UI
Unemployment Office Locations

How to File for Unemployment in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance handles claims through an Unemployment Services for Workers account tied to MyMassGov, and gives claimants a dedicated TeleCert phone line just for weekly certifications, separate from its general call center.

Updated July 2026

What You'll Need

✓ Social Security number ✓ Driver's license or state ID number ✓ Bank account and routing number for direct deposit ✓ Employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates, separation reasons) ✓ DD-214 (if you served in the military) ✓ SF-50 and SF-8 (if you were a federal employee)
  1. 1

    Review eligibility first

    Check DUA's eligibility rules before applying, since being fired for cause or quitting without good reason can affect your claim.

  2. 2

    Pull together your records

    You'll need your SSN, birth date, contact info, driver's license or state ID, direct deposit details, and full employment history — including a recall date if you expect to be called back to your old job.

  3. 3

    Log in or create a MyMassGov account

    Sign up for Unemployment Services for Workers, then select 'File an unemployment insurance claim' from your dashboard to start the application, or 'Reopen your unemployment insurance claim' if you've filed before.

  4. 4

    Call if you get stuck

    The DUA Call Center is (877) 626-6800, open Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (it's closed Fridays so staff can process claims), and multilingual agents are available.

  5. 5

    File weekly certifications

    Once your claim is active, request your weekly benefits online or through the dedicated TeleCert line at (617) 626-6338, available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

File Your Claim

File Online ☎ (877) 626-6800

Verified against the official Massachusetts unemployment agency site. View source

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