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on American Samoa Unemployment Insurance, visit the American Samoa COVID-19 information page here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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.

Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.