Maine Dept. of Labor Launches Online Chatbot for Unemployment Insurance Questions

May 13, 2022

For Immediate Release: May 13, 2022

Maine Dept. of Labor Launches Online Chatbot for Unemployment Insurance Questions

'Blue,' the Blueberry is able to reset passwords, check claim status, and answer common questions

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor has launched a new online tool for unemployment insurance claimants to assist them in navigating the claim process and ReEmployME system.

Through a new automated chatbot named Blue the Blueberry, after Maine's state berry and vital industry, claimants can securely reset their system password and check their claim status, as well as ask general questions about how to file for unemployment benefits, weekly claims, and other related topics.

"This is an exciting additional way for laid off workers to learn more about the unemployment insurance process, and for claimants to get updates in a secure, timely way," Commissioner Laura Fortman said. "Unemployment insurance claims are back to pre-pandemic patterns, with about 3,900 people receiving an unemployment insurance payment during the week ending May 7. We continue to enhance our services to make it as user-centered and intuitive as possible."

The chatbot is designed to think and respond in a user-friendly manner, providing resources, contact information, and answers to frequently asked unemployment questions based on the questions submitted. The chatbot's features will expand over time based on the needs and feedback of claimants.

Blue can be accessed on the Maine Department of Labor's unemployment webpage: https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/

Those with questions about unemployment insurance can also contact the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation at 1-800-593-7660 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, or by leaving a message online at https://www.maine.gov/labor/contact/index.html.