File for Unemployment Benefits

You can file for unemployment in Louisiana online at the LWC’s HIRE website or by calling the UI Call Center on a touch tone telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is not recommended for claimants to use cell phones to file claims for unemployment insurance. Claims that are interrupted due to connection or service problems will not be processed and must be completed from start to finish in a one call session.

Unemployment Application and Initial Claim

File Your Unemployment Application and Initial Claim Process

Follow these steps to successfully file for unemployment online:

1. Go to the HIRE website and select “Start or reopen an unemployment claim” under the tab “REEMPLOYMENT SERVICES.”
2. On the following page, read the notices, then click “Next.”
3. Enter your Social Security Number twice. Don’t use dashes.
4. Answer the Eligibility questions
5. Enter your account registration information
6. Enter your work history information
7. Do not close your application until you receive a notification that your information has been submitted.

Documents and Information Needed During Filing

When filing for unemployment, you will need the supply the following documents and information as a part of the application.

• Your name and contact information
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License or State ID number
• Name, address, phone number, and job-site locations for all employers you worked for during your base period
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, provide your Alien registration number
• If you belong to a union, provide your union hall name and number
• If you served in the military at any time in the past 18 months, provide a copy of your Form DD214, member 4
• If you were a federal civilian employee, provide a copy of your Form SF-8 and SF-50.

Claim Weekly Benefits

You must file for benefits every week you want to receive them, until your maximum benefits have been exhausted. You can claim benefits each week you continue to meet both work and wages eligibility criteria. You can reopen a claim if you qualify again in the same way you would normally file a weekly benefits claim.

How to Claim Weekly Benefits

A claim week is one week, from Monday to Sunday, that you request benefit payments.  You can claim weekly benefits online or over the phone.

To claim weekly benefits online:

1. Log in to your HiRE account you created when you filed your initial request for unemployment benefits
2. Answer the questions about work and income received during the past week.
3. Enter the names of all the employers you contacted about work during the week, and the date you contacted them
4. If you’re a union member, you must enter the date and time you went to the hall or called, and the name of the person you spoke with

Claim Denials or Discrepancies

All Louisiana unemployment insurance claims are processed through the computer software HiRE program. The system automatically calculates your benefits eligibility based on the information you provide. Your employers are contacted and asked to verify the information.  You could be denied benefits if you don’t meet all eligibility criteria, if a former employer disputes your claim, or if the information you provide is inaccurate or incomplete. If you are denied unemployment insurance benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision. However, if it is determined that you provided false information or withheld relevant information, you may face prosecution and legal penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment. 

Appeals Process for Denied Claims

You can appeal a denied claim online, by postal mail, or by fax. The appeal must be postmarked, submitted online, or faxed within 15 days of the date the LWC mailed the notice of disqualification. To make sure your appeal is received on time, you should file your appeal request as soon as you receive the notice. Your case will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge of the Appeals Tribunal. If your claim is found unwarranted, you can make a second appeal to a Board of Review. If the Board of Review also denies your claim, your last option is to file a final appeal to the Judicial District Court where you live. You should continue to file weekly benefits claims while you are appealing a denial. 

To file an appeal online, go to the HiRE page, Request a Redetermination of Your Benefit Amount. Fill out the requested information, including your reason for appeal. If you mail or fax a written appeal, include your full name, Social Security Number, the case number on your Notice of Determination, reasons for your appeal, and your signature. After you file your appeal, you will be mailed a letter confirming that your appeal was received. If you don’t receive a letter within ten days of filing, contact the UI Call Center for help.

If you need to subpoena documents or witnesses, you can submit a request in writing to the judge immediately after receiving your Notice of Hearing, no less than three days before the scheduled hearing. You may bring witnesses and other evidence if they are directly relevant to your case. You do not need legal representation, but you may choose to be represented by an attorney or other interested party if you prefer.

The hearing will take place as soon as possible, usually within three to four weeks from when you file your appeal, at a hearing location within 50 miles of all interested parties. If there is no hearing location within 50 miles for all people involved, the hearing will be conducted over the phone. The Notice of Hearing will be mailed to all people involved in the case no later than 10 days before the hearing.

Office of Appeals Contact Information

LWC HiRE online appeal:

Request a Redetermination of Your Benefit Amount

Mail to:

Louisiana Workforce Commission

Appeals Unit

O. Box 94094

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094

Fax:

225 - 342-3112