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Important:
Online filing and claims applications will be unavailable every night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for daily claims processing. Thank you for your patience.

In order to process the extremely high volume of unemployment benefit claims due to COVID-19, IDES has implemented the following schedule for those filing claims online and over the phone:

Online Filing Schedule:

  • Those with last names beginning with letters A-M will be asked to file their claims on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays.
  • Those with last names beginning with letters N-Z will be asked to file their claims on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays.
  • Saturdays will be available for anyone to accommodate those who could not file during their allotted window.
Call Center Filing Schedule:
  • Those with last names beginning with letters A-M will be asked to call on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7:30am – 6pm.
  • Those with last names beginning with letters N-Z will be asked to call on Mondays and Wednesdays between 7:30am – 6pm.
  • Fridays (7:30am – 6pm) will be available for anyone to accommodate those who could not file during their allotted window.

The day or time of day in which a claim is filed will not impact whether you receive benefits or your benefit amount. Additionally, claims will be back-dated to reflect the date in which a claimant was laid-off or let go from their job due to COVID-19.

Note: The days in which you can file a claim may be different from the days in which you are asked to certify.

File for Unemployment Insurance

Certify for Weekly Benefits

Information for Employers

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IDES Taking Steps to Address Unprecedented Volume of Unemployment Claims - Improved Processes to Help Streamline Increased Need for Benefits

​3/27/20 - Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced they are taking additional steps to address the unprecedented volume of unemployment benefit claims the department has fielded as a result of COVID-19.

IDES Offices Closed to the Public Until Further Notice

​3/26/20 - The health and safety of our customers and staff are of highest importance. In order to protect everyone through social distancing, IDES offices are closed to the public until further notice. 

You may access IDES services using the following methods:To file an Unemployment Insurance claim, click here.

If you have questions about Unemployment Insurance, please call our Customer Service Center at 800-244-5631 or 866-488-4016 TTY.
To certify for Unemployment Insurance benefits, click here or call Tele-Serve at 312-338-4337 Monday - Friday 5:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
To post your resume, search job postings, or find a job, visit www.illinoisjoblink.com
Unemployment Rate Dropped to New Historic Low in February, While State Sees Significant Increase in Unemployment Claims in March

​​3/26/20 - While the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent, a new record low, the state is responding to a surge of unemployment claims in March due to the impacts of. COVID-19. To this point, March unemployment claims total 133,763 compared to 27,493 over the same period in 2019.

​See more News and Announcements ...​


COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits

3/13/20  - Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible.
FAQ for COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits

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