HomeMy Public PortalAboutunemployment bro P2594-04-10-23www.mass.gov/dua
A Guide to Benefits and Employment Services for Claimants
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A Message from the Director
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a temporary income protection
program for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their
own. The program helps unemployed workers while they look for
work. The funding for UI benefits comes from employer contributions.
Workers do not pay any part of the cost of UI benefits.
This handbook contains general information regarding UI benefits.
Additionally, it discusses steps you need to take in order to receive and
maintain those benefits, including, how to establish your own UI Online
account, how to apply, when to apply, and how to request weekly
benefits. This guide will help you understand your responsibilities while
receiving UI benefits, the eligibility requirements, and assist you in
returning to the workforce by supporting your re-employment efforts.
If you need assistance, or have additional questions, please visit
www.mass.gov/dua, or call the Department of Unemployment
Assistance Customer Service Department at (877) 626-6800.
If you believe someone has applied for unemployment benefits
using your personal information, use our secure fraud reporting form
at www.mass.gov/dua/fraud to alert us or call the Department of
Unemployment Insurance Customer Service Department at
(877) 626-6800.
Katie Dishnica, Director
Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance
Form P2594 Rev. 04-24-23
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Table of Contents
1. About Unemployment Insurance.………..........................................6
What is Unemployment Insurance?
DUA’s role in administering the UI program
2. UI Eligibility Requirements.............................................................6
Who is not eligible to receive UI benefits?
3. Filling an Unemployment Insurance Claim......................................8
When should you file for UI benefits?
How long does it take to process a new claim?
How to file a claim
Creating your UI Online account
Information you will need to file a claim
Claiming a dependent child
Applying for benefits from outside of Massachusetts
Out of country advisory
How to manage your account and benefits
How to communicate with DUA
How DUA communicates with you
4. About your UI Benefits.................................................................13
Calculating the amount of UI benefits you are eligible to receive
Receiving your UI benefits
Requesting weekly UI benefits
Maintaining UI benefits
5. Appeals........................................................................................22
Appealing an initial determination
Hearings
Board of Review
Your right to representation
6. Overpayments.............................................................................24
What happens if you receive an overpayment of benefits
Repayment
Fraud detection and reporting
7. Other UI Programs.......................................................................26
Training Opportunities Program
MassHire Career Centers
Benefit Accuracy Measurement
8. Frequently Asked Questions........................................................28
9. Glossary of UI Terms....................................................................31
10. Quick Reference Guide................................................................34
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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Multilingual services are available upon request.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals who
require them. For hearing impaired relay services, call 711.
The Department of Unemployment Assistance is an equal opportunity
employer.
Form P2594 Rev. 01-08-18
– 6 –Form P2594 Rev. 01-01-23
1. About Unemployment Insurance
What is Unemployment Insurance?
Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary cash benefits and other
services to eligible unemployed workers who are able to work, available
for work, and actively seeking work. The United States Department of
Labor (USDOL) oversees the system, but each state administers its own
program. The UI programs are paid for almost entirely by employer payroll
contributions. Employees do not pay any part of the cost of UI Benefits
associated with Massachusetts unemployment claims.
DUA’s role in administering the UI program
As the state agency responsible for administering UI in Massachusetts,
DUA determines how much employers should contribute to the program,
collects employer contributions to the program, and processes requests
for benefits. 2. UI Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive UI benefits, you must be unemployed or
your hours must have been reduced by the employer to less than a full-
time schedule due to the employer’s employment needs. In addition, you
must meet certain criteria. These criteria include:
• You must not have caused your separation from employment or
reduction in hours.
• You must have earned at least $6,000 (rounded down to nearest
hundred dollars) during the four calendar quarters prior to the quarter
in which you file for UI benefits. This time period is called your “base
period”.
• The wages you earned must be at least 30 times the amount of
UI benefits you would be eligible to receive on a weekly basis.
• If you have not earned enough wages within your base period to
qualify for benefits, you may qualify using an “alternative base
period.” The alternative base period uses wages earned during the
three most recently completed calendar quarters, plus the period
between the last completed quarter and the effective date of the
claim. The effective date of your claims is typically the Sunday of the
calendar week in which you initially filed your claim.
You are eligible to use the alternate base period if:
1) You have not earned enough wages (at least $6,000 rounded
to the nearest hundred dollars) in your primary base period, or
2) The alternate base period would result in you receiving at least
10% more in weekly benefits.
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Who is not eligible to receive UI benefits?
The Massachusetts UI program covers a wide range of employees.
However, there are many workers who are not covered under
Massachusetts UI law. Workers who fall into the following categories
are not eligible for UI benefits in Massachusetts:
• Workers who provide services for churches and certain religious
organizations
• Students participating in work-training programs administered by
a non-profit or public educational institution
• Workers who are part of a student financial aid assistance
program provided by a school, college or university where the
student/employee attends classes, or similar employment for the
student’s spouse provided the spouse, is notified at the time of
hire that UI is not provided
• Workers who are employed in certified seasonal positions
provided they were notified at the time of hire that the employment
was seasonal.
• Real estate brokers or salespeople licensed by the state and paid
solely by commission
• Insurance agents or solicitors paid solely by commission (except
industrial life insurance agents)
• Sole proprietors and members of partnerships,
◦ Most children under 18 who work for their mother or father
◦ Most individuals who work for their daughter, son, or spouse
• Independent contractors (DUA determines whether the worker is an
independent contractor. If you were paid under a 1099, you may be
eligible under certain circumstances.)
• Self-employed individuals working independent of the direction and
control of an employer
• Certain employees of state and local governments, such as
elected officials, members of a legislative body or of the judiciary,
emergency employees hired during a disaster, inmates in custodial
or penal institutions, including those on work release, and members
of the Massachusetts National Guard or Air National Guard
• Government officials in policy-making and advisory positions
Note: You are not eligible for benefits for any period of time you are
outside of the United States, its territories, or Canada; you should not
request benefits for that time.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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3. Filing an Unemployment Insurance Claim
When should you file for UI benefits?
If you have been separated from work, or your work schedule has
been reduced, you should apply for UI benefits during your first week
of total or partial unemployment. Your claim will begin on the Sunday
of the calendar week in which your claim is filed. This date is known as
your “effective claim date”. Waiting more than a full week to file a claim
will delay the beginning of your claim and benefits may not be paid for
the week(s) of unemployment that occurred prior to the week of filing.
How long does it take to process a new claim?
When you apply for benefits, DUA sends a request to all employers
listed on your claim for information regarding your past wages and
the reason(s) you were separated. Each employer has 10 days to
respond. If the employer does not respond within 10 days, DUA may
contact you or the employer again for any missing wage information.
If the reason you are no longer employed is something other than a
lack of work, both you and the employer will be asked to complete
a questionnaire to explain the circumstances of your separation or
change in work schedule.
Once the wage and separation information is complete, DUA
calculates how much your UI benefits will be and how long you will be
eligible to receive UI benefits.
Once you’ve applied for benefits, you must continue to request
benefits every week that you remain unemployed or work reduced
hours. If you are eligible, you will receive payments for the weeks that
you previously claimed, except for a one-week unpaid waiting period,
required by Massachusetts Law. The waiting period is explained later
in further detail. If you do not request benefits while your claim is being
processed, you may not be eligible to receive benefits for those weeks.
If there are no issues with your claim, DUA will issue your first benefit
payment in 3 to 4 weeks.
How to file a claim
• The fastest and easiest way to file a claim is by using UI Online at:
www.mass.gov/dua. UI Online is available 7 days a week from
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you do not have access to a computer, visit your local library or
MassHire Career Center to use free, publicly-available computers.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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• You can also file a claim by calling the TeleClaim Center:
◦ Call (617) 626-6800. TeleClaim Center hours are Monday to
Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For the hearing-impaired relay
service, call 711. Language services are also available through
the TeleClaim Center upon request.
• For in-person assistance, you can make an appointment to visit the
Boston Re-Employment Center (REC) located at:
2 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Visit www.mass.gov/rec to learn about REC services offered and how to
make an appointment.
Creating your UI Online account
When you apply for benefits using UI Online for the first time, you will
be asked to:
• Enter your Social Security Number (SSN).
• Create a password. Your password must contain at least
8 characters and include the following:
◦ At least 1 number
◦ At least 1 uppercase letter
◦ At least 1 lowercase letter
◦ At least 1 special character (i.e., &!@*)
• Select a security question and answer.
• Accept the IRS terms by checking the box on the screen.
It is important for you to remember your password and security question
and answer. You will use your SSN and your password to access
UI Online each week that you request your benefit payment.
If you forget your password, you can reset it by clicking Forgot
Password, answering the security question, and selecting a new
password.
Information you will need to file a claim
You should be prepared to provide the following information when you
apply for benefits:
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth (month, day, and year)
• Home address, telephone number, and email address (if available)
• Whether you have filed a UI claim in Massachusetts, or in any other
state during the past 12 months
• The names and addresses of all employers you have worked for
during the past 15 months, and the dates you worked for each
employer. If you are reopening a claim, be prepared to provide the
same information for any employment you have had since your
Form P2594 Rev. 12-07-22
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claim was last active.
• Your Military discharge papers: form DD-214, member copy 4. If you
don’t have it, you can request your DD-214 online at: www.dd214.us
• If you were employed by the federal government within the past
18 months, the SF-8 and/or SF-50 form given to you by your
government employer at the time of your separation
• The reason why you are no longer working or why your hours have
been reduced
• Last day of employment
• The names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers of any
dependent children that you plan to claim as a dependent
• Alien Registration Number or verification that you were legally
eligible to work in the United States, and that you are currently
eligible to begin a new job. To learn more, visit www.mass.gov/dua/
save
• Bank account number, and the routing or transit number of your bank
(if you would like to receive your payment by direct deposit)
Claiming a dependent child
If you have children that you support financially, DUA may increase the
amount of your weekly benefits. This is referred to as the Dependency
Allowance (DA). Under this allowance, you may be eligible for an
increase of $25 per week for each dependent child.
In order to claim a dependent child:
• You must be the parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, or legal
guardian of the child.
• The child must be under 18 years of age as of the effective date of
your UI claim, or over 18 and be unable to earn a wage because of
a permanent mental or physical disability, or between the ages of
18 and 24, and a full-time student at an educational institution.
• The child must reside in the United States or its territories or
possessions.
• You must currently be, and have been, the whole or main source
of support during the 15 months before you apply for benefits or be
under a court order to contribute to the child’s support.
• No other claimant may receive a dependency allowance for this
dependent during the same weeks of UI benefits.
Applying for benefits from outside of Massachusetts
If you worked in Massachusetts and have moved to another state, you
may still be eligible for benefits under UI law. This type of claim is known
as an interstate claim. Interstate claims are subject to Massachusetts
Law as if you were still living in the Commonwealth. You can apply
Form P2594 Rev. 12-13-22
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for your interstate UI claim using UI Online or by calling the TeleClaim
Center.
Out of country advisory
Federal Law prohibits the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from
accepting claims from outside the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S.
Virgin Islands, and Canada. You are not eligible for benefits for any
period of time you are outside of the United States, its territories or
Canada; you should not request benefits for that time.
How to manage your account and benefits
As a claimant, there are a number of ways you can access DUA
services. The table below describes how UI Online, our automated
phone system and our representatives, can help you manage your
account and benefits.
ActivityActivity UI Online Automated Phone system Live TeleClaim Representative
File a new claim √√
Reopen an existing claim √√ (if you’ve had no new employment)√
Request weekly benefits √√
Submit weekly work search activities √
Check account balance and claim status √√√
Verify last payment amount and date √√√
Set up/change/cancel payment method (direct deposit or debit card)√√
Elect tax withholding √√
Update contact information including address, phone, and email √
File an appeal (can also be filed by mail)√
Set up, view, and respond to your UI documents electronically √
Request 1099G form √√√
Add a dependent child √√
Change your UI Online password √
Change your TeleCert PIN √
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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How to Communicate with DUA
Many of the documents that DUA sends have response deadlines.
Please review all correspondence carefully and respond immediately
to any time-sensitive correspondence. Failure to do so could delay
your UI benefits or cause you to become ineligible. Be sure to keep all
documents related to your claim.
You can submit documents to DUA either electronically or by U.S. Postal
Service.
Electronically U.S. Postal Service
Scan and save your document (in
PDF format) to your computer.
Access your UI Online account
at www.mass.gov/dua.
Access your UI Online account at
www.mass.gov/dua.
From your UI Online Home
page, go to View and Maintain
Account Information.
From your UI Online Home page,
go to View and Maintain
Account Information.
Click on Monetary and Issue
Summary.
Click on the pending issue that
the documentation you would like
to provide applies to (if more than
one issue is pending).
Click the hyperlink to the issue
number that corresponds to the
issue you are responding to.
Select the Upload option.Check off the box to generate
a scan cover sheet.
Click on the Browse button
and select the source of the
document. Double-click on
your file name and enter a brief
description for the document.
Click Submit and please
make sure your pop-up blocker
is turned off.
Select the source, add the
received date, and click Upload.
Print the scan cover sheet to
mail back to DUA with your
documentation
Form P2594 Rev. 01-08-18
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How DUA Communicates with You
There are several ways that DUA will communicate with you regarding
your UI claims. You will automatically receive correspondence by U.S.
Mail unless you select electronic correspondence (email). Occasionally,
we may contact you by a telephone broadcast message, if there is an
update or important information about the UI benefit program.
Method Description
Email
Electronic correspondence is strongly encouraged as it may
result in faster processing and payments.
You can request to receive all notices electronically at any
time by updating your personal information on UI Online or
by calling the TeleClaim Center. If you choose to receive
your correspondence electronically, an email will notify
you when new correspondence is posted to your UI Online
account. The email will direct you to log in to your UI Online
account to view your correspondence.
To change your preference, log in to UI Online, select View
and Maintain, and change your preference to Electronic or
U.S. Mail under Contact Information.
Note: Electronic correspondence is available in English only.
U.S.
Mail
You will automatically receive correspondence by mail
unless you select electronic correspondence.
Phone You will be contacted by phone if there are specific
questions concerning your claim.
Online Please check our website and UI Online periodically for updates.
4. About Your UI Benefits
This section focuses on three aspects of determining and
maintaining your benefits:
• Calculating the amount of UI benefits you are eligible to receive
• Receiving your UI benefits
• Requesting weekly UI benefits
Calculating the amount of UI benefits you are eligible to receive
Each claimant is entitled to receive a different amount of benefits. The
amount of benefits you are eligible to receive each week is called your
weekly benefit amount. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated at 50%
of your average weekly wage during your base period. These concepts
will be explained further in this section. The weekly benefit amount
cannot exceed the maximum allowed by law, which is currently set at
$1015 per week.
Form P2594 Rev. 10-02-22
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Calculating the amount of benefits you will receive per week
You can determine your weekly benefit amount by using the steps below:
Step 1: List your total wages in the last 4 quarters in which
you worked. Example:
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4
$7,800 $7,800 $8,840 $10,000
Step 2: Add the top two highest quarters of wages. Example:
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4
$7,800 $7,800 $8,840 $10,000
Two Highest Paid Quarters
In this example, Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 were the highest quarters:
$8,840 + $10,000 = $18,840
Note: If you worked 2 or fewer quarters, use only the quarter that
has the highest wages.
Calculating the total amount of benefits you will receive under UI
You can determine your weekly benefit amount by using the steps
below:
Step 3: Divide the sum of the two highest quarters by 26:
the number of weeks in the combined quarters.
$18,840 = $724.61
26
In this example, $724.61 is your average weekly wage.
Note: If you worked 2 or fewer quarters, divide the highest quarter
by 13 weeks to determine your average weekly wage.
Step 4: Divide your weekly wage from Step 3 in half
to determine your weekly benefit amount.
$724.61 = $362.30, rounded down to the nearest dollar = $362
2
$362 is your weekly benefit amount.
If your average weekly wage was:Your maximum weekly benefit is:
$650 $325
$984 $492
$2,000 $1015
$3,000 $1015
Form P2594 Rev. 10-02-22-
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Calculating the total amount of benefits you will receive under UI
The total amount of benefits you can receive in your benefit year is called
your maximum benefit amount. Your maximum benefit amount is the
lesser of either 30 times your weekly benefit amount or 36% of the total
wages in your base period.
The following examples show how to determine your maximum benefit
amount.
Scenario A: If your weekly benefit amount is $362,
multiply this number by 30
$362 x 30 = $10,860
Scenario B: 36% of the total wages in your base period
$7,800 + $7,800 + $8,840 + 10,000 = $34,400 (total wages)
$34,440 x 0.36 = $12,398
Since $10,860 is less than $12,398, your maximum benefit amount
would be $10,860.
Calculating how long you are able to receive benefits
The number of weeks you are eligible to receive benefits is calculated by
dividing your maximum benefit amount by your weekly benefit amount.
The maximum number of weeks a claimant can receive full benefits is
30 (capped at 26 weeks during periods of extended benefits and low
unemployment). However, many individuals qualify for less than 30 weeks
of coverage.
Example: Your maximum benefit amount is $10,860
and your weekly benefit amount is $362.
$10,860 = 30 weeks
$362
In this example, you would be eligible to receive $362 for 30 weeks.
Example: Your maximum benefit amount is $8,688
and your weekly benefit amount is $362.
$8,688 = 24 weeks
$362
In this example, you would be eligible to receive $362 for 24 weeks.
Child support payment withholdings
The law requires that child support payments be deducted from UI when
DUA has received a withholding order from a Child Support Enforcement
Agency (CSE) charged with administering Part D of Title IV of the Social
Security Act.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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Federal and state income tax withholding
Your UI benefits are taxable. You can elect to have federal and/or state
income taxes withheld from your weekly benefit payment by completing
the tax withholding section of UI Online, or calling the TeleClaim Center.
You may be required to make quarterly estimated payments to federal
and state income tax. DUA will send you a 1099-G form by January 31
after the year you were paid UI benefits.
Receiving your UI benefits
If you are monetarily eligible for benefits and there are no other issues
affecting payment, you should receive the first UI benefit payment in
approximately three to four weeks after applying for benefits. Payments
will be paid to you by direct deposit or debit card. You will automatically
receive a debit card, unless you request direct deposit. You may request
your UI benefits be paid by either direct deposit or debit card at any time
by logging in to your UI Online account, or by calling TeleCert.
Note: You have 12 months from the date of distribution to access UI
benefits issued to you. If you fail to cash a paper check or activate a
debit card, the funds from the paper check and/or any unused funds
deposited on the inactive debit card will be credited back to the UI
trust fund.
How to set up, cancel, or change direct deposit information
You can set up, change, or cancel direct deposit by logging in to your UI
Online account. To set up or change direct deposit, you will be asked to
provide the 9-digit routing number of your financial institution and your
bank account number. Do not enter the check number. See the sample
check image above. If you want your UI benefits deposited into your
statement savings account, contact your bank or financial institution for
the routing and account number.
When you sign up for direct deposit, there is a nine business day
account verification period between the day you sign up for direct
deposit and the day that your UI benefits can be electronically sent to
your bank. This time period is used to confirm your account information
and the routing/transit number of your financial institution.
Understanding your Payment Options
Direct Deposit
If you want your unemployment benefit payments sent directly to your
bank account, you need to set up direct deposit. You can set up direct
deposit online or by phone.
To set up direct deposit, you will need:
• Your Social Security number
• The routing number of your bank
• The account number of your checking or savings account
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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Once you set up direct deposit, it will take 9 business days to verify
your bank account. While your bank account is being verified, you
must continue to request benefits weekly and certify your eligibility
using TeleCert or UI Online. Once your claim has been approved, your
benefits will be deposited into your account 2 business days after you
request your weekly benefits.
ReliaCard® DUA debit card
The DUA ReliaCard® is a safe and secure method of receiving your
Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. You will receive benefits via the
debit card unless you sign up for direct deposit to a checking or savings
account. For security, your debit card will be mailed to the address
you have on file in an unmarked envelope. After you receive your DUA
Debit ReliaCard®, you must activate it immediately.
Your debit card is valid for 3 years after activation. Keep it in a secure
location even after you stop claiming benefits. If you need to reopen or
file a new claim, your benefits will be deposited on the same card.
Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Services
Association. These prepaid debit cards are issued by U.S. Bank
National Association pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A.
Incorporated.
Please read the following
message regarding fees and
other important disclosures
carefully. The ReliaCard® has
no monthly fees, per purchase
fees, ATM in-network fees,
account balance inquiry fees,
or charges to call customer
service. ReliaCard® debit
cards are subject to a $2 fee per transaction for out-of-network ATM
transactions and a $15 overnight card replacement fee. There is a $2
fee for withdrawals at international ATMs. The Massachusetts DUA
Debit ReliaCard is issued by U.S. Bank. There is no fee to purchase or
activate this card.
With the DUA debit card, you can:
• Get quicker access to your benefits.
• Avoid overdraft fees.
• Pay for items everywhere that Visa® debit cards are accepted at no
charge, including:
◦ In stores
◦ Online
◦ By phone
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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• Get cash and check your balance at any U.S. Bank, AllPoint,
MoneyPass, or Visa ATM at no charge. Charges may apply if you use
an out-of-network ATM.
• Get cash back with your purchase at many grocery and convenience
stores at no charge.
Re-qualifying for benefits
If your claim for UI benefits was denied because of the circumstances
involved in your separation, you can re-qualify by meeting the following
requirements:
• Obtain new employment, work at least eight weeks, and have earned
gross wages equal to or greater than eight times your weekly benefit
amount.
• Apply for a new claim for UI benefits if your last claim has ended. If
your benefit year has not ended, you must reopen your current claim.
The waiting week
Massachusetts Law requires that you serve a one-week unpaid waiting
period after applying for UI benefits. The waiting week is the first week
you request UI benefits and meet all of the eligibility requirements. Even
if you are unemployed for only one week, it is to your advantage to
request benefits for that week to satisfy your waiting week requirement
for your benefit year. You serve only one waiting-period week during
your benefit year, even if your claim is inactive and you reopen it several
times during your benefit year.
Requesting weekly UI benefits
After applying for benefits, you must request benefits for each week you
wish to collect. If you do not request benefits on a timely basis, you may
not receive a benefit payments for that week.
You have two convenient options for requesting your weekly benefits:
• Visit www.mass.gov/dua and log in to your UI Online account. You
can do this any day of the week between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• Call DUA TeleCert at (617) 626-6338. You can do this any day of the
week between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Sunday is the first day of the week that you can request benefits for the
prior week. You must request benefits within 21 days from the week that
you are requesting, or you may not be paid benefits for that time. If you
do not request benefits for three weeks in a row, you must reopen your
claim by logging in to your UI Online account or calling the TeleClaim
Center. UI Online accepts requests for benefits for the most recent two
weeks. If you want to request benefit payments other than the most
recent two weeks, you must contact the TeleClaim Center.
When requesting benefits, you must report gross wages (total wages
before taxes are taken out) for work performed and any income payable
Form P2594 Rev. 5-02-22
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to you for that week.
• You must report all of your wages for the week (Sunday through
Saturday) in which the wages are earned, even if you have not been
paid yet.
• If you are reporting self-employment wages, report net wages (total
wages after business expenses are taken out).
• You must report all income, except Social Security benefits, that
was not previously reported when your claim was filed. Types of
income that must be reported and may be deductible from your
UI benefits include severance pay, vacation pay, pensions, and
company buy-out payments.
Note: DUA uses a variety of methods to detect unreported wages and
income. The law provides penalties for failure to truthfully report income
and employment.
If you are using UI Online, you will receive a confirmation screen when
your benefit request is complete. If you are using the TeleCert system,
you will hear a confirmation message when your benefit request is
complete. Be sure to wait for the confirmation message before exiting
either system. If you have not submitted your application properly, it will
be erased from the system after several days.
You are not eligible for benefits for any period of time you are outside
of the United States, its territories, or Canada; you should not request
benefits for that time. Filing for and receiving benefits while out of the
country will result in an overpayment and you will be responsible for
returning benefits previously paid to you.
Maintaining UI benefits
1. Report wages you earn while working part-time and receiving UI
benefits
If you work part-time hours during weeks in which you request UI
benefits, you may still be paid UI benefits. Any wages above 1/3 of the
weekly benefit amount (also known as your earnings disregard) are
deducted dollar-for-dollar from the weekly benefit amount, which could
result in a partial UI payment.
If you work full-time hours in any given week, you will be considered
employed “full-time” regardless of wages, and you will not be eligible
for UI benefits for that week. Full-time is generally between 35 and
40 hours per week. You are considered employed full-time if you are
working the customary full-time schedule in your job or occupation.
The next example describes how to calculate your weekly benefit
payment taking into account any wages deductions.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
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Step 1: Calculate Wages Deduction
Example: If the weekly benefit amount is $270 and your weekly
wages are $120
Weekly benefit amount $270
Earnings Disregard $90 (1/3 of $270 = $90)
Weekly wages $120
Wages over the maximum allowed $30 ($120 – $90 = $30)
Step 2: Calculate Weekly Benefit Payment
Weekly benefit amount $270
Minus wages over the maximum – $30
Revised weekly benefit amount = $240
Important Note: If wages/holiday pay is equal to or greater than your
weekly benefit amount, plus the 1/3 earnings disregard, no benefits will
be paid. You are required to report all wages, even if they do not affect
your weekly benefit amount. If you receive earnings above your weekly
benefit amount, you must reopen your claim using UI Online, by calling
TeleCert, or the TeleClaim Center.
2. Attend a MassHire Career Center seminar
You may be required to attend a seminar at a MassHire Career Center
to help you find a job. The primary goal of the seminar is to connect
you with the many job search resources available at MassHire Career
Centers. If you receive a notice, you must schedule and go to the seminar
by the deadline stated in the letter. If you do not go to a scheduled
seminar, it may cause a delay in payment or loss of your benefits. Call
the automated MassHire Career Center seminar scheduling system
at 1-(800) 653-5586, or the MassHire Career Center nearest you to
schedule your attendance, after you receive a notice to attend.
3. Engage in work search activities
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
requires that as a condition of eligibility you must:
• Make at least 3 work searches per week.
• Keep a detailed written log of your work search activities.
• Keep copies of documents related to your work search activities,
including:
◦ Emails to or from potential employers
◦ Job application receipts
◦ Job postings
◦ Job fair announcements
Form P2594 Rev. 01-08-18
– 21 –
◦ Networking club information
• Bring printed completed copies of all Work Search Activity Logs
and supporting documentation to your MassHire Career Center
appointments.
• Provide your work search information to DUA upon request, along
with any supporting documentation.
A sample log is provided at the end of this guide to help you track your
work search activities. If you need additional logs, you can download
a copy at www.mass.gov/dua.You can also obtain a copy at your local
MassHire Career Center, or you can make additional copies of this
work search log as needed.
You may be required to register with a MassHire Career Center. To
find a MassHire Career Center near you, call 1-877-US-2-JOBS, or
visit www.mass.gov/careercenters.
If you customarily obtain work through a union hall, you are required
to remain active with your labor organization. To remain active, you
must be a member in good standing, and be eligible for placement or
referral. Massachusetts Law requires you to keep a written record of
contacts with your union for the purpose of obtaining work.
If your work search is waived because you have a definite return to
work date within 28 days, you are required to make yourself available
to your former employer for work and to keep him/her informed on
how to contact you for work.
If you are on a temporary layoff from a former employer with no
definite return to work date within 28 days, you must keep your
contact information current with the former employer and seek work
with other employers. Contact with your former employer does not
constitute a work search contact; you must still seek employment with
other employers who are hiring in your trade or occupation.
If you live out-of-state and do not normally commute to work in
Massachusetts, you are required to register for work with your state’s
employment services.
4. Be able to work
You must be able to perform work. For example, if you are sick or
have a medical condition that prevents you from working, you may not
be eligible for UI benefits for that week.
5. Be available for work
You must be ready and willing to work. You must be able to accept
work if it is offered to you. You do not have to accept any job, but you
must not limit yourself to such a small portion of the job market that it
is unreasonable to expect to get work.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 22 –
6. Notify DUA if you enroll in school
Attending school may affect your eligibility to receive UI benefits. You
must notify DUA if you are attending school, registering for school, or
no longer attending full-time training that was approved by DUA.
7. Collecting benefits while outside the country
You are not eligible for benefits for any period of time you are outside
of the United States, its territories or Canada; you should not request
benefits for that time.
8. Review or edit your account information
You must notify DUA as soon as possible if your personal or contact
information changes. You can update your information by logging in
to your UI Online account, or by calling the TeleClaim Center.
5. Appeals
Appealing an initial determination
If DUA determines that you are not eligible to receive UI benefits, you
will receive a written Notice of Disqualification along with information
about how to file an appeal.
You must file your appeal within 10 calendar days of the mailing
date on the notice. There are two ways to file an appeal. You can
either log in to your UI Online account and file an appeal, or you
can complete a written request for appeal and mail it to DUA with a
postmark no later than the 10th day of your mailing date.
Please be advised that if your claim is approved, your former
employer has the right to appeal the decision to approve your claim.
If your former employer files an appeal, DUA will schedule a hearing
and will notify you and your employer to attend. DUA will notify you by
your previously selected correspondence preference with information
on the date, time, and location of the hearing.
It is important that you attend any hearing scheduled as a new
decision on your eligibility will be made at that hearing. If you do not
attend the hearing, a decision will be made solely on the evidence
presented by your former employer. If it is decided at the hearing that
you are not entitled to unemployment benefits, your benefit checks
will stop immediately and you may be responsible for returning
benefits previously paid to you.
If you are still unemployed while waiting for a hearing, you must
continue to request benefit payments each week. If your initial
determination is reversed, you will not receive benefit payments for
the weeks when you did not request benefits.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 23 –
Hearings
If you or your former employer appeal an initial determination, you
will receive written confirmation of the appeal from the Hearings
Department. When the Hearings Department receives the appeal, it
will be scheduled for a hearing and you will be sent a notice of the date
and time. Hearings are conducted by Review Examiners who hold
hearings in-person, virtually, and by telephone. After the hearing, the
Review Examiner will issue a written decision based on documents and
information presented at the hearing.
Board of Review
There are several levels of appeals. If you disagree with the hearing
decision, you have 30 calendar days after the mailing of that decision to
appeal to the Board of Review. You may appeal to the Board of Review
using the written appeal request form that you will receive or by logging
in to your UI Online account.
If the Board of Review accepts the case for review, it will make
a decision using the case material received from the Hearings
Department, including the recorded hearing. When the Board of Review
issues a decision, instructions are provided on how to appeal the
decision to the district court.
If the Board of Review declines to accept the case for review, it can
be appealed to the District Court. To learn more about the Board of
Review, visit www.mass.gov/dua/bor.
Your right to representation
If you wish to be represented at any level of appeal, it is important that
you arrange representation as soon as possible. An authorized agent
of your choice, such as an attorney, or advocate, may represent you.
Contact your local bar association or a legal advocacy organization
for assistance. DUA cannot recommend a representative. Fees for
services rendered by an attorney or agent in connection with an
appeal to the Hearings Department or to the Board of Review must be
approved by DUA before they become payable by the claimant.
Requests for approval of fees pertaining to services at either of the
following appeal levels should be directed to the following:
Hearings Levels Board of Review
email:
section37fee@massmail.state.ma.us
Department of
Unemployment Assistance
Board of Review,
100 Cambridge Street,
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Form P2594 Rev. 12-07-22
– 24 –
6. Overpayments
What happens if you receive an overpayment of benefits?
An overpayment occurs if you are paid UI benefits and DUA
later determines that you were not eligible to receive them. Even if the
overpayment is not your fault, you will be required to repay the gross
amount of benefits that you received, unless you apply for and receive
a waiver of the overpayment.
If you are overpaid benefits, you will receive a Notice of Determination.
The notice will explain the following:
• Reasoning and findings for the overpayment
• The number of weeks you were overpaid
• Amount of the overpayment
• Any possible penalties
• How to request a waiver
Interest and penalties
If you are determined “at fault” for an overpayment, you will receive
a Notice of Fault Finding. You will have to pay interest at the rate of
12% per year in addition to the overpayment. Overpayments that were
determined to be at fault may be assessed a one-time 15% penalty.
In addition, if you were working while collecting UI benefits, you may
be required to serve penalty weeks for each week you were working
and collecting benefits. You will have to wait to collect benefits for the
same number of weeks you were working and collecting benefits the
next time you file a claim or request weekly benefits, even though you
are eligible for benefits.
Regardless of the penalty, you must continue to request weekly
benefits for each week that you are unemployed, in order to
successfully serve the penalty weeks. You will not receive any future
benefits until this penalty is served.
Appealing an overpayment
If you believe that you were not overpaid, or that the amount of the
overpayment is incorrect, you can file an appeal within 10 days of
the Notice of Determination being issued. To file an appeal, you must
follow the instructions included with the determination notice.
Repayment
If you fail to repay your overpayment, DUA may intercept your
Massachusetts state and federal income tax refund. Your weekly UI
benefits paid by Massachusetts or any other state may be reduced to
repay your overpayment.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 25 –
Options to Repay an Overpayment
Pay Online Pay by Mail
Credit card payments, and
electronic payments from your
checking or savings account,
can be made using your UI
Online account.
Log in to your UI Online account,
click Manage debt, click Make
a payment, and proceed with
making an electronic payment.
Payments by mail can be made
by check or money order only.
Do not send cash.
Mail your check or money order
to:
Department of Unemployment
Assistance
P.O. Box 9699
Boston, MA 02114
Important note: If paying by check, money order, or through your
bank’s Bill Pay, you must include your Claimant ID to ensure the
payment is processed to your account.
Requesting a Waiver
If you cannot repay the overpayment, or you relied on the benefits
to your detriment, you may request a repayment plan or complete a
Request for Waiver of Overpayment by logging in to your UI Online
account and filling out the application for a waiver or by calling the
Benefits Collection Department at (617) 626-6300.
Fraud detection and reporting
The Law provides penalties for failure to truthfully report income
and employment when applying for benefits or requesting benefit
payments. DUA uses many resources to prevent and detect fraudulent
receipt of benefits, including:
• New hire reports from employers
• Matches with employer’s wages
• Public tips by telephone, mail, online form, or email
• Crossmatches with records from other state and federal agencies,
including the Social Security Administration, the Department of
Corrections, and other agencies
You can use one of the following methods to report individuals who are
suspected to be fraudulently receiving UI benefits, or employers who
are suspected of paying employees without reporting it:
• Complete a DUA Fraud Hotline Complaint Form online at
www.mass.gov/dua/fraud
• Call the Fraud Hotline: 1-(800) 354-9927
• Email: uifraud@massmail.state.ma.us
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 26 –
7. Other UI Programs
Training Opportunities Program
If you need to acquire new skills in order to become re-employed, you
may be eligible for Training Opportunities Program (TOP) benefits, while
attending full-time, approved training. TOP allows DUA to waive your
active work search if you meet certain eligibility requirements. If eligible,
you will continue to receive your UI benefits while in training approved
by DUA. Additionally, TOP will allow you to receive up to 26 weeks
of additional benefits (Retraining Extended Duration Benefits) while
attending school full time, if certain criteria are met. Please note that DUA
does not fund your training costs.
IMPORTANT: You must apply during the first 20 weeks you are paid
unemployment benefits. If you stop signing for benefits, the 20-week
period stops, and resumes when you start signing in again.
If you are applying for an extension of your benefits and requesting to
waive the work search requirement you must:
• Find approved training that will prepare you for the job market.
Seek assistance at any MassHire Career Center, or search
MassHire JobQuest for training programs at www.mass.gov/
jobquest.
• Complete and submit the Training Opportunities Program
Application.
For more information about the program, or how to apply, visit:
www.mass.gov/dua/training, call the TeleClaim Center, or visit a
MassHire Career Center. Please be aware that a section of the
application must be completed by your school before being
submitted to DUA.
MassHire Career Centers
The MassHire Career Center System is a network of Career Centers,
conveniently located across the state. MassHire Career Centers offer
employment services that allow you to work on your job search in an
environment that is comfortable for you. Career Center staff members
are committed to helping you become re-employed.
MassHire Career Centers provide a variety of services,
free of charge to any customer, including:
• Job search assistance
• Career planning information
• Tools to help you conduct an effective job search
• Workshops on job search techniques including interviewing,
networking, and resume writing
• Basic computer training
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 27 –
• Opportunities to connect with hiring employers through job fairs,
job listings, and referrals
• Data on the current statewide and local job market
• Resources to help you find the right training opportunities
• Access to resource room services such as: job listings, business
directories, internet access, telephones, fax machines, and copiers
are available for customer use
Hours of operations vary by location. To find a MassHire Career
Center near you, call 1-(877) US-2-JOBS or visit www.mass.gov/
careercenters. Go to www.mass.gov/jobquest to register as a
MassHire customer.
Benefit Accuracy Measurement Audit
Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) is an audit program that
assesses the accuracy of DUA’s decisions to issue benefit payments
and of decisions to deny benefits to claimants.
All unemployment claims filed are eligible to be randomly selected
for audit by BAM. If your claim is selected you can expect to receive
correspondence and/or telephone calls from a BAM Investigator.
It is important that you participate in the BAM audit as a new decision
on your eligibility may be made based on evidence from the audit.
If you do not participate any decision of eligibility will be made solely
on the evidence presented by your former employer and DUA records.
If it is decided after the audit that you are not entitled to unemployment
benefits, your benefit checks will stop immediately and you may be
responsible for returning benefits previously paid to you.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. I received severance pay. Can I receive UI benefits
at the same time?
In most cases, you cannot receive severance pay and UI benefits
for the same weeks. But if your severance pay was based upon your
releasing the employer of all future claims, you may be able to receive
UI benefits for the same weeks that you receive severance pay.
If you are disqualified from receiving UI benefits because of severance
pay, your benefit year will be extended for the number of weeks that
you were disqualified due to the receipt of severance pay.
Do not delay filing a claim for benefits because you received
severance pay.
2. Do Social Security, pension, or retirement benefits affect my UI
eligibility and benefits?
Social Security retirement benefits will not impact your eligibility for
weekly benefits. However, your benefits may be affected by any
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 28 –
pension benefits you are receiving. You must notify DUA if you are
currently receiving a pension or if you later begin receiving a pension.
3. My work hours have been reduced. Am I eligible to claim UI
benefits?
If your schedule of working hours is reduced by your employer, you
may be eligible for benefits. You can receive a full benefit for weeks
when there is no work available or a partial benefit for weeks when
there is less than a full-time schedule available. Generally, you must
experience a reduction of at least 1/3 of your hours/wages in order
to receive even a minimal benefit. Your actual eligibility cannot be
determined until you apply for benefits.
4. How does part-time work affect my UI benefits?
When signing for benefits for a specific week, you must report your
total gross wages before taxes for the week in which they were earned.
If you do not know the amount of earnings; multiply the numbers
of hours worked by your hourly wage. If after being paid you see a
discrepancy, you may contact DUA to fix the discrepancy. Wages
above 1/3 of your weekly benefit amount will result in a dollar-for-dollar
reduction in your benefit for that week.
5. Is it possible to be disqualified for failing to respond to
Fact-Finding questions?
Yes, you may be disqualified if you do not respond at all to Fact-
Finding questions by the deadline given by DUA staff or as stated on
the Fact-Finding questionnaire. DUA will make a decision after the
deadline by using all of the information available.
6. If I take a full-time contract position after filing for UI benefits
will I be able to receive UI benefits after the contract ends?
If your contract position ends before your benefit year expires (one
year after you originally applied for benefits), you can reopen your
claim. You have until the end of the benefit year of your claim to
potentially receive any remaining benefits. If your benefit year has
ended while you were working, you must apply for benefits again, and
a new determination on your eligibility will be made based on your
more recent employment.
7. If I leave my current company for another job, and get laid off
shortly after joining the new company, will I be able to receive
UI benefits?
If you are laid off from your new company and apply for benefits,
you will be asked to provide a list of your employers during the last
15 calendar months and dates of employment. After separation from
employment, a review of eligibility will made to determine eligibility.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 29 –
8. I am in the process of starting a new business as a sole
proprietor but do not anticipate having any income from this
business for a few months. I am currently receiving UI benefits.
Would that affect my UI eligibility and benefits?
Eligibility for UI benefits is based on several factors. Among these is the
requirement that you are able to work, available for work, and conduct
an active search for work. If you are no longer available for other work
or to conduct a search for work because of the demands of your own
business, you may not be eligible for further benefits.
9. I worked in another state. Where do I file for UI benefits?
If you worked solely in another state, you will need to file your claim
with that state. If you worked in another state(s) and Massachusetts,
you may file in either state(s).
10. I was laid off twice in a year. Can I apply for benefits twice?
If the claim that is filed is monetarily eligible, it remains valid for
one year. Your claim can be reopened and closed during that year,
depending on your employment and availability status. Your claim is
available until you exhaust all your benefits or until your benefit year
has expired, whichever comes first.
11. I am not a US citizen. Am I eligible for UI benefits?
You must provide information that you are legally authorized to work in
the United States to potentially receive UI benefits.
12. I need to travel for a week during my UI claim period. What
should I do?
If you are not available and not actively seeking work, do not request
benefit payments for that week. When you return, you can request
benefit payments for the next week of benefits.
13. I am traveling outside of the United States, should I request
benefits for the weeks that I am out of the country?
You are not eligible for benefits for any period of time you are outside
of the United States, its territories, or Canada; you should not request
benefits for that time.
14. I received payment, but I still have a pending eligibility issue
on my claim. Why was I paid?
Sometimes a payment is issued before a decision of eligibility is made
if we are unable to resolve your issue in a timely manner. There is
always a possibility with the Unemployment Insurance Program that
you may be required to repay any benefits you’ve received if it is later
determined that you are not eligible.
15. Why was I paid for some weeks but not others?
Sometimes there is more than one eligibility issue under review, or
one issue can affect more than one week, but payment is not always
released at the same time.Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 30 –
16. Do I have to pay taxes on my UI benefits?
Yes. You are responsible for paying federal and state income taxes on
your UI benefits. DUA does not automatically withhold taxes. When you
apply for benefits, you may request federal and/or state income taxes
to be withheld from your weekly benefit payment. Federal income taxes
are withheld at a rate of 10%, and state income taxes are withheld at a
rate of 5.0%. DUA will send you a 1099-G form by January 31 after the
year you were paid benefits, listing total benefits paid and total taxes
withheld.
17. Do I need to continue child support payments while receiving
UI benefits?
If DUA is advised by the Department of Revenue that child support
payments have been ordered by the court, a child support deduction
will be made from your UI benefits.
18. My child’s other parent and I were both laid off at the same
time. Who should claim the child dependency allowance?
You cannot both claim the dependency allowance. The parent who
provided the main support of the child may claim the dependency
allowance. You will need your child’s Social Security Number and
date of birth at the time you apply for benefits in order to claim the
dependency allowance.
19. What if my employer disputes my claim?
An initial determination of your eligibility will be made based upon
information provided by you and your employer. If you are eligible,
you will be paid benefits, unless you are later found ineligible during
the appeals process, at which time you may be required to repay the
benefits you received.
20. What happens when my UI benefits run out?
UI is a temporary benefit program. It is important that you begin
looking for work immediately, and maintain an active job search, while
receiving UI benefits. MassHire Career Centers are here to help you.
You should take advantage of the many services provided by MassHire
Career Centers to assist you in finding new work. Although you may
no longer be eligible for UI benefits, you may be eligible for assistance
from other Massachusetts state agencies. Call 211 or go to www.
mass211help.org for more information.
21. Can DUA help me find a job?
Help is available at MassHire Career Centers located throughout
Massachusetts. You can learn new job search skills, find out about
available training programs, and search for current job opportunities
through a variety of resources. Sign up for a MassHire Career Center
Seminar to learn about the wide variety of services available to help
you with your job search or visit www.mass.gov/careercenters.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 31 –
22. Are there specialized services for Veterans?
Veterans’ specialists are located at MassHire Career Centers. They are
available to help Veterans organize their job search, design a personal
employment plan, polish their job search skills, and develop job leads.
Veterans’ services are customized to meet the needs of Veterans.
23. How do I change my PIN or password?
To change your PIN for access to TeleCert, call (617) 626-6943.
To change your password for UI Online, simply select the Forgot
Password option, answer the security questions, and select a new
password.
24. I just got a full-time job. How do I close my UI claim?
If you wish to close your claim, stop requesting benefit payments.
By not requesting benefits, your claim will automatically close.
9. Glossary of UI Terms
Alternate Base Period
Wages paid during the three most recently completed calendar
quarters, plus the time between the last completed quarter and
the effective date of the claim. If you are not monetarily eligible for
benefits using the primary base period, and would be eligible using the
alternate, DUA will automatically use this method to determine your
benefits. Also, you may elect to use the alternate base period if you
provide credible documentation showing that your maximum benefit
amount would be increased by at least 10% by using it.
Appeal
A request for a hearing or review on a determination.
Average Weekly Wage
A formula established by law based on the total amount of wages paid
during the base period.
Maximum Benefit Amount
The total amount of benefits that you are potentially eligible to receive
during a benefit year if you meet all the other eligibility requirements of
the law.
Base Period
The 52-week period before the beginning of a benefit year.
Benefit Year
52 weeks following the effective date of a claim.
Duration of Benefits
The maximum number of weeks that you can receive UI benefits. This
is determined by dividing your maximum benefit amount by your weekly
benefit amount. Currently, the maximum number of weeks a claimant
can receive full UI benefits is 30 weeks.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 32 –
Earnings
Money earned during the benefit year.
Effective Date
It is the date your claim begins. This is the Sunday of the calendar
week in which you applied for benefits.
Issue
Question regarding your potential eligibility for benefits.
Maximum Benefit Amount
The maximum amount of benefits that you can receive during a
benefit year.
Monetary Eligibility
Your eligibility for benefits based on wages and/or length of time you
were employed during the base period.
Overpayment
Benefit payment in excess of your legal entitlement.
Partial Benefits
Benefit payments of less than your full weekly benefit amount,
because of reductions for your part-time earnings.
Partial Unemployment
Work of less than your regular full-time hours, or employment that
provides earnings less than the amount normal paid for a week of
full-time work.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
An electronic signature that allows you to access information about
your claim.
Primary Base Period
The last four completed calendar quarters immediately before the
effective date of your claim. Claims are based on wages received
during this period.
Reason for Separation
The reason you became unemployed.
Social Security Number (SSN)
The unique identifier to process a claim for benefits. DUA is required
by the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code of 1954, as
amended in 26 USC 85; 6011(a), 6050(b), 6109(a) to request Social
Security Numbers in processing benefit claims.
TeleCert
The interactive telephone method for requesting weekly benefits.
TeleCert is available in English and Spanish.
Total Unemployment
A week in which you perform no work and earn no wages or work less
than full-time and earn no more than the allowable earnings under
state UI law.
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 33 –
Training Opportunities Program
Program that allows you to submit a plan for vocational training or study
that will increase your chances of becoming re-employed.
Wages
All payments received from an employer, including salary, bonuses,
room and board.
Waiting Period
The first week of unemployment for which you do not receive
compensation but meet the eligibility requirements necessary to receive
UI during the benefit year.
Weekly Benefit Amount
The amount of monetary benefits, excluding any allowance for
dependents, that you are eligible to receive each week. It equals 50%
of your average weekly wage up to the current maximum.
10. Quick Reference Guide
If you need to:You should:
File a claim
Login to UI Online at www.mass.gov/dua;
or call 1-(877) 626-6800
* Also available via TeleCert: (617) 626-6338
(if you’ve had no new employment)
Request/change Income Tax Withholding from your UI payment
Reopen your claim*
Change your address
Add Dependent child
Request a 1099G form
Change payment method*
Request weekly benefits
Login to UI Online at www.mass.gov/dua
or call TeleCert at (617) 626-6338
(in English, Spanish, Portuguese,
and Cantonese) 7 days a week,
from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Verify your UI payment
status
Login to UI Online at www.mass.gov/dua
or call the Payment Status line at
(617) 626-6563
Change your PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Call the PIN Service Line at (617) 626-6943, 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Get information about health insurance assistance or for the Massachusetts Health Connector Program
Visit www.mahealthconnector.org
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 34 –
For questions involving child support deductions Call 1-(877) 626-6800
Report fraud
Complete a DUA Fraud Hotline Complaint
Form online at www.mass.gov/dua/fraud or
call the Fraud Hotline at 1-(800) 354-9927
Apply for approved training Visit www.mass.gov/dua/training or
go to a MassHire Career Center
Get information regarding an appeal to the Hearings Department
Contact Hearings Offices at:
- Boston: (617) 626-5200- Lawrence: (978) 738-4400- Brockton: (508) 894-4777- Springfield: (413) 452-4700
Get information regarding a Board of Review appeal
Visit www.mass.gov/dua/bor
or call (617) 626-6400
Find a MassHire Career
Center near you
Online at www.mass.gov/careercenters
or call 1-(877) US2-JOBS
Get hearing-impaired relay assistance Call 1-(800) 439-0183 or 711
Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 35 –
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Form P2594 Rev. 05-02-22
– 36 –Form P2594 Rev. 01-08-18