What is Unemployment Insurance?

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own while seeking a new job. Unemployment benefits help bridge the gap between jobs by replacing part of the worker's lost income.

UI is funded entirely by employer contributions. In Georgia, no withholdings are made from workers' pay for these benefits.

The Internet claim filing system is designed to enable you to file a claim for unemployment benefits. You will not be charged a fee for using this service.

Who can file a Georgia claim?

Individuals who worked or earned wages in the state of Georgia in the past 2 years can file a Georgia claim; and

If you reside in Georgia, you must also register for employment services at EmployGeorgia.com immediately upon filing your claim to avoid delay or denial of benefits; or

If you reside outside the state of Georgia and have earned Georgia wages in the past two years, contact the State Workforce Agency in your state of residence to register for employment services in the state of residence.

Information for individuals who may be eligible to file a claim in another state:

• If you reside in Georgia and have not earned Georgia wages in the past two years but earned wages in another state, contact UI Customer Service at 1.877.709.8185 (toll-free) to obtain information for filing a claim against the proper state. You will be required to register for employment services at EmployGeorgia.com.

What do you need to file your unemployment claim?

• A mobile phone, laptop or computer with a camera
• Your Social Security Number
• Documents for the ID.me process (View list of documents)
• Bank account information (if your preferred payment method is direct deposit)
• Your work history for the past 2 years
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, your alien registration number and documentation
• If you served in the military in the past 2 years, DD-24 Form Member (Member 4 copy)
• If you are a federal civilian employee, SF-50 or SF-8 Form
• Bank routing and account number (if your preferred payment method is direct deposit and benefits are allowed)

Important things to know about filing a claim

• You must verify your identity during the claims filing process to complete your unemployment claim application and receive payments if benefits are allowed.
• The information you have entered will be held for 120 hours during which you may save data entered and reopen your claim application to add additional information. If you choose not to continue with the claim process after that time, your information will be deleted to preserve your privacy.
• If you knowingly make false statements or withhold information to obtain or increase your unemployment benefits, you may be subject to penalties and criminal prosecution. You may also have to repay any benefits paid to you.
• You must have earned sufficient wages during the claim base period to establish a monetary claim.
• The approximate length of time you can expect to spend filling out the Internet claim is 30 minutes.
• The date of your claim will be based on the date and time in Georgia when the claim confirmation is issued. The final form will announce the completion of your claim filing and issue a confirmation number. Your claim will not be processed if you have not received a confirmation number.
• You should normally receive a written decision on whether you are eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits within 21 days from the date your claim is filed.
• In order to establish your claim, you are required to establish a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to use each time you certify or ask about a payment. You will make up your own PIN to use. Use a 4-digit number that you can remember, but one that is not easy for anyone to guess. All further electronic communication with the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will require the entry of this PIN.

Affidavit to Verify Applicant's Lawful Presence in the U.S.

• Georgia law requires that all applicants for unemployment benefits who are 18 years of age or older sign an affidavit attesting they are (1) a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident or (2) a non-citizen legally present in the United States.
• You must provide valid government-issued picture identification to complete the affidavit. Employment Authorization Document(s) are also required for non-citizens. Your employment authorization status registration with the Department of Homeland Security must be verified before benefits can be paid, if eligible.
• If you are filing your claim in a GDOL career center and have the required document(s), you may complete the affidavit the same day. Otherwise, you will receive an email providing instruction on completing the affidavit process.
• If you have already completed an Applicant Status Affidavit, you will not be required to complete the process again as this is a one-time requirement; however, each time a non-citizen files a claim for any type of UI benefits, Employment Authorization Document(s) must be provided.
• Failure to complete the affidavit process may result in a delay or denial of benefits.
• You must indicate acknowledgement of the affidavit requirement below to proceed to the application.

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