North Dakota Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply
North Dakota 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 North Dakota
- If you were fired
- If you are fired for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Job Service North Dakota, Unemployment Insurance Claimant Guide, "Misconduct"
- Weekly benefit amount
- Your weekly benefit is roughly the total of your highest two and one-half quarters of base period wages divided by 65. For claims under the July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027 schedule, weekly benefits range from $43 to $800. Job Service North Dakota, Unemployment Benefit Chart, Benefit Schedule 7/5/2026 - 7/3/2027; Claimant Guide, "Monetary Requirements"
- How many weeks
- Benefits last 12 to 26 weeks. The number of weeks depends on your total base period wages divided by your highest quarter: a ratio of 1.50 to 2.29 gives 12 weeks, and a ratio of 3.20 or more gives 26 weeks. Job Service North Dakota, Unemployment Benefit Chart, "Duration"
- How to apply
- File a new claim or reopen a claim online through the UI ICE system at jobsnd.com. Then certify every week online or by the automated phone line at 701-328-4995, reporting all gross earnings. Job Service North Dakota, Unemployment Insurance Claimant Guide
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Who qualifies
| If you were fired | If you are fired for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Examples Job Service lists include violating a posted or known company rule, insubordination, theft, destroying company property and unexcused absences. If you are fired for gross misconduct, you are disqualified for one year. |
|---|---|
| If you quit | If you quit without good cause attributable to your employer, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount. |
| Layoffs and reduced hours | Workers laid off through no fault of their own can apply if they earned enough in their base period and are able to work, available for work and searching for work. If you expect to be recalled by the employer that laid you off, you must be available for that recall. If your hours are cut, you can still certify each week and report your gross earnings; partial benefits may be paid. |
| Earnings needed to qualify | The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. For the July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027 benefit schedule, the lowest amount on the chart requires $2,795 in your highest two and one-half quarters, and your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. You must have worked for an employer covered by North Dakota unemployment insurance. |
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | Each week you certify, you must tell Job Service whether you were self-employed. Report net self-employment income (including farming, ranching and commission earnings) for the week you earned it; if you do not know the exact amount, estimate it using the minimum wage you listed with Job Service times the hours worked (not below the federal minimum wage), then send documentation when you know the actual amount. |
How much and how long
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit is roughly the total of your highest two and one-half quarters of base period wages divided by 65. For claims under the July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027 schedule, weekly benefits range from $43 to $800. The minimum and maximum are set by law and can change each July. Maximum $800 per week, effective for the benefit schedule beginning July 5, 2026. |
|---|---|
| How many weeks | Benefits last 12 to 26 weeks. The number of weeks depends on your total base period wages divided by your highest quarter: a ratio of 1.50 to 2.29 gives 12 weeks, and a ratio of 3.20 or more gives 26 weeks. |
| Waiting week | Yes. You serve one unpaid waiting week per benefit year, usually the first week you file. You must still certify for it and meet all requirements, including job contacts. |
| Working part-time on benefits | You can earn up to 60% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. Each dollar above 60% is subtracted from your benefit. If you earn your full weekly benefit amount or more, nothing is paid that week. You must work all the hours offered to you. |
| Severance and vacation pay | You must report severance pay as your non-monetary determination letter instructs. Lump-sum vacation or sick leave payouts are reported in the week your employer pays them. Pensions, retirement or annuity payments reduce weekly benefits if a base period employer contributed to or maintained the plan. Social Security does not reduce benefits. |
Applying and keeping benefits
| How to apply | File a new claim or reopen a claim online through the UI ICE system at jobsnd.com. Then certify every week online or by the automated phone line at 701-328-4995, reporting all gross earnings. Keep certifying each week without skipping, even while a decision is pending. |
|---|---|
| Work search requirements | Unless you are returning to the employer that laid you off, you must make the number of job contacts Job Service assigns you every week, including the waiting week, starting the week you apply. A contact means applying for a specific job you are qualified for and would accept. Following up on an application or attending an interview does not count. You must also register for work by completing at least one online resume at jobsnd.com. |
| Appealing a denial | You can appeal any determination online through UI ICE or by returning the appeal form or a written appeal by mail, fax (701-328-2728) or in person at a Job Service office. Your appeal must be postmarked or received by the appeal deadline printed on the determination. A hearing is held before an appeals referee. The next steps are a bureau review and then district court. Keep certifying weekly while you appeal. |
| Logging in and filing weekly claims | Job Service North Dakota runs UI ICE (Unemployment Insurance Internet Claims Entry), the online system where you file a claim and certify your weekly eligibility. Job Service says its emails and text messages ask you to log in to your UI ICE account and never include links, so go to the login page directly. Information page: https://www.jobsnd.com/unemployment-individuals |
Where to get help in North Dakota
Unemployment Benefits FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in North Dakota?
If you are fired for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Examples Job Service lists include violating a posted or known company rule, insubordination, theft, destroying company property and unexcused absences. If you are fired for gross misconduct, you are disqualified for one year.
Can you get unemployment if you quit in North Dakota?
If you quit without good cause attributable to your employer, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount.
Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in North Dakota?
Workers laid off through no fault of their own can apply if they earned enough in their base period and are able to work, available for work and searching for work. If you expect to be recalled by the employer that laid you off, you must be available for that recall. If your hours are cut, you can still certify each week and report your gross earnings; partial benefits may be paid.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in North Dakota?
The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. For the July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027 benefit schedule, the lowest amount on the chart requires $2,795 in your highest two and one-half quarters, and your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. You must have worked for an employer covered by North Dakota unemployment insurance.
How much is unemployment in North Dakota?
Your weekly benefit is roughly the total of your highest two and one-half quarters of base period wages divided by 65. For claims under the July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027 schedule, weekly benefits range from $43 to $800. The minimum and maximum are set by law and can change each July.
How long can you get unemployment in North Dakota?
Benefits last 12 to 26 weeks. The number of weeks depends on your total base period wages divided by your highest quarter: a ratio of 1.50 to 2.29 gives 12 weeks, and a ratio of 3.20 or more gives 26 weeks.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in North Dakota?
Yes. You serve one unpaid waiting week per benefit year, usually the first week you file. You must still certify for it and meet all requirements, including job contacts.
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in North Dakota?
Unless you are returning to the employer that laid you off, you must make the number of job contacts Job Service assigns you every week, including the waiting week, starting the week you apply. A contact means applying for a specific job you are qualified for and would accept. Following up on an application or attending an interview does not count. You must also register for work by completing at least one online resume at jobsnd.com.
Does severance pay affect unemployment in North Dakota?
You must report severance pay as your non-monetary determination letter instructs. Lump-sum vacation or sick leave payouts are reported in the week your employer pays them. Pensions, retirement or annuity payments reduce weekly benefits if a base period employer contributed to or maintained the plan. Social Security does not reduce benefits.
How do I apply for unemployment in North Dakota?
File a new claim or reopen a claim online through the UI ICE system at jobsnd.com. Then certify every week online or by the automated phone line at 701-328-4995, reporting all gross earnings. Keep certifying each week without skipping, even while a decision is pending.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in North Dakota?
You can appeal any determination online through UI ICE or by returning the appeal form or a written appeal by mail, fax (701-328-2728) or in person at a Job Service office. Your appeal must be postmarked or received by the appeal deadline printed on the determination. A hearing is held before an appeals referee. The next steps are a bureau review and then district court. Keep certifying weekly while you appeal.
Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in North Dakota?
You can earn up to 60% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. Each dollar above 60% is subtracted from your benefit. If you earn your full weekly benefit amount or more, nothing is paid that week. You must work all the hours offered to you.
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in North Dakota?
Each week you certify, you must tell Job Service whether you were self-employed. Report net self-employment income (including farming, ranching and commission earnings) for the week you earned it; if you do not know the exact amount, estimate it using the minimum wage you listed with Job Service times the hours worked (not below the federal minimum wage), then send documentation when you know the actual amount.
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in North Dakota?
Job Service North Dakota runs UI ICE (Unemployment Insurance Internet Claims Entry), the online system where you file a claim and certify your weekly eligibility. Job Service says its emails and text messages ask you to log in to your UI ICE account and never include links, so go to the login page directly.
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