Unemployment Compensation Process

Welcome to the DC Department of Employment Services Unemployment Compensation Program. The District offers two ways to file for unemployment compensation –  via the Internet and the phone. We strongly encourage that customers seeking unemployment benefits do so online for quicker service. To begin the process of filing for your unemployment benefits, you will need to have the following information readily available:

• Your social security number
• Your most recent 30-day employer’s name(s), address(es), phone number(s) and dates of employment
• Your Alien Registration Number, if you are not a US Citizen
• Your DD214, if you are ex-military
• Your Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50, if you are a former federal employee
• Severance pay information (only applicable if you did or will receive severance pay)

Please note that confidential unemployment compensation information may be requested and utilized for other governmental purposes, including, but not limited to, verification of eligibility under other government programs. This notice is required by 20 C.F.R. § 603.11 – How do States notify claimants and employers about the uses of their information?

Federal Sequestration Information – Impacts on DC Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

Federal sequestration is a set of automatic, across the board budget cuts signed into order on March 1, 2013 that went into effect on midnight, March 2, 2013. The spending cuts were mandated by previous legislation passed by Congress in an effort to control spending and reduce the federal deficit. The automatic spending cuts will affect employees paid through federal programs in several ways. The following is the most current information available concerning the effects of sequestration on unemployment insurance benefits.

For those receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits, there will be no impact on or reduction in your benefits due to sequestration.

Claimants receiving benefits in the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program will see a 10.7% reduction in their weekly EUC benefit amount and in their overall unemployment account balance, scheduled to take effect benefit week beginning Sunday, March 31, 2013 through benefit week ending Saturday, September, 28, 2013.  

DOES will communicate directly with all EUC recipients, and notices of changes in the EUC program and any changes to your benefits will be mailed to your address of record that is on file with DOES. Please make sure your contact information (telephone number, email address, and mailing address) is updated with the Office of Unemployment Compensation to ensure you receive mailers, emails, automated phone calls, and timely communications.

Furloughed federal employees should check with their employers to confirm whether their agencies will participate in the District of Columbia’s Short Time Compensation Program and if the furloughed employees meet the eligibility requirements to participate. Information on the Short Time Compensation Program, including eligibility requirements and benefits, can be found on the Department of Labor’s website at www.dol.gov/sequestration/ShortTimeCompensation.htm. In addition, a special website has been created by DOES at http://seq.does.dc.gov, specifically for federal agencies who submit Short Time Compensation plans to DOES and their employees who will experience furloughs in the coming weeks and months. 

Please visit this website regularly, as we will provide continuous updates about the sequestration as information becomes available.

Important Announcement Regarding Work Search Requirements for Unemployment Compensation Benifits

Beginning March 23, 2012, the Department of Employment Services will be enhancing and enforcing strict work search compliance measures as mandated by a recent change in federal law.

Failure to conduct a thorough work search (through seeking and applying for employment) or refusing to accept suitable work will affect your eligibility and may result in a denial of benefits.

DOES verifies work search activities and may ask for evidence of your work search efforts at any time. Protect your eligibility for benefits by keeping a detailed record of your work search. Provide as much information regarding your contacts and applications as possible.

For detailed information regarding work search requirements and how to comply, read the Work Search FAQs [PDF].