District of Columbia Unemployment Insurance

Am I Eligible?

You must

• made at least $1,300 in wages in one quarter of the base period;
• have wages in at least two quarters of the base period;
• have earned at least $1,950 in wages for the entire base period; and
• ensure that the total amount you earned during the base period must be at least one and a half (1.5) times the wages in your highest quarter or be within $70 of that amount.

What do I need to file my claim?

• Social security number
• Most recent employer’s name, address, phone number, and dates of employment
• Alien Registration Number, if you are not a US Citizen
• DD214, if you are ex-military
• Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50, if you are a former federal employee
• Severance pay information (only applicable if you did or will receive severance pay)
• Pension information (only applicable if you are receiving a pension payment)
• Evidence of a public health emergency impact (if applying due to the COVID-19 public health emergency). Documentation may include:
• A letter documenting a voluntary request or involuntary order to isolate or quarantine from a doctor or local health official
• A note from your doctor or medical records office recommending isolation or quarantine
• A self-determination that the Department of Health’s quarantine guidance applies to you

How to apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

File Online

• Go to the website and click the tab “Claim Unemployment Benefits.”
• On the “Unemployment Insurance Service Center for Claimants” page, click “File for Benefits.”
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “File Your Claim Online.”
• Answer the questions with accurate information to complete the claim filing process.

For more information, read the FAQs to know more about how to file for a claim in the District of Columbia.