Minnesota Unemployment Benefit Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Minnesota, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • You must have lost your job through no fault of your own, or quit for a good cause such as unsafe working conditions, not receiving payment for your work, or to care for a terminally ill spouse or minor child.
  • You must be able and available to work, and actively seeking suitable employment.
  • You must have sufficient earnings in your base period, which is a 12-month period that determines your weekly benefit amount and duration. Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you apply for benefits. Your earnings must be at least $2,500 in one of the four quarters, and at least 5.3% of the state’s average annual wage in the entire base period².
  • You must register with CareerForce, which is a network of workforce development partners that connects job seekers and employers in Minnesota. You can also access various resources and services through CareerForce, such as job search assistance, education, training, and career counseling³.

If you meet these requirements, you can apply for unemployment benefits online or by phone. You will need to provide your personal information, such as your social security number, address, phone number, and email address. You will also need to provide information about your employment history, such as the names and addresses of your employers, the dates of employment, the reasons for separation, and the amount of wages earned.

You will also need to request a benefit payment every week that you are unemployed or working part-time. You will need to answer questions about your work search activities, income, and availability for work. You will also need to report any job offers or refusals of work. You can request a benefit payment online or by phone.

The amount and duration of your unemployment benefits will depend on your base period earnings and the state’s unemployment rate. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $740, and the minimum is $234. The maximum duration of benefits is 26 weeks in a 52-week benefit year.

For more information about Minnesota unemployment benefits, you can visit the official website of the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program or call the customer service at 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area) or 877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota area).

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