Looking for tips to access the Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
In this article, we will make Unemployment Insurance Benefits easy to understand with Hawaii Unemployment phone numbers and other contact information.
We understand.
The experience of unemployment is often fraught with anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. Not being able to provide for oneself and one’s family can be very difficult, and the stress of the situation can be overwhelming.
Those who are unemployed may feel like they are a burden to their loved ones, and they may feel like they are not good enough or valuable enough. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this experience, and there are people who care about you and want to help.
You are valuable, even if you are not working at the moment. There are many resources available to you, so please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Why did we create the Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide?
Government websites can be difficult to navigate for a lot of people. They may be confusing or hard to use, and they may not have all the information people need. This can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially for people who are already struggling.
Having said that, please use our guide as support but NOT the official guide. You will NEED to contact the official unemployment government staff and fight for your own benefits. You can do this.
Who’s in charge of Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
Unemployment insurance benefits are administered by the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, which decides claimant eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Unemployment insurance payments can aid qualified claimants who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own, as long as they fulfill further Hawaii qualifying conditions.
How To Qualify for Hawaii Unemployment Benefits
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Hawaii, you must be a resident of the state and complete all of the following requirements:
- According to Hawaii law, the claimant must be jobless due to no fault of their own.
- During the previous 12 months, the claimant must have worked in Hawaii.
- The claimant must have worked for at least a certain number of time, as established by Hawaii’s rules.
- Each week, the claimant must be actively looking for a new job in order to receive assistance payments.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for state unemployment benefits, the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations recommends filing an unemployment claim as soon as possible after losing a job so you can receive an official determination.
How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Hawaii?
- Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
- Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
- Duration of Benefits: 26 weeks
- Weekly Payment: Min $5 to Max $648
- Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $16,848
How Do I Apply for Hawaii Unemployment Benefits?
The state of Hawaii asks that you submit your initial UI benefits claim online during the following times:
- Monday through Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Weekends and Holidays: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
As part of the UI claim process, you must create a user account that you can then use for all activities related to your account, including filing your weekly benefits request.
How do I Manage My Hawaii Unemployment Benefits
You must validate your eligibility for Hawaii’s UI benefits program each week that you apply for unemployment aid. This procedure includes answering questions regarding your job-search efforts for the previous week, reporting any earnings, and disclosing any employment offers you received.
Simply enter into the same account you used to register your original claim and follow the step-by-step instructions within the portal to file your weekly claim.
How Do I Appeal a Hawaii Unemployment Decision?
You will get an official notice of determination after your original claim has been examined. This letter will explain the state’s determination on whether or not you are qualified for benefits and, if so, how much you should expect in your weekly benefit payment.
If your claim is refused and you want to appeal the decision, you and your employer both have the option of filing an appeal request. The Hawaii Employment Security Appeals Referee Office must receive this request within 10 days.
A phone hearing will be held after that, during which you will be allowed to provide more paperwork as well as witness testimony to support your claim. The referee will then make a new decision. Any appeal of this judgment will have to be made in writing.
How Do I Report a Hawaii Unemployment Fraud?
Unemployment insurance fraud is a severe crime that causes delays and frustration for law-abiding individuals who require this vital help. In Hawaii, those who commit unemployment fraud face sanctions and criminal charges.
The state of Hawaii invites you to phone 808-586-8947 if you think someone is obtaining unemployment benefits improperly. You will be asked a series of questions to assist the state in gathering crucial data.
How Do I Talk to a Person in Hawaii Unemployment Customer Service?
Steps:
- Dial 1-833-901-2272 or 1-833-901-2275
- Say “Menu”
- Say “One”
- Stay on the line
- The automated phone system will connect you to a live customer service agent from Hawaii Unemployment
HI Unemployment Voice Main Menu
- Say “One” if you are calling about general information, regular unemployment, PEUC or FPUC.
- Say “Two” if you are calling about PUA.
- Say “Three” if you are an employer and are calling for information on employer-related matters.
- Say “Four” if you are calling to report fraud or identity theft.
- Say “Repeat” to repeat this menu.
HI Unemployment Live Chat Support
Live chat customer service is not available from Hawaii Unemployment. To contact a live customer service representative you need to dial 1-833-901-2272 and follow the instructions above.
Hawaii Unemployment support email
- Oahu Claims Office: dlir.ui.oahu@hawaii.gov
- Hilo Claims and Benefits: dlir.ui.hilo@hawaii.gov
- Kona Claims and Benefits: dlir.ui.kona@hawaii.gov
- Maui Claims and Benefits: dlir.ui.maui@hawaii.gov
- Kauai Claims and Benefits: dlir.ui.kauai@hawaii.gov
- Hilo Employer Services: dlir.ui.empsvc.hilo@hawaii.gov
- Kona Employer Services: dlir.ui.empsvc.kona@hawaii.gov
- Maui Employer Services: dlir.ui.empsvc.maui@hawaii.gov
- Kauai Employer Services: dlir.ui.empsvc.kauai@hawaii.gov
What if I got fired?
You may be disqualified for benefits if the employer can prove you were discharged for work-related misconduct. An employer must prove misconduct before you are eligible for benefits.
What if I quit?
In general, you are not eligible if you leave your work freely.
If you quit for “good cause,” though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes good reason, and you can make your case for getting benefits.
You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because regulations and conditions differ from state to state.
Similar Content
- Colorado Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Delaware Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Florida Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
- Georgia Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide
Hawaii Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations
| Hawaii Unemployment Office | Hawaii Unemployment Office Locations | Hawaii Unemployment Phone Number |
| Unemployment Office – Hawaii Island | 427 Kilauea Avenue Unit B10Hilo, HI 96720 | 808-935-6527 |
| Unemployment Office – Oahu | 1505 Dillingham Blvd, Room 110Honolulu, HI 96817 | 808-768-5701 |
| Unemployment Office – Kahului | 70 E. Kaahumanu Avenue B-9Kahului, HI 96732 | 808-270-5777 |
| Unemployment Office – Molokai | 55 Makaena Street Room 4Kaunakakai, HI 96748 | 808-553-1755 |
| Unemployment Office – Kauai | 4444 Rice Street Suite 302Lihue, HI 96766 | 808-274-3056 |
Claims Offices Contact
| UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS & BENEFITS | PHONE: | FAX: | EMAIL: |
| Oahu Claims Office 830 Punchbowl St., Rm 110 Honolulu, HI 96813 | (808) 586-8970 | (808) 586-8980 | dlir.ui.oahu@hawaii.gov |
| Hilo Claims and Benefits 1990 Kinoole St., Ste 101 Hilo, HI 96720-5293 | (808) 974-4086 | (808) 974-4085 | dlir.ui.hilo@hawaii.gov |
| Kona Claims and Benefits 81-990 Halekii St., Rm 2090 Kealakekua, HI 96750 | (808) 322-4822 | (808) 322-4828 | dlir.ui.kona@hawaii.gov |
| Maui Claims and Benefits 54 South High St., Rm 201 Wailuku, HI 96793 | (808) 984-8400 | (808) 984-8444 | dlir.ui.maui@hawaii.gov |
| Kauai Claims and Benefits 4370 Kukui Grove St., Ste 3-214 Lihue, HI 96766 | (808) 274-3043 | (808) 274-3046 | dlir.ui.kauai@hawaii.gov |
Special Activities Unit Contact
| UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS & BENEFITS | PHONE: | FAX: |
| Benefit Overpayment | (808) 586-8947 | (808) 586-8958 |
| Unemployment Abuse / Report Fraud | (833) 901-2272 and(808) 762-5752 | (808) 586-8958 |
| Statement of Charges | (808) 586-8951 | (808) 586-8958 |
Employer Services
- OAHU 830 Punchbowl St., Room 437 Honolulu, HI 96813
- Email: dlir.ui.empsvc.tax@hawaii.gov
- General Information Phone: (808) 586-8926; Fax: (808) 586-8929
- Registration: (808) 586-8982
- Unemployment Tax Information: (808) 586-8915
- Quarterly Wage: (808) 586-8982
- Audit Section: (808) 586-9795
Employer Registration for SIDES E-Response and Electronic Low Earning Report Monitoring (ELERM)
- Email only: dlir.ui.pdces@hawaii.gov
Hilo Employer Services 1990 Kinoole St., Ste 101 Hilo, HI 96720-5293
- Phone: (808) 974-4095
- Fax: (808) 974-4085
- Email: dlir.ui.empsvc.hilo@hawaii.gov
Kona Employer Services 1990 Kinoole St., Ste 101 Hilo, HI 96720-5293
- Phone: (808) 974-4095
- Fax: (808) 974-4085
- Email: dlir.ui.empsvc.kona@hawaii.gov
Maui Employer Services 54 South High St., Rm 201 Wailuku, HI 96793
- Phone: (808) 984-8410
- Fax: (808) 984-8444
- Email: dlir.ui.empsvc.maui@hawaii.gov
Kauai Employer Services 4370 Kukui Grove St., Ste 3-214 Lihue, HI 96766
- Phone: (808) 274-3025
- Fax: (808) 274-3046
- Email: dlir.ui.empsvc.kauai@hawaii.gov
New Hire Reports (Administered by the Attorney General) For more information go to: http://ag.hawaii.gov/csea/employer-information/
- Phone: (808) 692-7029
- Fax: (808) 692-7001
- Email: ag@hawaii.gov
Final Thoughts
We hope the above info has been helpful to you.
We do not make any financial advice but below are some of our thoughts that could help you stand on your feet sooner than later.
- Don’t feel shame about needing help, but also don’t feel entitled.
- Don’t beat yourself up – things happen. The sooner you accept it and move on, the better.
- Don’t burn the bridge. Work with your employer to help yourself.
- 1) Check if you are entitled to severance pay, vacation or sick pay,
- 2) Ask about extending health insurance benefits,
- 3) Ask about outplacement resources,
- 4) Request a reference letter from your employer
- Review your financial positions, obligations.
- Make a weekly or monthly budget. Buy what you need, so you don’t have to sell what you need.
- Watch out for credit card loans – they will eat you alive.
- Make an action plan with at least 3 scenarios from best to worst and examine your options.
