How to File for Unemployment in Georgia
How to apply for unemployment in Georgia, what you need, and what you must do each week to keep getting benefits.
Short answer: Apply online through the MyUI Claimant Portal (recommended) or in person at a GDOL Career Center. Have your Social Security number, a valid government photo ID, your Employer Separation Notice if you received one, and the names, addresses and dates of employment for all employers in the… Georgia Department of Labor, UI Claimant Handbook (2026)
| How to apply | Apply online through the MyUI Claimant Portal (recommended) or in person at a GDOL Career Center. Have your Social Security number, a valid government photo ID, your Employer Separation Notice if you received one, and the names, addresses and dates of employment for all employers in the last 18 months. Request benefits weekly (Sunday to Saturday weeks) through MyUI starting the Sunday after you apply; you have up to two weeks to request each week. UI Customer Service: 877-709-8185, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
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| Earnings needed to qualify | You must have wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period, at least $1,134 in your 2 highest quarters, and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. If you do not qualify under the regular base period, an alternative base period of the last 4 completed quarters may be used. |
| Work search requirements | Each week you request benefits, complete at least 3 new verifiable work search activities on 3 or more days and submit a Weekly Work Search Record through MyUI; GDOL may audit it. You must also register for employment services with WorkSource Georgia (WorkSourceGAPortal.com) within 10 days of receiving your first benefit payment, unless exempt. After 10 weeks of benefits, you must accept suitable work paying at least 66% of your highest past wage (and at least minimum wage). |
| Logging in and filing weekly claims | Georgia unemployment claimants use the Georgia Department of Labor MyUI Claimant Portal to claim weekly UI benefit payments, choose a benefit payment method and submit their weekly work search. Portal link on the agency page: https://www.dol.state.ga.us/public/uiben/customer/login |
Where to get help in Georgia
More Georgia unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Georgia Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Georgia
- Unemployment After Being Fired in Georgia
- Unemployment After Quitting in Georgia
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Georgia
- All Georgia unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
How do I apply for unemployment in Georgia?
Apply online through the MyUI Claimant Portal (recommended) or in person at a GDOL Career Center. Have your Social Security number, a valid government photo ID, your Employer Separation Notice if you received one, and the names, addresses and dates of employment for all employers in the last 18 months. Request benefits weekly (Sunday to Saturday weeks) through MyUI starting the Sunday after you apply; you have up to two weeks to request each week. UI Customer Service: 877-709-8185, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Georgia?
You must have wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period, at least $1,134 in your 2 highest quarters, and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. If you do not qualify under the regular base period, an alternative base period of the last 4 completed quarters may be used.
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Georgia?
Each week you request benefits, complete at least 3 new verifiable work search activities on 3 or more days and submit a Weekly Work Search Record through MyUI; GDOL may audit it. You must also register for employment services with WorkSource Georgia (WorkSourceGAPortal.com) within 10 days of receiving your first benefit payment, unless exempt. After 10 weeks of benefits, you must accept suitable work paying at least 66% of your highest past wage (and at least minimum wage).
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Georgia?
Georgia unemployment claimants use the Georgia Department of Labor MyUI Claimant Portal to claim weekly UI benefit payments, choose a benefit payment method and submit their weekly work search.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.