Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

You are not eligible if you were discharged for employment misconduct: intentional, negligent or indifferent conduct that seriously violates the standards of behavior an employer can reasonably expect. Examples include continued unexcused absences or tardiness, drug or alcohol use on the job, breaking company rules, insubordination, theft, fighting or harassment. Being fired for illness with proper notice, inability to meet performance standards, inefficiency, or honest mistakes usually does not disqualify you. For aggravated misconduct (an act that would be a gross misdemeanor or felony with a significant effect on the job), wages from that employer are removed from your account. To become eligible again, you must earn at least $1,950 in new covered work and then lose that job through no fault of your own.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

If you quit, you are not eligible unless an exception applies, such as: a good reason caused by the employer that would make an average reasonable worker quit; quitting to accept better employment; your serious illness or injury, or caring for an ill or disabled immediate family member; quitting unsuitable work within the first 30 days; quitting after being told you will be laid off within 30 days; domestic abuse of you or your minor child; loss of child care despite reasonable efforts to replace it; or your spouse's job relocating.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Workers laid off through no fault of their own can qualify if they have enough base period wages. You can get partial benefits in weeks when you work fewer than 32 hours and earn less than your weekly benefit amount.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

To establish a benefit account, your base period wage credits must total at least 5.3% of the state's average annual wage, rounded down to the next lower $100.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Your weekly benefit is about 50% of your average weekly wage: the higher of half your average weekly base period wage (capped at 66-2/3% of the state average weekly wage) or half your average weekly high-quarter wage (capped at 43% of the state average weekly wage). For benefit accounts effective October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026, the state maximum is $948 per week.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

The maximum total benefits are the lower of one-third of your base period wage credits or 26 times your weekly benefit amount (up to 26 weeks).

Question 7

Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Minnesota law requires one nonpayable week, the first week you are eligible. You must request payment for it. You have only one nonpayable week in the 52 weeks after you apply.

Question 8

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

You must actively seek suitable employment every week you request benefits and be willing to accept the hours, wages and commuting distance normal for your occupation. Activities that count include applying at employers, sending resumes, calling employers to arrange interviews, job search classes or workshops, career counseling, networking, using online job banks and attending a Reemployment Session at CareerForce. If your benefits are based on part-time work, you can limit your search to part-time work. Referral union members meet the requirement by staying in good standing with the union.

Question 9

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Severance, pay in lieu of notice, retention pay and other separation payments make you ineligible for the number of weeks of regular pay they represent. Vacation pay is not deducted after a permanent separation but is fully deducted during a temporary layoff. Holiday pay is deducted at 50% for the week of the holiday. A monthly pension from a base period employer reduces benefits dollar for dollar. These payments delay benefits but do not reduce the total amount available.

Question 10

How do I apply for unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Apply online at ui.mn.gov or by phone. Request a benefit payment for each week you are unemployed, online Sunday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., or by phone on the day assigned by the last digit of your Social Security number. Keep requesting payments even while eligibility or an appeal is pending. The soonest you will be paid is usually the third week after your account is established.

Question 11

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

A determination is final unless you appeal within 45 calendar days after it is sent. File online, by mail or by fax as explained on the determination. Hearings are held by telephone with an Unemployment Law Judge. You can request reconsideration of the judge's decision within 45 calendar days of its mail date, and then go to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Keep requesting weekly payments while you wait.

Question 12

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Report all hours and gross earnings for the week you did the work. 50% of your earnings is deducted from your weekly benefit amount. You are not eligible for any week in which you work 32 hours or more, or earn as much as or more than your weekly benefit amount.

Question 13

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility while doing self-employment is decided week by week. For a week to qualify, you must work less than 32 hours (counting employment, self-employment and volunteer work together) and earn less than your weekly benefit amount; look for a job as an employee (seeking clients for your business does not count); and be willing to rearrange or quit self-employment if it gets in the way of accepting a job. Each week you must report the hours you worked in self-employment and your net earnings, deducting only expenses unique to the self-employment.

Question 14

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (Department of Employment and Economic Development) uses the Applicant Self-Service System. Log in to your account to request benefit payments on your scheduled request dates, see pending issues and print your payment history.

If you were fired	You are not eligible if you were discharged for employment misconduct: intentional, negligent or indifferent conduct that seriously violates the standards of behavior an employer can reasonably expect. Examples include continued unexcused absences or tardiness, drug or alcohol use on the job, breaking company rules, insubordination, theft, fighting or harassment. Being fired for illness with proper notice, inability to meet performance standards, inefficiency, or honest mistakes usually does not disqualify you. For aggravated misconduct (an act that would be a gross misdemeanor or felony with a significant effect on the job), wages from that employer are removed from your account. To become eligible again, you must earn at least $1,950 in new covered work and then lose that job through no fault of your own. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Reason you are unemployed
If you quit	If you quit, you are not eligible unless an exception applies, such as: a good reason caused by the employer that would make an average reasonable worker quit; quitting to accept better employment; your serious illness or injury, or caring for an ill or disabled immediate family member; quitting unsuitable work within the first 30 days; quitting after being told you will be laid off within 30 days; domestic abuse of you or your minor child; loss of child care despite reasonable efforts to replace it; or your spouse's job relocating. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Reason you are unemployed
Layoffs and reduced hours	Workers laid off through no fault of their own can qualify if they have enough base period wages. You can get partial benefits in weeks when you work fewer than 32 hours and earn less than your weekly benefit amount. Source: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook (October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026)
Earnings needed to qualify	To establish a benefit account, your base period wage credits must total at least 5.3% of the state's average annual wage, rounded down to the next lower $100. The current dollar amount was not stated on the agency pages read. Source: Minn. Stat. § 268.07, subd. 2
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	Eligibility while doing self-employment is decided week by week. For a week to qualify, you must work less than 32 hours (counting employment, self-employment and volunteer work together) and earn less than your weekly benefit amount; look for a job as an employee (seeking clients for your business does not count); and be willing to rearrange or quit self-employment if it gets in the way of accepting a job. Each week you must report the hours you worked in self-employment and your net earnings, deducting only expenses unique to the self-employment. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Self-employment (applicants)

Weekly benefit amount	Your weekly benefit is about 50% of your average weekly wage: the higher of half your average weekly base period wage (capped at 66-2/3% of the state average weekly wage) or half your average weekly high-quarter wage (capped at 43% of the state average weekly wage). For benefit accounts effective October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026, the state maximum is $948 per week. The maximum is reset for accounts established on or after the last Sunday in October each year; the figure for accounts starting October 25, 2026 had not been posted by the agency when checked. Your weekly amount stays the same for the life of your account. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Information Handbook, After you apply; Minn. Stat. § 268.07, subd. 2a
How many weeks	The maximum total benefits are the lower of one-third of your base period wage credits or 26 times your weekly benefit amount (up to 26 weeks). Source: Minn. Stat. § 268.07, subd. 2a(c)
Waiting week	Yes. Minnesota law requires one nonpayable week, the first week you are eligible. You must request payment for it. You have only one nonpayable week in the 52 weeks after you apply. Source: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook, Nonpayable week
Working part-time on benefits	Report all hours and gross earnings for the week you did the work. 50% of your earnings is deducted from your weekly benefit amount. You are not eligible for any week in which you work 32 hours or more, or earn as much as or more than your weekly benefit amount. Source: Minn. Stat. § 268.085, subds. 2 and 5; Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook
Severance and vacation pay	Severance, pay in lieu of notice, retention pay and other separation payments make you ineligible for the number of weeks of regular pay they represent. Vacation pay is not deducted after a permanent separation but is fully deducted during a temporary layoff. Holiday pay is deducted at 50% for the week of the holiday. A monthly pension from a base period employer reduces benefits dollar for dollar. These payments delay benefits but do not reduce the total amount available. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Other income

How to apply	Apply online at ui.mn.gov or by phone. Request a benefit payment for each week you are unemployed, online Sunday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., or by phone on the day assigned by the last digit of your Social Security number. Keep requesting payments even while eligibility or an appeal is pending. The soonest you will be paid is usually the third week after your account is established. Source: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook (October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026)
Work search requirements	You must actively seek suitable employment every week you request benefits and be willing to accept the hours, wages and commuting distance normal for your occupation. Activities that count include applying at employers, sending resumes, calling employers to arrange interviews, job search classes or workshops, career counseling, networking, using online job banks and attending a Reemployment Session at CareerForce. If your benefits are based on part-time work, you can limit your search to part-time work. Referral union members meet the requirement by staying in good standing with the union. The agency does not set a fixed number of contacts per week. Source: Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Seeking suitable employment
Appealing a denial	A determination is final unless you appeal within 45 calendar days after it is sent. File online, by mail or by fax as explained on the determination. Hearings are held by telephone with an Unemployment Law Judge. You can request reconsideration of the judge's decision within 45 calendar days of its mail date, and then go to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Keep requesting weekly payments while you wait. Source: Minn. Stat. § 268.101, subd. 2(f); Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, How do I appeal?
Logging in and filing weekly claims	Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (Department of Employment and Economic Development) uses the Applicant Self-Service System. Log in to your account to request benefit payments on your scheduled request dates, see pending issues and print your payment history. Applicant login: https://www1.ui.mn.gov/ui_applicant/ui/applicant/login Source: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance, Applicants

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