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Even in the best of times, understanding how unemployment benefits work can be a challenge. This directory makes it easy to find everything you need to know about unemployment insurance and benefits in each state. Choose your state to quickly access information about what actions you need to take if you plan on terminating an employee. You’ll also find links you can share with employees who need to file an unemployment claim.
Managing multiple layoffs?
Please note: If, as the result of the global outbreak of COVID-19, you find that you will need to need to shut down your business or lay off multiple workers, it’s important to review the federal or state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) requirements around advance notice for your business. If you aren’t sure which regulations apply to your business, be sure to consult your legal advisor. You can also find more information in our COVID-19 resource center.
The US Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance programs provide unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own when they meet certain eligibility requirements. For the states that offer them, we’ve also included a link to COVID-19 specific updates.
| State | Unemployment Information | Documentation required? | Final wages, if employee quit | Final wages, if employee fired | COVID-19 Updates |
| Alabama | General information
|
None required | No law | No law | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Alaska | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday that’s at least three (3) days after the employee gives notice | Within 7 working days of termination | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Arizona | General information
|
UIB-1015A | Next scheduled payday | Whichever is first: within seven (7) business days or next payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Arkansas | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Within 7 business days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| California | General information
|
For Your Benefit pamphlet must be given to employees no later than the effective date of termination along with an immediate written notice to employees of a change in the employment relationship. | Within 72 hours | Immediately | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Colorado | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Immediately | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Connecticut | General information
|
Employers must provide employees with Form UC-61 -Unemployment Separation Notice immediately upon termination of employment. | Next scheduled payday | Next business day | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Delaware | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| District of Columbia | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: within 7 days or next payday | Next business day | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Florida | General information
|
None required | No law | No law | n/a |
| Georgia | General information
|
Separation notice — DOL Form 800 | No law | No law | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Hawaii | General information
|
None required | Immediately or next scheduled payday, depending on date of final notice | Immediately or next business day if needed | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Idaho | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: 1) within 10 days or next payday OR 2) if the employee makes a written request for earlier payment, then within 48 hours of receiving the request | Whichever is first: 1) within 10 days or next payday OR 2) if the employee makes a written request for earlier payment, then within 48 hours of receiving the request | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Illinois | General information
|
Pamphlet “What Every Worker Should Know About Unemployment Insurance” is required if workers are laid off for 7 days or more or separated from payroll for any reason | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | N/A |
| Indiana | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Iowa | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Kansas | General information
|
None required, but employers must provide documentation if requested by the employee. | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Kentucky | General information
|
None required | Whichever is later: within 14 days or next scheduled payday | Whichever is later: within 14 days or next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Louisiana | General information
|
Form LWC-77 within three days after the date on which the separation from service occurs, or three days after the worker’s separation from employment. | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Maine | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two (2) weeks of a demand from the employee | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two (2) weeks of a demand from the employee | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Maryland | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday. | Next scheduled payday. | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Massachusetts | General information
|
The How to File a Claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits brochure must be provided | Whichever is first: next paycheck or the Saturday that follows an employee’s resignation | Immediately | N/A |
| Michigan | General information
|
Form UIA-1711 | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Minnesota | General information
|
None required, unless requested by the employee. If requested, the employee is entitled to obtain a copy of their personnel record. If requested in writing within 15 working days of the termination, the employee is entitled to a written explanation of the truthful reasons for the employer’s termination decision. | Next payday that’s at least five (5) days after an employee’s last day but no more than 20 days after final day | Immediately | N/A |
| Mississippi | General information
|
None required | No law | No law | N/A |
| Missouri | General information
|
None required | No law | Immediately | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Montana | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | Immediately, but the employer can maintain a written policy that extends this time to the next payday or within 15 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Nebraska | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two weeks | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two weeks | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Nevada | General information
|
NUCS-4139 | Whichever is first: within 7 days or next payday | Immediately | COVID-19 specific updates |
| New Hampshire | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday or within 72 hours (if employee gave at least one pay period’s notice) | Within 72 hours | N/A |
| New Jersey | General information
|
Instructions for Claiming Unemployment Benefits, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Unemployment Insurance Form – BC 10 is required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| New Mexico | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Within 5 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| New York | General information
|
Employers are required to notify any employee terminated from employment with form IA-12.3 | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| North Carolina | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| North Dakota | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | N/A |
| Ohio | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Oklahoma | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Oregon | General information
|
None required | Immediately if the employee gave 48 hours’ notice. Otherwise within 5 days | Next business day | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Pennsylvania | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | N/A |
| Rhode Island | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| South Carolina | General information
|
None required | No law | Whichever is first: within 48 hours or next scheduled payday | N/A |
| South Dakota | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday or when employee returns company property | Next scheduled payday or when employee returns company property | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Tennessee | General information
|
A Separation Notice must be given to the employee within 24 hours of separation | Within 21 days | Within 21 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Texas | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Within 6 days | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Utah | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Within 24 hours | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Vermont | General information
|
None required | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or next Friday | Within 72 hours | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Virginia | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Washington | General information
|
None required but Washington law does require employers to provide a signed written statement stating the 1) reasons for and 2) effective date of discharge upon a written request by the employee | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| West Virginia | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Next scheduled payday | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Wisconsin | General information
|
None required | Next scheduled payday | Whichever is first: next scheduled payday or within one month | COVID-19 specific updates |
| Wyoming | General information
|
None required | Within 5 business days | Within 5 business days | COVID-19 specific updates |
In addition, you can use our guide to termination paperwork by state with more resources on what requirements are and things for employers to keep in mind.
If you have questions about updated tax laws and deadlines, click here for quick access to your state’s tax website and information.
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Jon Davis is the Sr. Content Marketing Manager at OnPay. He has over 15 years of experience writing for small and growing businesses. Jon lives and works in Atlanta.