Unemployment Compensation

Welcome to the DC Department of Employment Services Unemployment Compensation Program. The District offers two ways to file for unemployment compensation –  via the Internet and the phone. We strongly encourage that customers seeking unemployment benefits do so online for quicker service. To begin the process of filing for your unemployment benefits, you will need to have the following information readily available:

• Your social security number
• Your most recent 30-day employer’s name(s), address(es), phone number(s) and dates of employment
• Your Alien Registration Number, if you are not a US Citizen
• Your DD214, if you are ex-military
• Your Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50, if you are a former federal employee
• Severance pay information (only applicable if you did or will receive severance pay)

EUC Tier 4 Benefits Set To Phase Out Due to Declining Unemployment Rates

The District of Columbia’s Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tier 4 benefits will be phased out beginning on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

The United States Department of Labor has informed DOES that, due to the declining unemployment rate, the Fourth Tier of the federally-funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 program is being discontinued after October 13, 2012. Only those individuals who enter the Fourth Tier of EUC by the week ending October 13, 2012 – prior to the program end – will be eligible to receive Tier 4 benefits.

Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on September 21, 2012, the unemployment rate for the District of Columbia fell below the 9 percent threshold required to maintain eligibility for Tier 4 of the EUC 2008 program.  As a result, the current maximum potential entitlement for the District in the EUC 2008 program will decrease from 47 weeks to 37 weeks. These weeks are in addition to the 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation.  The week ending October 13, 2012, will be the last week in which EUC claimants in the District can exhaust Tier 3 and establish Tier 4 eligibility.  Under the phase-out provisions, claimants who have not established claims in Tier 4 prior to October 13, 2012 will not be eligible to do so. 

DOES will notify claimants about available education and training opportunities and other services to assist in their work search efforts, including ongoing Path2Work/Path2Career Events specifically for those District residents whose Emergency Unemployment Benefits end on Sunday, October 14, 2012.   

Important Annoucement Regarding Work Search Requirements for Unemployment Compensation Benefits

Beginning March 23, 2012, the Department of Employment Services will be enhancing and enforcing strict work search compliance measures as mandated by a recent change in federal law.

Failure to conduct a thorough work search (through seeking and applying for employment) or refusing to accept suitable work will affect your eligibility and may result in a denial of benefits.

DOES verifies work search activities and may ask for evidence of your work search efforts at any time. Protect your eligibility for benefits by keeping a detailed record of your work search. Provide as much information regarding your contacts and applications as possible.

For detailed information regarding work search requirements and how to comply, read the Work Search FAQs [PDF].