How to File for Unemployment in Alabama

Alabama's unemployment claims are handled by the Alabama Department of Labor, and almost everyone starts and manages a claim through the Claimant Portal rather than in person. A distinctive wrinkle here is that identity verification asks for your mother's maiden name in addition to a driver's license or state ID number, so have that ready before you start.

Updated July 2026

1. 1

   Confirm you're eligible

   You generally qualify if you lost your job through no fault of your own and earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, with total base-period earnings at least 1.5 times your highest quarter.

2. 2

   Gather your documents

   Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your mother's maiden name (used for identity verification), and your most recent employer's name, address, and employment dates.

3. 3

   File your initial claim online or by phone

   Apply through the Claimant Portal at uiclaimantportal.labor.alabama.gov, or call the Initial Claims Line at 1-866-234-5382 (option 2) between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Alabama recommends not using a cell phone for the call since dropped calls can lose your saved data.

4. 4

   Wait for your monetary determination

   The day after you file, Alabama mails you a monetary determination showing your base-period wages by employer and your weekly benefit amount, which ranges from $45 to $275.

5. 5

   File your weekly certification

   Once your claim is active, certify weekly through the Claimant Portal or by calling your local weekly certification line (Montgomery, Birmingham, or the toll-free number) to keep payments coming.

Verified against the official Alabama unemployment agency site. View source