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Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The unemployment insurance benefits program for the commonwealth of Massachusetts is managed by the Department of Unemployment Assistance.
The program is designed to provide temporary financial assistance for Massachusetts residents who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and is funded by Massachusetts employers.
Massachusetts Unemployment Services
| Website | mass.gov/topics/unemployment |
| Private Website | Massachusetts Unemployment |
| Phone | 877-626-6800 |
| Apply Online | File a Claim |
| Weekly Certification | File a Weekly Claim |
| Appeal a Denial | Request a Hearing |
| Find a Local Office | Career Center Locations |
| Report Fraud | Benefits Fraud |
| Coronavirus Updates | COVID-19 Assistance |
How To Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts
While no determination about unemployment eligibility can be made until you submit your initial unemployment claim, a claimant who meets the following eligibility criteria is likely to be approved for benefits:
- Earned appropriate income during the base period for review
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
- Unemployed, or working only part time, through no fault of the claimant
- Able and willing to accept suitable work if and when it is offered
Benefit Payments and Duration
| Base Period | First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters |
| Alt Base Period | Last 3 completed quarters |
| Duration of Benefits | Weekly Payment | Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year) | |
| Min | Max | ||
| 10-26 weeks | $98 | $823 | $24,690 – $37,020 |
How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts
The commonwealth of Massachusetts prefers that initial UI benefits claims be submitted online. To do so, you must create an account on the UI online portal. Through this process, you will be prompted to set up a password and a security verification question. You will use this password every time you log in to UI Online, so make sure it’s something you can remember.
You can also submit a new claim for unemployment benefits by calling the Massachusetts TeleClaim Center. The number you call depends on your area code, as outlined below:
- For area codes 351, 413, 508, 774, and 978: 877-626-6800
- Any other area code: 617-626-6800
- For Voice Relay: 711
TeleClaim Center hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please note that it’s not uncommon to experience long wait times when making your initial claim by phone.
Managing Your Unemployment Benefits
Once you have applied for UI benefits, you must continue to request unemployment compensation for each week you remain unemployed. Each time you request weekly benefits, you’ll be expected to answer questions about your unemployment status and your job search activities for the previous week.
When requesting your weekly benefit online in Massachusetts, it is recommended that you use a laptop or desktop computer instead of a smartphone. You’ll log into the same UI online account you created when submitting your initial claim in order to file your weekly benefits claim.
You may also call the TeleCert line at 617-626-6338, between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in order to submit your weekly benefits claim. Please note that you may be required to register with a career center or to complete mandatory seminars in order to remain eligible for unemployment benefits.
How Do I Appeal a Decision?
You may appeal a decision regarding your claim if you disagree with the determination. You are encouraged to submit your appeal online using your UI Online account.
In Massachusetts, You may also submit your appeal by mail using one of the methods outlined below:
- Complete the Appeal Request Information form that was included with your Notice of Disqualification
- Write a letter formally requesting an appeal. Include your telephone number, your claimant ID, and signature. Mail your completed form or letter to the following address:
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Hearings Department
19 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
Reporting Fraud
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance is dedicated to protecting unemployment claimants and preventing fraud. Unemployment fraud has tremendous potential to divert benefits away from the Massachusetts workers who need them most.
If you believe someone has fraudulently applied for unemployment benefits, you are strongly encouraged to use the state’s secure fraud reporting form to voice your concerns about the fraudulent claim.
You may also call DUA customer service at 877-626-6800 to share any information you have regarding potential UI benefits fraud in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Unemployment Office Locations
| Attleboro Unemployment Office | 95 Pine Street Attleboro, MA 02703 |
508-222-1950 |
| Boston Unemployment Office | 1010 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02119 |
617-541-1400 |
| Downtown Boston Unemployment Office | 75 Federal Street 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02110-1913 |
617-399-3100 |
| Greater Brockton Unemployment Office | 34 School Street Brockton, MA 02301 |
508-513-3400 |
| Unemployment Office – Cambridge | 186 Alewife Brook Parkway # 310 Cambridge, MA 02138 |
617-661-7867 |
| Unemployment Office – Chelsea | 4 Gerrish Ave Chelsea, MA 02150 |
617-884-4333 |
| Fall River Unemployment Office | 446 North Main Street Fall River, MA 02720 |
508-730-5000 |
| Framingham Unemployment Office | 1671 Worcester Rd Ste. 205 Framingham, MA 01701 |
508-861-7993 |
| Unemployment Office – Gloucester | 5 Pleasant Street Gloucester, MA 01930 |
978-283-4772 |
| Unemployment Office – Greenfield | One Arch Place Suite 2 Greenfield, MA 01301 |
413-774-4361 |
| Unemployment Office – Haverhill | 160 Merrimack Street Haverhill, MA 01830 |
978-241-4730 |
| Holyoke Unemployment Office | 850 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 |
413-532-4900 |
| Unemployment Office Hyannis | 372 North Street Hyannis, MA 02601 |
508-771-5627 |
| Merrimack Valley Unemployment Office | 255 Essex Street Lawrence, MA 01840 |
978-722-7000 |
| North Central Unemployment Office | 100 Erdman Way Leominster, MA 01453 |
978-534-1481 |
| Lowell Unemployment Office | 107 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852 |
978-458-2503 |
| Unemployment Office – Lynn | 300 Broad Street Room LE-102 Lynn, MA 01902 |
781-477-2167 |
| Greater New Bedford Unemployment Office | 618 Acushnet Avenue New Bedford, MA 02740 |
508-990-4000 |
| Berkshire Unemployment Office | 160 North Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 |
413-499-2220 |
| South Shore Unemployment Offices | 1515 Hancock Street Suite 101 Quincy, MA 02169 |
617-745-4000 |
| North Shore Unemployment Office | 70 Washington St 1st Floor Salem, MA 01970 |
978-825-7200 |
| Unemployment Office – Salem | 70 Washington Street Salem, MA 01970 |
781-691-7430 |
| Southbridge Unemployment Office | 5 Optical Drive Suite 200 Southbridge, MA 01550 |
508-765-6430 |
| Springfield Unemployment Office | 95 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor Springfield, MA 01103 |
413-858-2800 |
| Taunton Unemployment Office | 72 School Street Taunton, MA 02780 |
508-977-1400 |
| Unemployment Office – Woburn | 100 TradeCenter Suite G-100 Woburn, MA 01801 |
781-932-5500 |
| Worcester Unemployment Office | 340 Main Street Suite 400 Worcester, MA 01608 |
508-799-1600 |
