You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, and you must have earned sufficient wages in your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the start date of your claim, or alternatively the last 4 quarters). Also, you must be able and available for full-time work.

You can apply online.

Your weekly benefit amount is determined by the amount of wages in the quarter of the base period in which your earnings were the highest. See the Washington DC website for more information on how to calcuate your benefit amount.

The length of time that you will receive benefits is also based on how much you made during the base period, and you can receive a total amount of benefits equal to 50% of your base period wages or 26 times your weekly benefit amount, whichever is less.

You must continue to file weekly online at DC Works or via phone. Also, you must continue to be able and available for full-time work. You must actively seek employment, while keeping a record of your work search activities. To be actively seeking work, you must contact at least two employers each week you file for benefits. You must also register for work with your local DC Works! One Stop Career Center. Finally, you must accept suitable work.

You must appeal within 15 calendar days from the date the decision was mailed to you. Your appeal form may be submitted by mail or by fax. Also, you should keep filing your weekly claims regularly because you could only be paid for weeks you filed if you win your appeal. For more information on appeals, log in to your UI Claimant Services account.

Visit the District of Columbia Website

Read the Claimant Handbook