How Do I Claim Unemployment Benefits with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development?

Losing your job through no fault of your own is typically stressful. More often than not, you're not sure what to do next. This guide will take much of the guesswork out of applying with the Alaskan Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Here's what to expect.

What You Need

1. Social security number and driver's license number
2. Alien registration number and work permit type, or similar document
3. Name, mailing address and phone number of last or most recent employer, and location you reported to work if different from employer's address.
4. Dates of first and last day worked for most recent employer.
5. Your last week's hours worked and any earnings including severance, vacation or bonus pay.
6. Federal employees need to fax or mail SF8, SF50 and if possible, a Leave and Earnings Statement.
7. Former military who served in the last 18 months need to mail or fax a copy of DD-214 Member 4

How to Apply

1. Go to myAlaska.gov and either register a new account or sign into your existing one. Please note that there are links in case you've forgotten your username or password, but if you no longer have the email address linked to your profile, you would need to call the UI claims department to have the account reset so you can create a new account.
2. Those with existing accounts without issues will find the application under Unemployment Benefits, which is under Services for Individuals.
3. New accounts would be created by clicking on New User: Register a myAlaska account. New accounts also require most current contact information, your full legal name, your mailing address and physical address, and phone number.
4. You will also need to create a username, password and security question for your account. Next, you will need to verify your password and email address twice.
5. The User Agreement must be read and accepted before moving on to the next screen.
6. You are given 20 minutes per screen to complete your application but your information isn't saved. If the system times out, you would need to start over.
7. Use the Previous and Continue buttons on the webpage to move, instead of the back and forward buttons on your browser.
8. Enter and verify your social security number, then enter your first and last name, followed by your birthday as a two-digit month, two-digit day and a four-digit year. Answer the next questions to the best of your ability. Some questions also have a question mark symbol next to them in case you need help.
9. You will see the Client Menu after reading and agreeing to the advisory statement. Click on File a new claim or reopen an existing UI claim. Reading the information as you go will help you understand what to expect. Of course you can also call the Alaskan UI center here or review the user guides available on their website.
10. Your claim could be denied if your mail is returned or you are unable to be reached by the phone and mailing address you provided.
11. Please wait one business day after submitting your claim before you set up direct deposit.