Indiana Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply
Indiana unemployment: can you get benefits if fired or you quit, weekly benefit amounts, how many weeks, work search rules, how to apply and appeal.
Quick answers for Indiana
- If you were fired
- You may be denied benefits if you were discharged for just cause. Examples DWD lists include giving false information on a job application, knowingly breaking an employer's rules, unexcused absence or tardiness, purposely damaging the employer's property, refusing to obey instructions… Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Claimant Handbook (July 2026)
- Weekly benefit amount
- Your weekly benefit is your total base period wages divided by 52, multiplied by 0.47, rounded down to the dollar. For example, $30,000 in base period wages gives $271 a week. The maximum weekly benefit is $390, set by Indiana law. Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Claimant Handbook (July 2026)
- How many weeks
- Up to 26 weeks, or until you reach your maximum benefit amount, which is 26 times your weekly benefit amount. The benefit year is 52 weeks from the week you file. Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Claimant Handbook (July 2026)
- How to apply
- File online at DWD: Indiana Unemployment or at any WorkOne center. Have your address, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and your last employer's name, address, phone, dates of employment and reason you are unemployed (bring a recent pay stub). Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Claimant Handbook (July 2026)
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Who qualifies
| If you were fired | You may be denied benefits if you were discharged for just cause. Examples DWD lists include giving false information on a job application, knowingly breaking an employer's rules, unexcused absence or tardiness, purposely damaging the employer's property, refusing to obey instructions, reporting to work intoxicated or using drugs or alcohol at work without permission, conduct that threatens others' safety, conviction and imprisonment for a serious crime, and breach of a duty owed to the employer. If the employer cannot show just cause, no penalty is imposed. Being suspended for work-related misconduct also makes you ineligible. |
|---|---|
| If you quit | If you quit without good, work-related reasons, you may not qualify. Good reasons include, but are not limited to: your employer unreasonably changing the terms or conditions of your work, safety violations at your work site, harassment, domestic or family violence, moving to follow a spouse who took a new job, and military service. Accepting payment in exchange for voluntarily resigning or retiring is not a good reason. |
| Layoffs and reduced hours | You may qualify for partial benefits if your employer reduces your hours to less than your regular full-time week, or if you take a part-time job and earn less than your weekly benefit amount. People working full time, on-call workers who are paid or refuse work in a week, and workers in a short-term shutdown or vacation period (paid or unpaid) are not considered unemployed. |
| Earnings needed to qualify | Your total base period wages must be at least $4,200, with at least $2,500 earned in the last six months of the base period, and must equal at least 1.5 times your wages in the highest quarter. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. |
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | Each week you claim, you must report all work, earnings and self-employment activity, even if you have not been paid yet. Self-employment wages earned in any state must be reported, and DWD cross-checks records in Indiana and other states. |
How much and how long
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit is your total base period wages divided by 52, multiplied by 0.47, rounded down to the dollar. For example, $30,000 in base period wages gives $271 a week. The maximum weekly benefit is $390, set by Indiana law. The U.S. Department of Labor's July 2026 summary of state laws lists Indiana at $37 to $390. |
|---|---|
| How many weeks | Up to 26 weeks, or until you reach your maximum benefit amount, which is 26 times your weekly benefit amount. The benefit year is 52 weeks from the week you file. Emergency extensions may be offered during periods of high unemployment. |
| Waiting week | Yes. There is a one-week unpaid waiting period after you file your initial claim. You must file an on-time voucher for it and report any wages earned that week. |
| Working part-time on benefits | Report all wages for the week you earn them. Earnings above $100 in a week are deducted dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit. For example, with a $200 benefit, earning $130 reduces your payment to $170. You do not qualify for any week you work full time, even if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount. |
| Severance and vacation pay | Severance or dismissal pay is deducted from benefits; this includes sub pay and private unemployment benefits paid after you sign a release of claims. Any distribution from a pension, retirement or annuity plan is deducted dollar for dollar, except that for decisions made on or after July 2, 2023 affecting weeks on or after July 8, 2023, there is no deduction if you contributed to the plan. Hardship exceptions may apply. |
Applying and keeping benefits
| How to apply | File online at DWD: Indiana Unemployment or at any WorkOne center. Have your address, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and your last employer's name, address, phone, dates of employment and reason you are unemployed (bring a recent pay stub). Submit a claim voucher every week (Sunday to Saturday weeks), starting Sunday, by 8:59 p.m. Eastern on Saturday; late vouchers are not accepted. Contact Center: 1-800-891-6499. |
|---|---|
| Work search requirements | Register for work on IndianaCAREERconnect.com and complete at least two work search activities every week you file a claim, such as applying for jobs, contacting employers with openings, interviewing, attending job fairs or WorkOne workshops, or creating a resume. Keep a log of your work search activities for six months and show it when DWD asks. After your 4th week of benefits, you must visit your local WorkOne for a review of your work search records. During weeks 5 to 8 you must accept suitable work paying at least 90% of your previous wage, and after 8 weeks at least 80%. |
| Appealing a denial | Appeal within 15 days of the date the Determination of Eligibility was sent. File online in the Issue History section of your Uplink Claimant Self-Service (CSS) account by selecting File Appeal, or by fax to (317) 233-6888; appeals go to the UI Appeals Division and are heard by an Administrative Law Judge. Keep filing vouchers and doing work searches while the appeal is pending. |
| Logging in and filing weekly claims | Indiana unemployment claimants use Uplink Claimant Self-Service (Indiana Department of Workforce Development) to manage their claim; DWD's Claimant Handbook and video tutorials explain filing, and an Unemployment Benefits Dashboard and FAQ are linked from the same page. Uplink login linked from the page: https://uplink.in.gov/CSS/CSSLogon.htm |
Where to get help in Indiana
Unemployment Benefits FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Indiana?
You may be denied benefits if you were discharged for just cause. Examples DWD lists include giving false information on a job application, knowingly breaking an employer's rules, unexcused absence or tardiness, purposely damaging the employer's property, refusing to obey instructions, reporting to work intoxicated or using drugs or alcohol at work without permission, conduct that threatens others' safety, conviction and imprisonment for a serious crime, and breach of a duty owed to the employer. If the employer cannot show just cause, no penalty is imposed. Being suspended for work-related misconduct also makes you ineligible.
Can you get unemployment if you quit in Indiana?
If you quit without good, work-related reasons, you may not qualify. Good reasons include, but are not limited to: your employer unreasonably changing the terms or conditions of your work, safety violations at your work site, harassment, domestic or family violence, moving to follow a spouse who took a new job, and military service. Accepting payment in exchange for voluntarily resigning or retiring is not a good reason.
Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Indiana?
You may qualify for partial benefits if your employer reduces your hours to less than your regular full-time week, or if you take a part-time job and earn less than your weekly benefit amount. People working full time, on-call workers who are paid or refuse work in a week, and workers in a short-term shutdown or vacation period (paid or unpaid) are not considered unemployed.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Indiana?
Your total base period wages must be at least $4,200, with at least $2,500 earned in the last six months of the base period, and must equal at least 1.5 times your wages in the highest quarter. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
How much is unemployment in Indiana?
Your weekly benefit is your total base period wages divided by 52, multiplied by 0.47, rounded down to the dollar. For example, $30,000 in base period wages gives $271 a week. The maximum weekly benefit is $390, set by Indiana law.
How long can you get unemployment in Indiana?
Up to 26 weeks, or until you reach your maximum benefit amount, which is 26 times your weekly benefit amount. The benefit year is 52 weeks from the week you file. Emergency extensions may be offered during periods of high unemployment.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Indiana?
Yes. There is a one-week unpaid waiting period after you file your initial claim. You must file an on-time voucher for it and report any wages earned that week.
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Indiana?
Register for work on IndianaCAREERconnect.com and complete at least two work search activities every week you file a claim, such as applying for jobs, contacting employers with openings, interviewing, attending job fairs or WorkOne workshops, or creating a resume. Keep a log of your work search activities for six months and show it when DWD asks. After your 4th week of benefits, you must visit your local WorkOne for a review of your work search records. During weeks 5 to 8 you must accept suitable work paying at least 90% of your previous wage, and after 8 weeks at least 80%.
Does severance pay affect unemployment in Indiana?
Severance or dismissal pay is deducted from benefits; this includes sub pay and private unemployment benefits paid after you sign a release of claims. Any distribution from a pension, retirement or annuity plan is deducted dollar for dollar, except that for decisions made on or after July 2, 2023 affecting weeks on or after July 8, 2023, there is no deduction if you contributed to the plan. Hardship exceptions may apply.
How do I apply for unemployment in Indiana?
File online at DWD: Indiana Unemployment or at any WorkOne center. Have your address, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and your last employer's name, address, phone, dates of employment and reason you are unemployed (bring a recent pay stub). Submit a claim voucher every week (Sunday to Saturday weeks), starting Sunday, by 8:59 p.m. Eastern on Saturday; late vouchers are not accepted. Contact Center: 1-800-891-6499.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Indiana?
Appeal within 15 days of the date the Determination of Eligibility was sent. File online in the Issue History section of your Uplink Claimant Self-Service (CSS) account by selecting File Appeal, or by fax to (317) 233-6888; appeals go to the UI Appeals Division and are heard by an Administrative Law Judge. Keep filing vouchers and doing work searches while the appeal is pending.
Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Indiana?
Report all wages for the week you earn them. Earnings above $100 in a week are deducted dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit. For example, with a $200 benefit, earning $130 reduces your payment to $170. You do not qualify for any week you work full time, even if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount.
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Indiana?
Each week you claim, you must report all work, earnings and self-employment activity, even if you have not been paid yet. Self-employment wages earned in any state must be reported, and DWD cross-checks records in Indiana and other states.
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Indiana?
Indiana unemployment claimants use Uplink Claimant Self-Service (Indiana Department of Workforce Development) to manage their claim; DWD's Claimant Handbook and video tutorials explain filing, and an Unemployment Benefits Dashboard and FAQ are linked from the same page.
Unemployment Benefits in other states
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