Employees who are out of work for no fault of their own in Minnesota, like in every other state, may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Eligibility regulations, past earnings requirements, benefit levels, and other specifics vary by state.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development administers the state’s unemployment insurance program (DEED). The state’s unemployment insurance program offers financial assistance to people who have lost their jobs or had their working hours reduced due to circumstances beyond their control.
If you want to receive Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (MUI) benefits, you must meet the state’s monetary and non-monetary qualification requirements.
We’ll look at Minnesota unemployment and how to apply for unemployment benefits in the state.
MN Unemployment Definition
Unemployment refers to people who are employable and actively looking for work but are unable to find work. People in the labor force who are working but do not have suitable job are included in this category.
Unemployment is one of the indicators of a country’s economic status and is usually measured by the unemployment rate, which is calculated by dividing the number of unemployed people by the total number of people in the labor force.
The term “unemployment” is frequently misunderstood because it includes people who are waiting to return to work after being discharged but excludes people who have stopped looking for work in the last four weeks for a variety of reasons such as leaving work to pursue higher education, retirement, disability, and personal issues.
People who are not actively looking for work but want to work are not considered unemployed. People who have not looked for a job in the last four weeks but have actively sought one in the last 12 months are classified as “discouraged workers,”.
Minnesota Unemployment Rate
According to data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the state added 14,500 jobs in July 2022, the most since March (DEED).
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the state is now 3.9 percent, one-tenth of a percentage point lower than it was in June.
The decrease is attributed to people entering the labor force as well as a slight decrease in the state’s labor force participation.
The national unemployment rate is 5.4 percent.
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance
Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program provides workers who are laid off through no fault of their own with a temporary partial income replacement.
It acts as a stabilizer and stimulator during economic downturns, assisting employers in maintaining a skilled workforce.
Best Tips for Minnesota Unemployment Benefits Application
Minnesota unemployment benefits compensate for lost wages in the short term and only partially (that is, money). This assists workers who have been laid off through no fault of their own. If you qualify, these benefits can provide you with basic living expenses while you look for work.
You can apply for unemployment benefits on the first day you are unemployed or have your working hours reduced.
- Apply online at www.uimn.org. Click on Apply for UI Benefits
- Apply over the phone using the automated phone option. You can choose English, Spanish, Hmong, or Somali:
- Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
- Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090 (toll-free)
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Minnesota, applicants must meet the following three criteria:
- Minimum wage requirements must have been met in the past.
- According to Minnesota law, you must be unemployed due to no fault of your own
- You must be capable, available, and actively seeking work.
How to Claim Minnesota Unemployment Benefits
For the first time, you can apply for Minnesota unemployment benefits by creating an account on the UIM website and filling out the online form. You can also make a claim by phone at one of the following numbers:
- Twin Cities: 651-296-3644
- Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090
- TTY (for applicants with hearing impairments): 1-866-814-1252
When applying for UIM benefits, you must provide accurate information and answer all questions. Leaving out questions or answering them incorrectly may cause your application to be delayed or denied. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Social Security or Alien Registration number
- Your main occupation
- Complete work history
- Driver’s license number (if applicable)
- Your full name and contact information, including your middle initial
You will then receive a determination of benefit account letter in the mail informing you whether your application was approved and how much money you have been awarded.
Even if your application is still being processed, you should request your benefits payment online once a week. Late or missed requests may have an impact on your benefit payments. You can submit your request online at the UIM website between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays. Alternatively, you can call the following numbers to request payment:
- Twin Cities: 651-296-3644
- Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090
- TTY: 1-866-814-1252
If you prefer to claim over the phone, you will be assigned a time slot on a Tuesday or Wednesday based on the last digit of your Social Security number. If you miss your allotted time slot, you can call between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday or Friday.
Minnesota Unemployment Benefits Eligibility
To receive unemployment benefits in Minnesota, you must demonstrate that you meet the state’s eligibility requirements. The DEED determines your eligibility based on your earnings and the reasons you are unemployed. Even after your initial application is accepted, you will be expected to meet weekly eligibility criteria in order to continue claiming benefits.
Minnesota Unemployment Monetary Eligibility Criteria
To receive Minnesota unemployment benefits, you must meet a minimum earnings threshold during a base period. The base period encompasses the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters preceding the submission of your claim.
Minnesota Unemployment Non-Monetary Eligibility Criteria
Only if you have the legal right to work in the United States can you apply for Minnesota unemployment benefits. In addition, you must be able to provide a justifiable reason for your unemployment.
The DEED typically accepts applicants who have been laid off or had their hours drastically reduced through no fault of their own, typically due to a lack of work or other business reasons.
It does not provide benefits to employees whose jobs were terminated due to misconduct. However, it may consider applicants who were let go for less serious reasons, such as poor performance, honest mistakes, or poor attendance where the employee was genuinely ill and provided reasonable notice.
In most cases, unless your reasons for leaving your job are considered compelling, you will not be able to receive unemployment benefits in Minnesota if you quit.
Minnesota Unemployment Weekly Eligibility Criteria
Benefit recipients are required by the DEED to look for work and accept any suitable job offer. When you file your weekly claim, you must demonstrate that you are taking steps to find work, such as applying for advertised positions, seeking assistance from a career counselor, or attending meetings at your local CareerForce branch.
If you belong to a union hall, you may not be required to look for work, but you must be in good standing with the organization.
A suitable job offer is defined by the DEED as work that is appropriate for your skills and experience and provides a standard salary and commuting distance for your field.
If you do not look for work or accept a suitable position, you may lose your eligibility for benefits.
If you are not available or able to work during any given week, you will not receive benefits. This means you must be mentally and physically fit to attend, as well as have adequate transportation and childcare in place. Claimants are not entitled to benefits while incarcerated in Minnesota.
Minnesota Unemployment Office
You can contact Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Service at –
UI Customer Service
P.O. Box 75576
St. Paul, MN 55175-0576
Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090
TTY for the hearing impaired: 1-866-814-1252
Minnesota Unemployment Login
MN unemployment login has a dashboard that is easy to navigate, to be able to access the portal you must first register in uimn.org login.
Minnesota Unemployment Number
Call the automated phone system to speak with a Minnesota unemployment representative: 651-296-3644 in the Twin Cities. Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090; TTY – for the deaf: 1-866-814-1252.
Minnesota Minimum Earnings Requirement?
Almost all states use your most recent job history and wages during a one-year “base period” to determine your unemployment eligibility.
In Minnesota, the base period is either the four most recent calendar quarters or the first four of the five most recent calendar quarters preceding the filing of your benefits claim.
During the base period, you must have earned at least 5.3 percent of the current statewide average annual wage (rounded down to the nearest $100).
Amount and Duration of Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota
The DEED determines the amount of your weekly benefit. During the base period, your weekly benefit amount will be roughly half of your average weekly salary, up to a maximum that varies each year based on the state’s average weekly wage. (The maximum in the first half of 2022 was $762.)
In most cases, benefits are granted for a period of up to 26 weeks. Enter your information into the DEED Benefits Estimator to get an idea of how much your weekly benefit could be.
How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota
If your unemployment claim is denied, you have 20 days after receiving the denial notice to file an appeal. You can file an appeal via mail, fax, or online (by logging into your DEED account). A hearing will be set up to hear both your and your employer’s testimony. The hearing, which is normally conducted over the phone, will be presided over by an Unemployment Law Judge (ULJ), who will issue a written decision.
If you disagree with the ULJ’s decision, you can file a Request for Reconsideration. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the option of filing an appeal with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Can I Work While I am Getting Unemployment Benefits?
While receiving unemployment benefits, you may work part-time, but the amount of your salary will be deducted from your benefits. How it works is as follows:
If you work less than 32 hours per week OR if the hours at your job were reduced to less than 32 hours per week and you now earn less than your weekly unemployment allowance, you may be eligible for a partial payment.
You will not be eligible for unemployment benefits if you work 32 hours or more per week, or if your weekly gross earnings are equal to or greater than your weekly unemployment amount.
Declare all of your earnings, including those from temporary or part-time employment. Even if you believe the Unemployment Office is already aware of the position, report the pay.
If you do not submit all of your earnings or other income, you will be overpaid. You must repay the overpayment to the Unemployment Office, plus interest. There’s also a chance you’ll have to pay a fraud penalty.
What is the Current Unemployment Rate in the State of Minnesota?
Up to a maximum of $857 per week, your weekly benefit amount will be equal to about fifty percent of your typical weekly earnings.
When is the Appropriate Time to File for Unemployment in the State of Minnesota?
You should file an application for benefits within a week of losing your job or having your hours significantly cut back. If you work 32 or more hours in a week, you are not counted as jobless for that week in the United States.
When Should I Expect my First Payment to be Sent?
After three full weeks have passed from the opening of your benefits account, you will be eligible to receive your first payment. You must always submit a payment request for the prior week’s benefits.
Conclusion
Millions of Americans benefited from unemployment benefits in Minnesota, particularly during the lockdown.
So, if you live in Minnesota and are eligible for unemployment benefits, this will show you how to apply for unemployment benefits in Minnesota.
How does MN unemployment insurance work?
Unemployment Insurance compensates employees who are laid off through no fault of their own. Employer taxes are used to fund the benefits. Employers: If you have employees covered by Minnesota’s unemployment insurance law, you must set up an employer account.
Are taxes taken out of Minnesota unemployment?
Unemployment benefits are taxable income under federal and Minnesota state law. To request, cancel, or amend your income tax withholding, log in to your account online at www.uimn.org or call the automated phone system.
How long does it take to get approved for unemployment MN?
How long does it take to process and receive unemployment benefits? Most people who apply for unemployment benefits, submit a payment request, and meet all eligibility criteria have their payments authorized within one week. According to DEED, it happens much faster in many cases.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Minnesota?
Your weekly benefit is approximately half of your average weekly wage, up to a state maximum of $762. We will send you a Determination of Benefit Account, which will show your weekly benefit amount as well as the total amount of benefits available to you.
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