America is the land of opportunities; that’s why it’s common to see people taking advantage of Social Security Family Benefits or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Enrollment Program. There are even benefits for workers as well.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment continues to be high in certain states in the U.S. However, in 2022 there was a significant drop in rates, which has been changing over the course of 2024.
In the case of Minnesota, as of June of this year, the unemployment rate closed at 32,649 according to the Unemployment Insurance Statistics Data Tool, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment, and Economic Development (DEED). If you are part of that statistic, the Minnesota government offers you assistance based on your unemployment status.
How do I request unemployment payments in MN?
If you have recently become unemployed through no fault of your own or your employer has reduced your work hours to 32 or less, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has a program that will help you while you get a new job or increase your work hours: The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program (UIMN).
To apply and receive this help you must have certain documents and complete a series of steps either by phone or through the self-service system platform (the latter will be your best option, since occasionally the line is collapsed). Before starting the application, you must have this information at hand:
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s license number or the number of another official identity document
- Your employment history for the last 18 months (must include: full name, address, phone number, month and year you were employed, pay, and reason(s) why you no longer work with that employer)
- Your routing number and the bank account number where you wish to receive the assistance
Once you have all this information, you must go to the web platform to apply for or call these numbers depending on your condition or county of residence:
- Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
- Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090 Toll-Freee)
- TTY (for hearing impaired) 1-866-814-1252
Both ways will require you to answer a series of questions that will help determine whether you are eligible for this UIMN benefit. You must do this process the same week that you become unemployed or your hours are reduced.
What other information do I need to have to receive the benefit?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, or you were employed by a federal government office or were in the military in the last few months, you must have specific documents, such as an employment authorization document, SF-8 and SF-50 and DD-214, Member 4 depending on your case.
You should also know that if you speak a language other than English, the telephone platform is available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, as well as the website. If you speak another language, you will have the possibility to request an interpreter to assist you in your application via telephone.
Another important thing to consider is that if you do not select direct deposit as your payment method, UINM will send you a U.S. Bank ReliaCard (unemployment debit card). This method can be sent to you in seven to 10 business days. And in case you want to receive the direct payment, you can cancel it at any time.
As long as you've filed and were accepted for unemployment through Mn . You don't have to do anything else. I received my first unemployment payment from MN then in a separate deposit today got the $600 from federal
— David Hawkins (@Dhawk1202) April 8, 2020
Also, you should know that if your application was accepted, you will begin to receive the payment approximately three weeks after the application, since the system establishes that you must be unemployed for one week before receiving the stipend. This is known as a non-payable week. Note that you will only receive 50% of your last pay rate.
Finally, you should be as honest as possible and provide as much information as necessary, because your answers will be compared with those of your last employer, whom UIMN will also interview.
What should I do if my application was accepted?
As you know, you will be receiving a payment of half of your last salary. The payments will be weekly, so the amount will be half of what you were or are receiving. UIMN will mail you a Determination of Benefit Account, which will reflect the benefit to be received. However, just because you receive this does not mean that you have been selected.
Once you are clear about this, it is important that you save your password to enter the system and remember that your username will be your Social Security Number. This will help you to make the weekly payment request, which you will have to do only from Sunday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you prefer the telephone method, there are specific days depending on the terminal of your Social Security Number. You will need to call the numbers above on the following days:
- 1, 3, or 5 from Tuesday at 6:00 a.m. until the evening
- 7 or 9 from Tuesday evening until 6 p.m
- 0, 2, or 4 from Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. until the evening
- 6 or 8 from Wednesday evening until 6 p.m
- Any terminal from Thursday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Applications are only made for the week before payment, not the following week(s). In addition, in each application, the office will ask you if you worked during the week, and if your answer is yes, you must report the amount you earned for that work and the hours you worked.
How long can you collect unemployment in MN?
You can receive The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program benefit for only 26 weeks. Want to extend your benefit? This is only available when there are high unemployment rates in Minnesota.
If you have reached 26 weeks and cannot get a job or are still working less than 32 hours per week, there is another unemployment assistance program; you are only eligible if you have exhausted all other benefits such as UIMN.
You must always show an interest in being employed or working more hours, as this will help you to be eligible to be a beneficiary of these plans.
References
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“Applicant Self-Service System / Applicants – Unemployment Insurance Minnesota.” Applicants – Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, https://www.uimn.org/applicants/howapply/application-process/self-service.jsp
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“Https://Www.Uimn.Org/Assets/HowToApplyForUI_tcm1068-193561.Pdf.” UIMN, https://www.uimn.org/assets/HowToApplyForUI_tcm1068-193561.pdf
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“Minnesota Unemployment Extension – Extended Benefits (EB) | Unemployment Handbook.” Unemployment Handbook, https://unemploymenthandbook.com/minnesota-unemployment-extension-extended-benefits-eb/.
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Development.” Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/unemployment-insurance-statistics/uimonthly.jsp