1. Who can qualify and file for unemployment insurance?

You can qualify for unemployment insurance if you’re either partially or completely unemployed. Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a state-run program that offers temporary financial help to eligible workers in Wyoming who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

To be eligible for UI benefits, you must:

  • Be unemployed for reasons beyond your control (such as layoffs),
  • Be physically able to work,
  • Be available and actively looking for a suitable job.
  1. Once I’m eligible for unemployment, what do I do to receive benefits?

You’ll need to certify your eligibility each week by filing a continued claim. You can receive benefits for each eligible week you claim until you either return to work, exhaust your benefits, or reach the end of your benefit year.

To file your continued claim, simply go online to wyui.wyo.gov. You’ll file claims on a weekly basis, and each claim week ends on a Saturday. Make sure to file within 14 days after the claim week ends to stay on track for receiving benefits.

  1. How much will I receive for my unemployment insurance benefits?

The amount of unemployment benefits you receive depends on how much you earned during your base period. As of July 2, 2023, the weekly benefit can range from a minimum of $43 to a maximum of $595. These amounts can change each year because they’re calculated using a formula based on Wyoming’s average weekly wage. So, the exact amount you’ll receive is determined by your past earnings and current state guidelines.

  1. How long will I received unemployment benefits?

You can receive full unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks during your benefit year. If you have weeks where you earn other income and receive reduced benefits, your payments could stretch over a longer period, possibly up to a year. The exact number of weeks depends on how much you earned during your base period and the limits set by Wyoming law.

  1. What is the Reliacard® VISA®  pre-paid debit card and how does it work?

UI claimants receiving benefits will be paid by a U.S. Bank Reliacard® debit card. For more information, read the U.S. Bank Reliacard® Visa® Official FAQ.

  1. If I have been receiving payments from workers’ compensation, am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?

You cannot receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while also getting Temporary Total Disability payments from Workers’ Compensation. However, if you were injured and received Workers’ Compensation, you may still be eligible for UI benefits based on your earnings before the injury.

To claim UI benefits after an injury, you need to request a wage credit freeze and file for unemployment:

  • Within 60 days of being notified that you are no longer eligible for Workers’ Compensation, and
  • Within 36 months of the date of your injury.

This allows you to use your prior employment earnings to qualify for UI benefits.

  1. What does it mean to be disqualified for unemployment?

Being disqualified for unemployment means you won’t receive benefits. Disqualification can happen for several reasons, including:

  • You quit your last job without a good reason.
  • You were fired for misconduct related to your job.
  • You didn’t apply for or accept suitable work when it was offered, without a valid reason.
  • After four weeks of receiving benefits, you refused to apply for or accept work outside your usual job that pays at least 50% of your previous wages.
  • You obtained benefits through fraud or by giving false information.

If you’re disqualified, you won’t receive payments until the issue is resolved.

  1. What happens if I go on vacation or am sick for one or more weeks during my unemployment claim?

If you go on vacation or are sick during your unemployment claim, you’ll need to report it when you file your weekly continued claim. You must let the Division know if you traveled or were unable to work at any time that week. They will decide if you’re still eligible for payment that week. For more information, you can call (307) 473-3789.

  1. What happens if I return to work and then need unemployment benefits again?

If you return to work and work more than 35 hours or earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you’re considered employed and your benefits will stop. However, if you lose your job again after that, you can file an additional claim. This will still be part of the same benefit year you already started. You can file the claim either online or by phone. For more information, call (307) 473-3789 or visit WYUI.

  1. Do I have to pay federal taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Unemployment Insurance benefits are considered taxable income for federal taxes. You can choose to have 10% of your benefits automatically withheld for taxes and sent to the IRS. You can adjust this withholding choice as often as you like. Remember, you’re responsible for paying any taxes owed on your unemployment benefits.

  1. Can I still work part-time while receiving unemployment benefits?

Yes, you can work part-time while receiving unemployment benefits. Just remember to report your earnings each week and continue looking for other work. You should report the total amount you earn (before any deductions) for the week you earned it, not when you get paid.

If you earn more than half of your weekly benefit amount, your benefits will be reduced. If your earnings are equal to or exceed your weekly benefit amount, or if you work 35 hours or more in a week, you won’t receive any benefits for that week.

Example:

  • Hours worked: 5
  • Rate of pay: $8.00 per hour
  • Gross amount earned: 5 hours * $8.00 = $40.00

Make sure to report this $40.00 for the week you worked those hours.

  1. Can I file unemployment against another state?

Yes, you can file for unemployment in any state where you’ve earned wages during your base period. However, you can only file one claim at a time.

If you have wages in multiple states (or in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands), you can request to combine those wages into a single claim in the state where you file. This is known as a combined wage claim.

  1. Why do I have to provide my work search information?

You need to provide your work search information because it can be requested at any time. It’s important to keep this information well-documented and easily accessible. State rules require you to contact at least two employers each week. Your Claimant Guidebook will tell you to keep a written record of:

  1. The date of each contact
  2. The business name
  3. The address (physical, mailing, or online) and phone number
  4. The position you applied for
  5. The outcome of the contact

Keeping detailed records helps ensure you meet your work search requirements and can prove your efforts if needed.

  1. How do I prove I was on unemployment?

To prove you were on unemployment, log into your WYUI account and click on “Unemployment Verification” to get a document showing how much you were paid. You can print this document or call the Claims Center at (307) 473-3789 to ask for a verification letter.

  1. What steps should I take if a family member receiving unemployment benefits has passed away?

If a family member receiving unemployment benefits has passed away, you should send a copy of the obituary or death certificate to the Unemployment Claims Center. This will update the claim to show that the person is deceased, ensuring no further payments are issued.

  1. Why do you need my alien registration card?

We need your alien registration card to confirm that you’re legally allowed to work in the United States, which is a requirement for unemployment eligibility in Wyoming. Please send a copy of your registration card by fax or mail as soon as you start your claim.

  1. I forgot my WYUI password. How do I get a new one?

If you forgot your WYUI password, you can reset it by selecting “Forgot/Expired Password” on the WYUI Home screen. Alternatively, you can call the Claims Center at (307) 473-3789 for assistance with resetting your password.