Get Help and Begin Your Journey to Reemployment
Iowa Workforce Development has tools and resources that can help you bridge the gap between a lost job and a fulfilling new career.
Unemployment Insurance Basics
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Apply for Unemployment Here
If you're filing for unemployment benefits for the first time, learn how to begin the process in just a few steps.
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File Your Weekly Claim
File your weekly claim if you've already completed your initial claim and wish to continue receiving benefits.
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The Reemployment Process and Required Steps
While you’re receiving benefits, you must also register for work and complete reemployment activities on a weekly basis.
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Important Links and Resources
Beyond filing a claim, get access to the claimant handbook, information about appeals, and other common UI resources.
Improving Identity Verification
Using ID.me for Identity Verification
All unemployment claimants are now required to use ID.me for verifying their identity. Learn about the faster and more secure verification process when filing a claim.
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Getting Started
How Do I File for Unemployment?
If you're filing for benefits for the first time, be sure to check out our starting guide.
Get Help
Unemployment Insurance Customer Support
Customer Support is available from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday to get you the help you need on your claim.
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UI Appeals
Learn how to file an appeal on any fact-finding unemployment insurance (UI) decision.
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Overpayments
Information on overpayments and options for claimants who have received a decision letter.
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Reemployment Services
Learn about the many different ways that IWD serves Iowans by supporting their reemployment path.
Unemployment Insurance
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for benefits, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own and have met other requirements.
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Your Path to Reemployment
The Steps To Help You Find Your Next Career
You must register for work on IowaWORKS.gov in order to receive unemployment benefits. Learn how it works and how it helps you find your next career.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Statistics: At a Glance
15,581
Initial claims (January 2025)
35,588
Benefit recipients (January 2025)
9.1
UI Duration by Weeks January 2025