Iowa Unemployment

Iowa Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Iowa’s unemployment insurance benefits program provides compensation to eligible Iowa workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. Successful claimants must also meet other eligibility requirements required under Iowa law.

Unemployment assistance in Iowa is intended to provide a temporary financial bridge to unemployed workers while they seek new employment, providing stability to local economies and crucial assistance for Iowa families who need it.

Iowa Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for Iowa Unemployment Benefits

To be eligible for UI benefits in Iowa, a worker must meet the following criteria:

• Be totally or partially unemployed, through no fault of his or her own
• Have worked and earned a minimum amount of wages covered by unemployment during the 15 to 18 months before filing an initial claim
• Have lost a job through no fault of their own

You must also be willing and able to accept suitable work if and when it is offered.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Iowa Unemployment Benefits

You may file for unemployment assistance online, which is likely the fastest and most efficient way to do so. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can also use a computer at a local IowaWORKS Center. 

If you need one-on-one assistance to file your initial state unemployment benefits claim, please call a local IowaWORKS Center to schedule an appointment.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

To receive weekly benefit payments after filing an initial claim for UI benefits, an unemployed worker must continue to confirm eligibility every week using Iowa’s claims reporting system.

Each week that the weekly claim is filed, the claimant will be asked to certify the following types of information:

• Whether the claimant remains unemployed or working only reduced hours
• Whether the claimant is able and available to accept suitable work
• Whether the claimant has refused any job offers or referrals
• Whether the claimant is actively looking for a new job
• Whether the claimant is reporting any pension they may be receiving
• Whether the claimant is reporting any gross wages, vacation time, severance, and/or holiday pay they may be receiving

You may file a weekly unemployment benefit claim online using the same account you set up when you filed your initial unemployment claim.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

Both employee and employer have the right to appeal any decision associated with your claim before an administrative law judge. If you choose to request an appeal, your formal request must be postmarked within 10 calendar days from the date stated on your formal decision letter.

You may file a formal request for appeal by completing Iowa’s Unemployment Insurance Appeal Form and mailing it, along with any supporting documentation, to the following address:

Iowa Workforce Development
Appeals Bureau
1000 E Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209

Reporting Fraud

A person commits fraud by “knowingly providing false information, or withholding information, in order to receive UI benefits.” Fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits in Iowa is a serious crime and can lead to penalties that include:

• Criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment
• Denial of future benefits
• Repayment of fraudulently collected unemployment benefits, plus a 15 percent penalty
• wage garnishments and liens
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds

If you suspect someone of fraudulently collecting unemployment assistance, please report your concerns using any of the following methods:

• Online: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/report-fraud
• Mail:
  Iowa Workforce Development
  Attn: Fraud
  1000 E. Grand Avenue
  Des Moines, IA 50319
• Fax: 515-281-9033
  Iowa Workforce Development
  Attn: Fraud

Iowa Unemployment Office Locations