On this page...
A new unemployment system is coming soon! Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is modernizing its system to make applying for unemployment benefits easier, faster, and more secure.
For the first time, Iowans will complete the unemployment process from one central location, iowaworks.gov. This system change will take place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
This update also impacts employers. While businesses will still manage their UI tax accounts in MyIowaUI, iowaworks.gov will become the central system for handling the claims themselves. IWD is providing several resources to help employers prepare for the new system. You can find the details below.
Back to topPreparing for the New System
List items for Preparing for the New System (Employers)
Iowans currently use multiple websites (and separate accounts) to complete the steps required by their unemployment claims. Going forward, all claim-filing steps now will take place on iowaworks.gov, simplifying this process. Employers will also have more tools to manage the unemployment insurance claims for their business.
- Currently, iowaworks.gov serves as a valuable workforce tool for employers to post jobs and recruit workers. The June 3 update will add unemployment functionality to the website, so that activities and decisions involving unemployment claims (and appeals) related your business now will take place on this site.
- Employers will still use the MyIowaUI system (as they do today) to handle all related unemployment tax functions, such as paying UI taxes, business registration, management of UI tax account.
Both IowaWORKS (for claims functions) and MyIowaUI (for tax functions) are important tools that will help employers navigate unemployment.
| IowaWORKS | MyIowaUI |
|---|---|
| Used For: Unemployment Claims Functions | Used for: Unemployment Tax Functions |
| Examples: Notice of Claim filed against Employer, Appeals, Refusal to Work Notices, Quarterly Charge Statements | Examples: Paying UI taxes, Business Registration, Management of UI Tax Account |
Moving from two systems into a single, central location.
- You will now be able to complete every step in the unemployment process and access all information about your claim from a single location, using one account.
Replacing outdated technology with a more efficient system.
- Overall, the unemployment process has been simplified and moved to improved technology. As part of this, several behind-the-scenes steps that previously were done manually now will take place automatically, making processing more efficient.
Improving both the user experience and overall security.
- Having the unemployment system in IowaWORKS means your personal information is stored in a single, secure place. A new central hub helps you manage everything about your claim from this single starting point.
Important Dates
List items for Schedule for Unemployment System Change
The new unemployment system in IowaWORKS is replacing a decades-old system. In order to make this historic update, a one-time system pause will take place during the week before launch (May 28-June 2). Iowans will not be able to file for unemployment during this time, but they will still be able to receive career-related services from IowaWORKS centers across the state.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 27 | The last day that unemployment claims can be filed in IWD’s existing system. |
| Wednesday, May 28–Monday, June 2 | Scheduled downtime begins. No new or weekly claims will be accepted in the current system as IWD prepares to switch systems. |
| Tuesday, June 3 | New unemployment system goes live on iowaworks.gov, allowing Iowans to once again file their claims – now in a much more efficient and improved system. Anyone with claims they were unable to file during the downtime (for the week beginning May 25 and/or the week beginning June 1) will be able to file them and claim benefits as soon as the new system is running. |
IowaWORKS centers will remain open and available to serve customers.
- Services that will remain available include:
- Resume and interview coaching
- One-on-one assistance from career planners
- Virtual workshops
- Job search help – additional resources will be utilized during this period, which include the National Labor Exchange (https://usnlx.com/) as well as several microsites that include targeted job openings in Iowa for adults, Veterans, youth and those with disabilities.
- IowaWORKS operations, staffing levels, and hours will remain the same during this period (Open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday)
- Iowans filing an initial or weekly claim are highly encouraged to file on Sunday, May 25 (first day of the filing week), or any day before Wednesday, May 28, when the claims system will become temporarily unavailable.
- If Iowans are unable to file a claim while the system is down, they will still be able to file a claim on Tuesday, June 3, as soon as the new system goes live. (At this time, they will be able to claim benefits for the current week and/or the prior week, if necessary.)
- IowaWORKS office locations and related information can be found at: IowaWORKS Offices
- Unemployment insurance Customer Service is available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday Through Friday, to help answer any unemployment questions.
- Phone: 1-866-239-0843
- Email: uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov
Resources and Videos
List items for Resources and Videos (Employers)
IWD has created several videos, resources, and instructions to help you prepare for this change. If you have any questions, contact us.
IWD will be hosting a town hall for employers on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM, to give an overview of the new system and answer questions. Below you can register for the townhall and also submit questions to the agency.
- Register for the Townhall - For Employers Only (Zoom)
- Submit Your Questions for the Townhall (Microsoft Form)
- After the update at iowaworks.gov in June, employers will be able to handle workforce actions involving both unemployment claims and their job posting/recruiting needs from one central system. To help with the system change, information from current employer accounts with IWD is being brought into iowaworks.gov.
- By May 27 (the start of the systems change), please make sure your MyIowaUI account is up to date and has a valid email address.
- The steps you will need to follow when using the new system on iowaworks.gov for the first time will depend on two factors -- whether you have used the IowaWORKS website in the past and what your current employer account information is on the MyIowaUI system.
- To prepare, visit: What to Expect on Day One: Accessing the New Unemployment System in IowaWORKS