Filing an Unemployment Claim - Massachusetts

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You must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own, and you must have earned sufficient wages in your primary base period (the last 4 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the date on which your claim is effective). Also, you must be able and available for full-time work.

You can apply online or over the phone at 1-877-626-6800.

You can receive a weekly benefit of approximately 50 percent of your weekly wage, up to a maximum of $823 per week.

The maximum number of weeks you can collect full benefits is 30 (capped at 26 weeks during periods of extended benefits).

You must continue to file weekly either online on your UI Online account or by telephone. 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 employment, you must make at least three employer contacts each week you file for benefits using the Work Search Activity Log. Finally, you must accept suitable work.

You may appeal a disqualification by requesting a hearing. To request a hearing, you should complete the bottom of your disqualification notice, indicating you want to appeal the decision. Appeals maybe filed by mail, by fax, or in person. Your request must be in writing and filed within 10 calendar days of the mailing date of the disqualification.

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Madeline Messa

Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.