Tennessee Unemployment

Tennessee Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The Tennessee Unemployed Insurance program is administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program exists to support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. 

Funded by Tennessee employers, the program can provide up to $275 per week in income for qualified candidates.

Tennessee Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for Tennessee Unemployment Benefits

If you are without work through no fault of your own, you’ve earned sufficient qualifying wages over the last 12 months, and you’re willing, able, and available for work, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in Tennessee.

To be eligible for Tennessee unemployment insurance benefits, you must be a resident of Tennessee and all of the following must be true:

• You are unemployed through no fault of your own
• You worked in Tennessee during the past 12 months
• You earned a minimum amount of wages determined by Tennessee guidelines
• You are actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits

Tennessee claimants are most often deemed ineligible for the following reasons:

• The claimant voluntarily terminated employment without good work-related cause
• The claimant was terminated for work-related misconduct
• The claimant is participating in a labor dispute other than a lockout that is in active progress
• The claimant fails to seek or to accept suitable work when offered

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply

You can submit your UI benefits application online at Jobs4TN.gov. Create an account by providing a username, password, and email address. You will be asked to provide information regarding the circumstances of your job separation, your current level of employment, background and personal information, and the contact information of your previous employer.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

To remain eligible for UI benefits, claimants must provide updated information on a weekly basis about their job search and report any job offers they may have received. Use the same Jobs4TN account you created with your initial unemployment claim to certify your weekly jobless claim. If your information supports your continued eligibility, you will receive unemployment compensation for another week.

Filing an Appeal

If your request for unemployment benefits was denied, you have the option to file an appeal in the state of Tennessee. The easiest way to appeal is online through Jobs4TN. Log in to your account and click File Appeal under Services for Individuals. Then choose Unemployment Services.

Your appeal must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the date your denial notice was mailed. Once it’s received, you will be invited to participate in a hearing. An appeals hearing officer will hear testimony and examine evidence such as documents submitted by both you and your employer, along with any witnesses either may call. The hearing officer then will make a determination based solely on the evidence and testimony presented during the hearing.

Appeals of the hearing outcome will then be submitted in writing to the Office of Administrative Review within 15 calendar days of the date the hearing decision was mailed.

The Office of Administrative Review Mailing address is:

Office of Administrative Review, Legal Division
Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, TN 37243-1002
Fax: (615) 741-0290

Reporting Fraud

Anyone who suspects Tennessee unemployment benefits fraud can call, write or email to report their concerns using any of the methods listed below. This information can remain anonymous throughout the investigation process, and all concerns about fraudulent claims are taken seriously and investigated.

Benefit Payment Control
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, TN 37243-1002
[email protected]
Phone: (615) 645-3893
Fax: (615) 253-5331

Unemployment fraud is classified as a felony and penalties include fines of up to $3,000 and prison sentences of up to six years. In addition, all erroneous payments must be returned, and an individual found guilty of fraud may not be considered for unemployment benefits at any point in the future.  

Tennessee Unemployment Office Locations