[Background image: Picture of Carly, a Customer Service Representative]
[Narrator speaks]
Hi, I'm Carly, a Customer Service Representative for the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program.
In this video, I'll walk you through the online application for unemployment benefits, and highlight some of the key questions you'll answer.
Filling out the application is how you tell us that you're unemployed and why you left your last job. You should complete the application as soon as you're unemployed or your hours are greatly reduced.
[Narrator speaks]
The online application is available Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
It usually takes about 15 minutes to complete, but it may take longer if we need more information.
You should plan to start your application by at least 5:30 so you can complete it by 6:00 P.M.
[Narrator speaks]
Although the process for completing the application is similar for everyone, there can be a few differences based on your employment history. In this video, I'll cover the main steps, which are...
Logging in
Selecting the types of employment you've had
Creating your password and security question
Adding contact, banking, and demographic information
Telling us about your work history during the last 18 months
Providing other eligibility information
And confirming and submitting the application.
[Background images: Screenshots of the www.uimn.org home page, Applicant Landing page, and Applicant Self-Service System Login page are displayed as mentioned in narration.]
[Narrator speaks]
The easiest way to get started is to go to www.uimn.org, click Applicants, and then click Apply for Benefits.
This takes you to the login page.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Login page.]
[Narrator speaks]
If you've never had an account before, just enter your Social Security number in the New Applicants box and click START.
If you've had an account in the last few years, use the Existing Applicants box to enter your Social Security number and Password and click Login.
If you had an account, but forgot your password, don't guess, or you may lock yourself out of your account.
Just check the box labeled "Forgot your password." You'll be taken through the steps to reset your password. You will then be guided to either reactivate your account or apply for a new one.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Types of Employment page.]
[Narrator speaks]
The first set of questions you'll be asked helps YOU tell US what types of employment you've had during the last 18 months.
After you've answered all the questions, click Next.
[Background images: Applicant Self-Service System Applicant Authentication page and Assign Password page.]
[Narrator speaks]
On the next few pages, you'll enter your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and drivers' license information. This information will be used to verify your identity, so enter it carefully.
You'll also be asked to create a password and an answer to your security question. Select a password that's easy for you to remember and that only you know.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System General Information - Contact Information page.]
[Narrator speaks]
Next, you'll be asked for contact information: your address, phone numbers, and email address (if you have one). After you enter your address, it may be changed slightly to meet US Postal Service standards.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Demographic Information page.]
[Narrator speaks]
After you complete the contact information, you'll be asked for some general information about your background that we use only for statistical purposes.
In addition, if you are not a US citizen, you'll be asked to provide your work authorization information.
[Background images: Applicant Self-Service System General Information - Work Information page, and Describe your work page.]
[Narrator speaks]
Next we'll ask a few questions about your usual occupation.
We'll ask if you are a member of a "hiring hall union." Hiring hall unions are unions that directly place their members in jobs. Most unions in Minnesota are not hiring hall unions.
We also need to know if your usual job is seasonal and if you have a definite recall date to your last job.
Finally, we'll guide you through several steps to help you identify your usual occupation and the number of years you have worked in it.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Payment Method page.]
[Narrator speaks]
Next, we'll ask how you would like to receive your benefit payments. There are two choices: debit card or direct deposit. Most people find that direct deposit is the most convenient way to get paid.
To have your benefits paid by direct deposit, select direct deposit and then enter your routing and bank account numbers.
You can click the Routing Transit Number link for more information about where to find your routing or bank account number.
If you'd like to use the debit card instead, select that payment method - you do not need to enter bank information.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Tax Withholding page.]
[Narrator speaks]
After you select your payment method, you need to tell us whether you would like taxes withheld from any unemployment insurance benefits that you receive. Unemployment benefits are taxable income under both federal and Minnesota law.
You can decide to have both federal and state tax withheld, just federal, or no tax withholding at all. Select the choice that's right for your personal situation.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Payment Method page.]
[Narrator speaks]
After you select a payment method, we'll start collecting information about your employment history. There are two steps to this process, starting with the employment we already know about.
We don't need to know your entire work history-just the last 18 months. At the top of the page, you'll see the period of time we're interested in.
Review the list of employers and note any that are missing. You will be able to add any missing employers shortly. Click Next when you are done reviewing this list.
[Background images: Applicant Self-Service System Employment Information pages.]
[Narrator speaks]
After you review the employment we know about, we'll ask some questions about that employment.
You'll answer a set of questions for each employer you had. Your employer will be asked similar questions and we will compare your answers when your employer responds.
In some cases, the questions can be quite detailed. Read each question carefully and answer the best you can. The questions are designed to help YOU tell US what happened.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Additional and Complete Employment page.]
[Narrator speaks]
If you noticed employers were missing from the original list, including your most recent employer you can add them now. Remember, we are only interested in the last 18 months.
At the top of the page you'll see the period of time for which we need your employment history. Below that you'll see the list of the employers you've already dealt with.
If the list of employers is complete, click the button at the bottom of the page labeled "Click Here After All Employers Are Entered."
To add a missing employer, click the Add button that describes the type of employment. You can then answer the necessary questions about that type of employer.
If several employers are missing, you can come back to this page as many times as you need to.
Once you're certain all your employers are listed, click the button at the bottom of the page to indicate that all employers are entered.
[Narrator speaks]
For each employer you add, we'll ask a set of questions to help us understand when you worked for that employer and why you are no longer working for them.
Be complete in your answers, but plan to complete each page in less than 30 minutes to avoid being automatically logged out.
[Screen text: Other eligibility information]
After all your employment information is complete, we'll ask a few more questions about other sources of income, your availability to start work, and if you have refused any jobs recently.
Depending on your answers, we may ask you a few more questions to help us understand your situation.
[Background image: Applicant Self-Service System Review and Edit Contents page and Benefit Application Confirmation page.]
[Narrator speaks]
The last part of the application allows you to review all the questions we've asked, along with your answers.
It's a good idea to scan through the questions and answers just to make sure you haven't made any mistakes. If you do need to correct an answer, click the Modify button for that section of the application.
You can then correct your answer. To submit your application, you must click through each page until you get back to the review page.
When you're satisfied with your answers, re-enter your Social Security number and click the button labeled Submit the Unemployment Benefit Application.
You'll then see a Confirmation page that shows you the time and date you completed your application, along with your potential weekly and maximum benefit amounts.
It will also show when you are scheduled to make your first weekly payment request.
[Narrator speaks]
After you complete the application, you can begin using your online account. Just log in using your Social Security number and the password you just created.
You can use your account to request weekly benefits, keep your contact information updated, check your balance, and answer any additional questions that we might have.
[Narrator speaks]
I hope you found this video helpful in understanding how to apply for benefits online. Here are some reminders...
You can apply online Monday through Friday between 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.
Start your application by 5:30 P.M. at the latest, so that you finish before 6:00.
Enter your identification information, password, and security answer carefully.
Make sure you add all of the employers you've had in the last 18 months.
If you have questions, call Customer Service or check out our website.
[Narrator speaks]
Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. Here are some additional resources you might be interested in.
[Screen text: Apply Online Now | Apply by automated phone: 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities area), 1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota), 1-866-814-1252 (TTY for the hearing impaired) | Links for more information: Application Process, Information Handbook, Request Benefit Payments, Video Library]
