Iowa employees who have lost their jobs or had their work hours reduced may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. To inform employees about how to obtain unemployment insurance benefits, employers must post in the workplace the Iowa Workforce Development’s (IWD) Unemployment Insurance Notice.
Recently, the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Notice was updated with new claim filing instructions and information about when a claim begins. Employers are required to post the revised Unemployment Insurance Notice so that employees know currently where and when to apply for benefits. Iowa employers that have an existing Iowa All-On-One™ Labor Law Poster can use the 2018 Iowa Unemployment Insurance Notice Peel ‘N Post™ sticker to update their posters easily and economically.
Where to File
To obtain unemployment insurance benefits, a worker must first file a claim and register for work. Filing a claim and registering for work are separate processes. The fastest way to obtain benefits is by filing a UI claim and registering for work online via the IWD website. Workers who do not have access to a computer may file a claim and register for work in-person at an IowaWorks job center. IowaWorks job centers offer a variety of career development services to individuals and assist in matching job seekers with prospective employers.
For online filers, the revised Unemployment Insurance Notice gives:
- a new web address to file unemployment insurance claims – www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov
- a new web address filers can use to register for work – www.iowaworks.gov
For in-person filers and individuals seeking placement assistance, the revised Unemployment Insurance Notice gives:
- a new IowaWorks toll-free telephone number and
- two new IowaWorks regional locations – Decorah and Iowa City
When to File
The revised Unemployment Insurance Notice conveys the IWD’s recommendation that initial claims be filed the same week the job ended or the work hours were reduced. As noted on the revised Unemployment Insurance Notice, an unemployment insurance claim is effective the Sunday of the week the employee applies, not the date the employment ended or hours were reduced. It takes several weeks to process an application and to start receiving unemployment benefits. In the meantime, workers must continue to file weekly claims and make the required employer contacts.
Additional Resources
The IWD has many resources available to workers to guide them through unemployment insurance process. As mentioned on the revised Unemployment Insurance Notice, employees can access the Unemployment Insurance Handbook online to learn more about their rights and responsibilities. The IWD also hosts an informative Unemployment Insurance FAQs section that answers specific questions workers may have. The IWD also has an online Employer Handbook that explains employers’ responsibilities under the law.