Delaware unemployment benefits provide financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Managed by the Delaware Department of Labor, the unemployment insurance program provides temporary income to qualified individuals while they search for new employment.

To receive these benefits, you must file an initial claim and meet certain eligibility requirements. These may include showing you earned a minimum amount in wages and are actively seeking work.

How the Program Works

In Delaware, you have to file a claim each week to receive your weekly benefit amount, which varies based on your previous income and other factors.

Program Benefits

The program helps unemployed individuals sustain themselves financially during a job loss, reducing the immediate financial stress. At the same time, it benefits the larger community by providing a safety net that helps maintain consumer spending, thereby supporting small businesses and local economies.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Delaware unemployment benefits, you must meet a variety of requirements. Some of these are financial, others are based on your job history and circumstances surrounding your unemployment. You must also meet ongoing requirements to show you're actively searching for work and willing to accept it.

The state looks at your earnings during the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. You need to have been paid by an insured employer at least 36 times your weekly benefit amount during your base period.

Additional Requirements

• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. Issues with eligibility due to your reason for job loss need to be resolved before you get benefits.
• You must be able to work and be open to accepting a job.
• You are required to actively look for work and maintain a work search log.
• You need to be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
• Register and upload your resume. Keep it updated every three months.
• Certify your eligibility every week by filing a claim and requesting payment.
• Report any income you may have earned during the week.
• Attend training or meetings as requested.

Your benefit year starts the first week you file a qualifying claim and lasts for a year. If you use all your benefits within that year, you can't receive more unless you meet new criteria.

Unemployment Application Instructions

There are two ways to apply for Delaware unemployment benefits: online or in person at a local American Job Center.

Apply Online

1. Visit the Delaware Works website.
2. Click on "Start My Claim Now."
3. Under "Services," choose "File a New or Reopened Claim Online."

If you're living in another state, select "Interstate" as your local office while completing the application.

Apply in Person

To apply in person, visit your local Delaware Job Center.

Need help? Call the Delaware unemployment office at (302) 761-8446.

Preparing to File

Before starting the application, make sure you have:

• Name
• Address
• Reason for loss of job
• Social Security card
• Names and addresses of all employers over the last 18 months.
• W2 forms
• Pay stubs
• Driver's License or government-issued ID

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you'll need to file a weekly claim to receive your weekly benefit amount. The program also requires ongoing actions like registering at Delaware Jobs and actively seeking work to continue receiving benefits.

Possible Issues

You could be denied unemployment benefits for various reasons:

• If you voluntarily quit your job without a work-related good reason.
• If you aren't actively looking for a job.
• If you are in jail or another penal institution.
• If you're still employed and haven't separated from your employer.
• If you've been fired for legitimate reasons tied to your work, such as being late, missing work without excuse, or breaking company rules.
• If you're unavailable for work or can't work due to disability or other reasons.
• If you limit the types of jobs, working hours, or pay rates you're willing to accept.
• If you've turned down a reasonable job offer that matches your skills and offers standard pay for that type of work.
• If you're in a training or educational program that makes you unavailable for work.
• If you're not working due to a labor dispute.

Weekly Claims

If you are approved for benefits, you must certify each week and request payment. You can file weekly claims online or over the phone.

In Delaware, weekly claims can be filed online through the WebBenefits system. Once logged in, just follow the prompts on the screen. The system will ask you to report any money you've earned and any job offers you may have received.

You can also file weekly claims by phone using the TeleBenefits system. The toll-free number is (800) 794-3032, or if you're in New Castle County, you call (302) 761-6576.

When certifying, you are required to confirm that you've conducted the mandatory work search activities and are maintaining a record of the employers you've contacted. You must also report any earnings or job offers you received during the week. Failure to certify each week will result in a pause in benefit payments.