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 Massachusetts’ Unemployment Program 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 Massachusetts, you must:
Learn more about Massachusetts’ requirements to qualify for Unemployment here.
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. If possible, 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 Massachusetts, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Massachusetts’ Unemployment claim portal. To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call (617) 626-6800.
If you are applying by phone, you can only call during your designated time slot, which depends on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN). See the call-in schedule below:
| Last Digit of SSN | Assigned Day to Apply by Phone |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday |
| 4, 5 or 6 | Wednesday |
| 7, 8 or 9 | Thursday |
| Any digit | Friday |
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM at:
For more information about the application process, click here.
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in Massachusetts. To determine how much an applicant will receive in Unemployment Benefits each week, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) takes the two highest earning quarters and divides the sum by 26. Then, this result is divided in half and rounded down to the nearest dollar amount.
If you only worked one or two quarters before applying for unemployment, the DUA takes your highest quarter earnings and divides this figure by 13. Then, the result is divided in half and rounded down.
The maximum weekly benefit amount in Massachusetts is $823 plus $25 for each dependent. Note that the total dependent allowance cannot exceed half of the weekly benefit amount.
Learn more about how benefits are calculated and to access the benefit calculator tool here.
The week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal 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.
You can find the Massachusetts claimant portal here. Alternatively, you may also call the TeleCert line at (617) 626-6338 between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
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.
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.
You can 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 Applications here. You may also call the TeleCert line at (617) 626-6338 between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit your appeal to the Hearing Department within 10 days of receiving a Notice of Disqualification.
To file an appeal online, log into the Unemployment Insurance Portal and navigate to the “View and Maintain” tab on the left. Then, click “Monetary and Issue Summary” and choose the “Appeal” option.
To file an appeal by mail, send the appeal request form that was attached to your Notice of Disqualification to:
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Hearings Department
19 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
If you have questions with your appeal or need help filing, visit the Hearings Department webpage or call the Hearings Department at the following numbers:
If you have general questions about Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits, call the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment’s customer service center at 1 (877) 626-6800.
Contact your local Unemployment Office or visit an office in person. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
Find answers to other topics related to Unemployment Insurance on the FAQs page here.
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, except for observed holidays listed 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 Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment’s customer service center at 1 (877) 626-6800.
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment’s customer service center is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
To request weekly benefits, you can call the automated TeleCert line at (617) 626-6338 between the hours 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
To receive a status on your payment, call the payment status line at (617) 626-6563.
You may need to contact your local unemployment office for specific application questions or assistance. Find contact information for all unemployment offices in Massachusetts below. Or, go to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Career Center location page here.
| Location | Address | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attleboro | 95 Pine Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 | 508-222-1950 | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM |
| Berkshire | 160 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 | 413-499-2220 | M-Th: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM F: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Boston | 1010 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02119 | 617-541-1400 | M, Th & F: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tu: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM W: 9:00 AM-2:30 PM |
| Brockton | 34 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 | 508-513-3400 | 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Cambridge | Fresh Pond Mall, 186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Suite 310, Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617-661-7867 | M-Th: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:45 AM-4:30 PM |
| Cape & Islands | 372 North Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 | 508-771-5627 | 8:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Chelsea | 4 Gerrish Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150 | 617-884-4333 | 9:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Downtown Boston | 75 Federal Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110 | 617-399-3100 | M, Tu & F: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM W: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM Th: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM |
| Fall River | 446 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720 | 508-730-5000 | M, Th & F: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Tu & W: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sat: 8:00 AM-1:00 PM |
| Framingham | 1671 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701 | 508-861-7993 | M-Th: 8:45 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:45 AM-4:30 PM |
| Gloucester | 5 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 | 978-283-4772 | M-Th: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM F: Closed |
| Greenfield | One Arch Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 | 413-774-4361 | M-Th: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Haverhill | 671 Kenoza Street, Haverhill Opportunity Works (HOW Building) Haverhill, MA 01830 |
978-241-4730 | M-W: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Th: 1:00 PM-4:30 PM F: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM |
| Holyoke | 850 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 | 413-532-4900 | M-W: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Th: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM F: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM |
| Lawrence | 255 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 | 978-722-7000 | M-W: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Th: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM F: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM |
| Leominster | 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453 | 978-534-1481 | M-W: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Th: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM F: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Lowell | 107 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 | 978-458-2503 | M, W & Th: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Tu: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM F: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM |
| New Bedford | 618 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740 | 508-990-4000 | M-Th: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Northampton | 20 West Street, Northampton, MA 01060 | 413-774-4361 | N/A |
| Norwood | 32 Day Street, Norwood, MA 02062 | 781-269-5494 | M-Th: 8:45 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:45 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Plymouth | 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 214B, Plymouth, MA 02360 | 617-376-5170 | M: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Tu: 10:00 AM-4:30 PM W-F: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Quincy | 1515 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169 | 617-745-4000 | M: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Tu: 10:00 AM-4:30 PM W-F: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Salem | 70 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Salem, MA 01970 | 978-825-7200 | M-W: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Th: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM F: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM |
| Southbridge | 5 Optical Drive, Suite 200, Southbridge, MA 01550 | 508-765-6430 | M-Th: 8:45 AM-5:00 PM F: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Springfield | 95 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA 01103 | 413-858-2300 | M & Tu: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM W: 8:30 AM-7:00 PM Th: 8:30 AM-3:00 PM F: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Taunton | 72 School Street, Taunton, MA 02780 | 508-977-1400 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Woburn | 100 Trade Center, Suite G-100, Woburn, MA 01801 | 781-932-5500 | M-Th: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:45 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Worcester | 340 Main Street, Suite 400, Worcester, MA 01608 | 508-799-1600 | M-Th: 8:45 AM-4:30 PM F: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
To find more information on Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim online or over the phone:
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 Massachusetts, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Massachusetts’ Unemployment claim portal. To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call (617) 626-6800.
If you are applying by phone, you can only call during your designated time slot, which depends on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN). See the call-in schedule below:
| Last Digit of SSN | Assigned Day to Apply by Phone |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday |
| 4, 5 or 6 | Wednesday |
| 7, 8 or 9 | Thursday |
| Any digit | Friday |
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM at:
For more information about the application process, click here.
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance, you can check the status of your claim by logging into the Unemployment Insurance Portal (UIP) here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the Unemployment Insurance automated status line at (617) 626-6563.
If you wish to speak to a live representative for a status update, you can reach the Call Center at 1 (877) 626-6800 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or Saturday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
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 week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal 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.
You can find the Massachusetts claimant portal here. Alternatively, you can call the TeleCert line at (617) 626-6338 between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit your appeal to the Hearing Department within 10 days of receiving a Notice of Disqualification.
To file an appeal online, log into the Unemployment Insurance Portal and navigate to the “View and Maintain” tab on the left. Then, click “Monetary and Issue Summary” and choose the “Appeal” option.
To file an appeal by mail, send the appeal request form that was attached to your Notice of Disqualification to:
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Hearings Department
19 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
You can also write a letter asking for an appeal and mail it. Include your ID number, a phone number and your signature.
If you have questions with your appeal or need help filing, visit the Hearings Department webpage or call the Hearings Department at the following numbers:
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment at (877) 626-6800.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment customer service telephone line is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, except for observed holidays listed 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.
