* Coronavirus / COVID-19: Unemployment

Resources for the unemployed

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)

Contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security to:

• file unemployment claims
• certify for benefits
• look for work
• report fraud and ID theft related to IDES benefits

To ensure that all applicants can be served, please contact IDES online or by telephone on:

• Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday if your last name begins with A–M 
• Monday, Wednesday, or Friday if your last name begins with N–Z
• Saturday if you are unable to contact/call IDES on your designated day

VISIT illinois.gov/ides

CALL 800-244-563 (7:30 AM–6 PM CT)

Get answers to frequently asked questions

Benefits.gov

This U.S. government resource compiles information for unemployment benefits available in each state. Learn what assistance you're eligible to receive:

VISIT the Benefit Finder (interactive tool)

• Illinois Unemployment Insurance: Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own and who meet Illinois' eligibility requirements.
• healthcare and medical assistance: select Illinois from the "filter by state" drop-down menu
• food and nutrition: select Illinois from the "filter by state" drop-down menu

Careeronestop

Explore careers, training, and jobs at this U.S. Department of Labor website.

VISIT careeronestop.org

Get Hired IL

One-stop shopping for workers at every level and of all backgrounds, including:

• job opportunities (posted by employers)
• unemployment resources
• links to virtual job fairs
• free training opportunities
• free workforce development courses

VISIT www2.illinois.gov/gethired

more information

• "Applying for unemployment benefits for the first time? 7 things you need to know" by Mary Wisniewski, Chicago Tribune
• "Work, coronavirus, and the law FAQs" from Illinois Legal Aid
• "Yes, you can still claim unemployment while working part-time. Here's what you need to know" by Kaitlin Mulhere, Money Magazine