Unemployment After Being Fired in Indiana
Whether you can collect unemployment in Indiana after being fired, what counts as misconduct, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: 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)
| 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. |
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| 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. |
Where to get help in Indiana
More Indiana unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Indiana Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Indiana
- Unemployment After Quitting in Indiana
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Indiana
- How to File for Unemployment in Indiana
- All Indiana unemployment benefits rules
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.
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.
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.