Filing for unemployment in Massachusetts: What you need to know

BOSTON — Over 19,000 unemployed workers in Massachusetts filed for unemployment Monday alone and that number is climbing. On Wednesday, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill into law to speed up payments to those unemployed amid the coronavirus outbreak.

For many, navigating the process to apply for unemployment is new and frustrating. Here’s what you need to know:

Many unemployment offices are currently closed to the public so if you have to file, grab your phone or computer to get started.

As soon as you get to Mass.gov, the state’s labor portion of the website will direct you to the unemployment insurance claimant login page. Fill out the personal information starting with your social security number, followed by your work history.

According to the state, you should apply for unemployment benefits during your first week of total or partial unemployment. Most claims are processed within 21-28 days after filing. It may take longer if there is an issue with your claim.

Download the state’s unemployment handbook here.

You can find the most recent previous week initial claims data for MA here.

According to the State Dept. of Labor, "due to the increased demands on the unemployment system, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) is deploying additional non-core employees remotely from across the secretariat to work on training and scaling capabilities for staff to work with the additional claimants.

EOLWD also created a new COVID-19 workforce specific web page that includes the latest guidance for employee qualifications and additional resources like contact forms and a COVID-19 specific unemployment claim handbook. That can be viewed here."

The quickest way to file a COVID-19 related claim successfully is through the UI online portal which can be viewed here.

>> Baker announces $10M small business recovery fund, waiting period waived for unemployment benefits

President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing an economic stimulus package that could approach $1 trillion and include sending checks to Americans within a matter of weeks to help them pay for groceries, bills, mortgages and rent. The Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a separate bill that would inject $1 billion into state unemployment insurance programs.

The federal aid could rival or exceed that of the Great Recession in 2008, when a financial industry crisis led to widespread layoffs. Economic analysts warn the country is likely entering — or already in — its first recession since then.

>> Click here for more CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.

>> Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts <<

© 2020 Cox Media Group