North Dakota Unemployment

North Dakota Unemployment Insurance

Job Service North Dakota provides workforce and unemployment services to North Dakotans across the state. North Dakota offers nine Workforce Centers, plus a central location in Bismarck that administers the unemployment insurance benefits program.

UI benefits help provide financial stability when unemployed workers lose employment through no fault of their own, bridging the gap as North Dakotans seek new jobs and providing stability within the labor force.

North Dakota Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in North Dakota?

To be eligible for unemployment compensation in North Dakota, a claimant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be separated from employment through no fault of your own or have working hours reduced
• Be financially eligible – this is established based on work performed and wages earned during your base period, which helps establish benefit amounts
• Be actively seeking new employment
• Be able to work when work is offered
• Be available to work when work is offered

Benefit Payments and Duration

How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in North Dakota?

North Dakota offers two options for a claimant to file an initial unemployment claim:

• Online via Job Service North Dakota’s UI benefits site
• By telephone – the telephone number is 701-328-4995
• Claims Center staff are available to help claimants Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How Do I Manage My Unemployment Benefits?

For each week you’d like to collect unemployment compensation, you will need to recertify your eligibility. Weekly benefit certifications can be completed online or by telephone using North Dakota’s automated voice response system at 701-328-4995.

To complete the certification process, you will need the PIN you received when you submitted your initial claim. If you have not yet established or have misplaced/forgotten your PIN, you must log into your account and select Reset PIN from the main menu.

You must answer questions about your previous week’s work activities, including how much income you earned, whether you were able and available for work, and whether you completed your required level of work searches for that week. All of this information must be submitted before you are approved for a weekly North Dakota unemployment benefits payment.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

Both the employer and the claimant have the right to appeal all notices, determinations, and decisions made regarding an initial unemployment claim. You may file an appeal through your online account by submitting a detailed statement of appeal in writing.

All requests must be filed with the Appeals Section of Job Service North Dakota on or before the deadline date that will be listed in your notice of denial.

Written requests for an appeal also may be submitted in person to any Job Service office, faxed to 701-328-2728, or mailed to Appeals Section, P.O. Box 5507, Bismarck, North Dakota 58506-5507.

How Do I Report Fraud?

UI benefits fraud may manifest in several different ways. One of the most insidious is identity theft. If you believe someone is fraudulently collecting unemployment compensation using your information, please report it using the online form North Dakota makes available.

If you suspect anyone of collecting UI benefits by providing any other misleading or fraudulent information, you can report those concerns using the same form. Helping North Dakota investigate UI benefits fraud helps make sure tax dollars are spent appropriately and that UI benefits are administered to those who need them the most.

North Dakota Unemployment Office Locations