Iowa Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide 2024

Looking for tips to access the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

In this article, we will make Unemployment Insurance Benefits easy to understand with Iowa 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 Iowa 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 IOWA Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

The state’s unemployment insurance program is administered by IOWA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (IWD).

Through the IowaWORKS relationship, IWD is a state agency dedicated to delivering employment assistance to individual job seekers. Employers and enterprises may advertise job openings, recruit veterans, and apply for federal tax incentives if they qualify.

Below is what its official website looks like.

Image: Official Iowa Unemployment Website

Iowa Unemployment Contact

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS

Phone: 1-866-239-0843

Email: uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov(link sends e-mail)

Unemployment Insurance Customer Service Hours: (excluding state holidays)

8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Wednesday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Thursday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday

OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION

Adult and Dislocated Workers

Dislocated.Worker@iwd.iowa.gov

Federal Bond Program

federalbond@iwd.iowa.gov

Federal Contractor Compliance

ofccp@iwd.iowa.gov

Foreign Labor Certification

Foreignlaborcert@iwd.iowa.gov

Home Base Iowa

homebaseiowa.gov/contact-us

Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers

MSFW@iwd.iowa.gov

Rapid Response

Dislocated.Worker@iwd.iowa.gov

Skilled Iowa

SkilledIowa@iwd.iowa.org

Trade Act

TradeProgram@iwd.iowa.gov

Veteran Service

IWD_Veterans@iwd.iowa.gov

Voluntary Shared Work Program

vswclaims@iwd.iowa.gov
Call:866-239-0843

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN )

Dislocated.Worker@iwd.iowa.gov

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA )

IWD.WIOA@iwd.iowa.gov

Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC )

WOTC.coordinator@iwd.iowa.gov

Youth and Young Adult Services

YouthServices@iwd.iowa.gov

How To Qualify for Iowa Unemployment Benefits

To be eligible for UI benefits in Iowa, a worker must meet the following criteria:

Be totally or partially unemployed, through no fault of his or her own
Have worked and earned a minimum amount of wages covered by unemployment during the 15 to 18 months before filing an initial claim
Have lost a job through no fault of their own

You must also be willing and able to accept suitable work if and when it is offered.

How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Iowa?

Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base Period: N/A
Duration of Benefits: 8-26 weeks
Weekly Payment: Min $73 to Max $493
Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $12,506

How Do I Apply for Iowa Unemployment Benefits?

You may apply for unemployment benefits online, which is probably the quickest and most efficient method. You can also utilize a computer at an IowaWORKS Center if you don’t have access to the Internet.

Please call a local IowaWORKS Center to make an appointment if you require one-on-one assistance in filing your initial state unemployment compensation claim.

How do I Manage My Iowa Unemployment Benefits

After making an initial claim for UI benefits, an unemployed worker must confirm eligibility every week via Iowa’s claims reporting system in order to receive weekly benefit payments.

The claimant will be requested to attest the following pieces of information each week when filing the weekly claim:

Whether you’re still unemployed or working part-time,
Whether or if you are able and willing to take on an acceptable job,
Whether or if you’ve turned down any employment offers or recommendations,
Whether you’re looking for a new job or not,
Whether or not you’re disclosing any pensions they could be receiving
Whether you’re reporting their gross salary, vacation time, severance money, and/or holiday compensation.

Using the same account you created when you filed your initial unemployment claim, you may file a weekly unemployment benefits claim online.

How Do I Appeal an Iowa Unemployment Decision?

Any judgment related to your claim can be appealed to an administrative law judge by both the employee and the employer. If you wish to appeal, you must postmark your official request within 10 calendar days after the date on your formal decision letter.

You can make a formal appeal by filling out Iowa’s Unemployment Insurance Appeal Form and mailing it to the following address, along with any supporting documentation:

Iowa Workforce Development
Appeals Bureau
1000 E Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209

How Do I Report an Iowa Unemployment Fraud?

If you believe someone is taking unemployment benefits fraudulently, please report your suspicions via one of the following methods:

Online: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/report-fraud

Mail:

Iowa Workforce Development
Attn: Fraud
1000 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319

Fax: 515-281-9033

Iowa Workforce Development
Attn: Fraud

How Do I Talk to a Person in Iowa Unemployment Customer Service?

Steps:

Dial 1-866-239-0843
Press 1 (if you have questions about how or when to file for unemployment)
Say “speak with a representative”
Stay on the line
The automated phone system will connect you to a live customer service agent from Iowa Unemployment

Iowa Unemployment Voice Main Menu

Press 1 if you have questions about how or when to file for unemployment.
Press 2 if you have questions about filing your weekly claim.
Press 3 if you have questions about your payment or payment method.
Press 4 if you have any questions about your eligibility.
Press 5 to hear these options again.

Iowa Unemployment Customer Service Representatives Hours

Live Missouri Unemployment customer service is available from 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday,
Saturday-Sunday closed.

Iowa Unemployment Support Phone Numbers

Iowa Unemployment Insurance Customer Support Phone: 1-866-239-0843. Live customer service representatives from Iowa Unemployment Insurance are available from 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday closed.
Unemployment Insurance Tax: 1-888-848-7442. Live customer service representatives from Iowa Unemployment Insurance are available from 8:30am to noon and 1pm to 4pm Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday closed.
Unemployment Insurance Appeals: 1-800-532-1483 (In Iowa), 1-800-247-5205 (Outside of Iowa), 1-515-281-3747 (Local Des Moines).
Unemployment Insurance Fraud: 1-866-239-0843. Live customer service representatives from Iowa Unemployment Insurance are available from 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday closed.
Questions or assistance with myIowaUI: 1-888-848-7442.

Iowa Unemployment Fax Numbers

Unemployment Insurance Appeals: 1-515-478-3528
Unemployment Insurance Fraud: 1-515-281-9033

Iowa Workforce Development Web Links

Iowa Unemployment Insurance (UI) Mailing Addresses

CORRESPONDENCE OR EXHIBITS:

Iowa Workforce Development

Appeals Bureau

1000 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

Iowa Unemployment Live Chat Support

Live chat customer service is not available from Iowa Unemployment. The best way to contact Iowa Unemployment by customer support phone (1-866-239-0843).

Iowa Unemployment support email

For assistance Applying for Unemployment or Filing Your Weekly Claim via e-mail use the following Unemployment Help Request form
Unemployment Insurance Benefits: UIClaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov
Unemployment Insurance Tax: iwduitax@iwd.iowa.gov
Unemployment Insurance Appeals: UIAppealsHelp@iwd.iowa.gov
Unemployment Insurance Fraud: UIFraud@iwd.iowa.gov
Assistance with myIowaUI, contact IWD UI Tax Bureau: iwduitax@iwd.iowa.gov

Iowa UI Help Center

You can get more information about Iowa UI Customers on the Iowa UI Customers Support page.

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

Iowa Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations

Iowa Unemployment Office	Iowa Unemployment Office Locations	Iowa Unemployment Phone Number
Unemployment Office – Ames	903 Lincoln WayAmes, IA 50010	515-725-5495
Unemployment Office – Cedar Rapids	4444 First Avenue NE Suite 436Cedar Rapids, IA 52402	319-365-9474
Unemployment Office – Council Bluffs	300 West Broadway Suite 13Council Bluffs, IA 51503	712-352-3480
Unemployment Office – Creston	215 North ElmCreston, IA 50801	641-782-2119
Unemployment Office – Davenport	1801 East Kimberly Rd Suite ADavenport, IA 52807	563-445-3200
Unemployment Office – Decorah	312 Winnebago Street Suite ADecorah, IA 52101	563-382-0457
Unemployment Office – Denison	504 Hwy 39 NDenison, IA 51442	712-792-2685
Unemployment Office – Des Moines	200 Army Post Road Suite 44Des Moines, IA 50315	515-281-9619
Unemployment Office – Dubuque	680 Main StreetDubuque, IA 52001-6818	563-556-5800
Unemployment Office – Fort Dodge	3 Triton CircleFort Dodge, IA 50501-5729	515-576-3131
Unemployment Office – Iowa City	1700 South 1st Avenue Suite 11BIowa City, IA 52240-6036	319-351-1035
Unemployment Office – Marshalltown	101 Iowa Avenue West Suite 200Marshalltown, IA 50158	641-754-1400
Unemployment Office – Mason City	600 South Pierce AvenueMason City, IA 50401	641-422-1524
Unemployment Office – Ottumwa	15260 Truman StreetNorth CampusOttumwa, IA 52501	641-684-5401
Unemployment Office – Postville	134 W Greene StPostville, IA 52162	563-382-0457
Unemployment Office – Sioux City	2508 4th StreetSioux City, IA 51101	712-233-9030
Unemployment Office – Spencer	217 W 5th StreetPO Box 1087Spencer, IA 51301-1087	712-262-1971
Unemployment Office – Waterloo	3420 University AvenueWaterloo, IA 50701	319-235-2123
Unemployment Office – Burlington	550 S. Gear Avenue Suite 35West Burlington, IA 52655	319-753-1671

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.