Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment insurance provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. This page provides information for people filing for unemployment. Click here for information for employers.

What's New

• 5/11/2013: Bangor CareerCenter Offers Programs for Job Seekers in May
• 5/11/2013: May Events at the Skowhegan CareerCenter

Before you call the Unemployment Claims Center...

Call volumes at Unemployment Claims Center are very high - the best way to file for benefits or to find out the status of your claim is to use online services for unemployment claimants. To reach the Unemployment Claims Center by phone, call 1-800-593-7660 between 8:00 AM and 4:45 PM Monday through Friday. Please keep in mind that Mondays are high call volume days with 20-30 minute wait times. Wait times drop significantly later in the week.

Online Services File a new unemployment claim or reopen a benefit claim File a weekly unemployment claim Find a new job Look up information about an unemployment claim Appeal a benefit decision Report unemployment fraud   Stay Informed Sign up for updates on your unemployment benefits.

Contacts Unemployment Claims Center: 1-800-593-7660 Other unemployment contacts Information How to file for unemployment Rights and responsiblities for unemployment claimants Frequently asked questions Publications and forms Payment options - direct deposit or debit card Overview of the unemployment insurance program Laws and rules governing unemployment benefits Income tax information (1099G)

Unemployment Programs Available in Maine

• State Unemployment Insurance (UI) - for workers who have lost their job for reasons beyond their control.
• Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) - temporary federal program providing additional weeks of benefits after UI is exhausted. Additional eligibility requirements apply.
• Workshare - for workers at qualified businesses experiencing a temporary slowdown in work.  
• Other special programs - for workers laid-off from the military or Federal Government, people who lost their jobs due to foreign trade and natural disasters, and laid-off workers enrolled in training.