Filing an Unemployment Claim - North Dakota
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You must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own, and you must have made sufficient wages in your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the week in which you file your application for benefits). You must have worked a job where your employer paid unemployment insurance tax on your wages. Also, you must be able and available for full-time work.
You can apply online, or over the phone by calling 1-701-328-4995.
Your approximate weekly benefit amount will be the total of your highest two and one-half quarters of base period earnings divided by 65. The maximum and the minimum benefit amounts are determined by law and are subject to change each July. You can review the Unemployment Benefits Estimator on the North Dakota Unemployment page.
The total number of weeks you can receive benefits ranges from 12 to 26 weeks. This duration is calculated by dividing the total number of wages in your base period by your highest quarter.
You must continue to file weekly online or by phone and respond to information requests by designated deadlines. Also, you must continue to be able and available for full-time work. You must actively seek employment, while keeping a record of your work search activities using the Job Contacts Record. To actively search for work, you must make a minimum of four job contacts each week (or the number assigned to you). You also have to keep your resume updated on the Job Service North Dakota portal. Finally, you must accept suitable work.
Your appeal rights and time limits are explained in each determination you receive from Job Service North Dakota. You must file your appeal within the time limit specified on the determination or you may lose your right to appeal. You may file your appeal using the unemployment insurance online system, UI ICE, or complete and return the appeal form included with your determination via mail or fax. Your appeal must be postmarked or received on or before the appeal period date specified on your determination. Also, you must keep filing your weekly claims regularly because you will only be paid for weeks you filed if you win your appeal.
