Certain qualifications for unemployment benefits in Minnesota determine whether or not former employees are eligible to receive unemployment insurance coverage. If you meet unemployment insurance eligibility requirements, you can file a claim to receive unemployment aid through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Residents, who have become unemployed through no fault of their own and are physically able and willing to work, may be able to apply for unemployment benefits. Minnesota former employees must meet all other unemployment insurance eligibility requirements in order to be granted unemployment insurance coverage within the state.

Unemployment benefits in Minnesota are funded by taxes paid by employers. The amount of benefits you receive if you meet eligibility for unemployment depends on your past earnings. Minnesota may also offer unemployment insurance eligibility to those whose work hours have been significantly reduced.

Any resident who qualifies for unemployment benefits must also meet weekly eligibility requirements. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development states that unemployment assistance may be granted to eligible participants for up to 26 weeks.

The weekly benefit amount you may receive from unemployment insurance is approximately 50 percent of your average weekly wage. However, be mindful that the calculations provided by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development are subject to change at any time.

We have compiled helpful information, hints, and tips about qualifying for unemployment benefits in Minnesota on this website and FAQs and our free guide. Read more below to learn about who can qualify for unemployment in Minnesota.

Who Can Get Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota?

Residents must meet unemployment insurance eligibility requirements in Minnesota in order to qualify to receive unemployment aid. Former employees may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance coverage if their previous employer insured them and they earned the minimum wage requirements during their base period.

The base period in Minnesota consists of a one-year period of time that holds four different calendar quarters. Your base period will depend on when you apply to receive unemployment benefits within the state. The base period may be calculated differently, providing that you meet the minimum age requirements using at least one of the following ways:

• The first four of calendar quarters of the past five quarters OR
• The last four completed calendar quarters prior to the initial unemployment claim

Eligibility for EDD requires unemployment claimants to have earned a certain percentage of the state’s average annual wage during their base period. Earnings calculated include commissions, bonuses, overtime, vacation, severance pay, and wages earned out of the state.

Additional important qualifications for unemployment require residents to be:

• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Fully or partially unemployed.
• Unemployed through no fault of his or her own.
• Actively seeking suitable employment weekly.
• Able and willing to start working at any given time.

What are the Requirements to Get Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota?

Minnesota former employees must be unemployed through no fault of their own in order to meet unemployment insurance eligibility requirements. Additionally, each unemployment claimant is required to meet weekly unemployment eligibility requirements by actively seeking new job opportunities.

A claimant who qualifies for unemployment must dedicate time each week to seeking open employment positions that match their skills, training, job experience and mental and physical abilities. Active participation in seeking a job includes:

• Assessing your different skills.
• Creating or updating your resume.
• Meeting with a job counselor.
• Attending job fairs or workshops.

Former temporary employees who meet eligibility for EDD may seek new temporary employment opportunities until they are hired by their employers. If you are part of the state’s hiring hall union, you may have assistance when performing job searches.

Eligibility for unemployment in Minnesota may be granted to you if you have been laid off due to a lack of business resources. However, if you were let go due to misconduct or criminal charges, you will not meet eligibility for unemployment insurance. Other reasons for denied unemployment coverage include quitting your job voluntarily for no good reason.

A claimant who qualifies for unemployment insurance must comply with additional requirements in order to be granted continuous unemployment benefits. All unemployment claimants must be physically and mentally able to work. If you have a medical condition that restricts you in a certain way, you must seek employment that you are able to perform.

Qualifications for unemployment aid also require claimants to be willing to seek and accept the hours, wage, commuting distance, and all other conditions regarding a job opportunity that complies with their skills and experience. If a claimant is taking classes of any kind while receiving unemployment insurance, he or she must be able to rearrange or drop any classes in order to accept a new job.

Last Updated: February 28, 2023