Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide

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Looking for tips to access the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Benefits? 

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

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is in charge of administering the state’s unemployment insurance program. 

Below is what its official website looks like.

Wisconsin Unemployment Contact 

  • Phone: (608) 266-3131
  • Physical Address: 
    • 201 E. Washington Avenue

Madison, WI 53703

  • Mailing Address:
    • P.O. Box 7946

Madison, WI 53707

  • Office Hours: 
    • Open : 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
    • Closed: Saturday and Sunday

How To Qualify for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

You may be eligible for unemployment aid in Wisconsin if you have a sufficient work history and your employment was terminated due to no fault of your own. Claimants must also be able and willing to work if provided new employment, and you should be prepared to record your job-search activity.

If any of the following apply to you, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits:

  • You are completely unemployed,
  • Your weekly hours and/or earnings have been decreased, and you are partially unemployed.
  • You expect to be unemployed in the next 13 weeks and want to begin the term of your benefits as soon as possible.

Please keep in mind that your claim starts the first week after you file for UI benefits, so don’t delay. To avoid losing your unemployment benefits, make sure you file for unemployment compensation during the first week you’re jobless.

How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Wisconsin? 

  • Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
  • Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
  • Duration of Benefits: 14-26 weeks
  • Weekly Payment: Min $54 to Max $370
  • Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $9,620

How Do I Apply for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits?

Please keep in mind that your claim starts the first week after you file for UI benefits, so don’t delay. To avoid losing your unemployment benefits, make sure you file for unemployment compensation during the first week you’re jobless.

Go to my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov for more detail.

How do I Manage My Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

You must submit a separate UI claim for each week you wish to receive benefits while receiving unemployment benefits.

In general, the UI claim will ask you to answer the following questions:

  • The reason you haven’t worked in a while
  • Whether you’re currently jobless or have a part-time job,
  • Whether or whether you are able and willing to work
  • Whether you’ve turned down any employment offers or been referred to a job
  • Whether you are actively seeking employment or not
  • If you’ve received any salary or a pension payout since your last weekly claim, tell us about it.

All of the questions are unique to the calendar week for which you are requesting a weekly benefit. You have the option of receiving your benefits by direct deposit or a prepaid Visa debit card.

How Do I Appeal a Wisconsin Unemployment Decision?

If your first claim is refused, you can appeal the decision either online or by sending or faxing a statement explaining why you are appealing the decision. An appeal can be requested by either the employee or the employer.

Contact Information

  • UI Hearing Office
  • P.O. Box 7975
  • Madison, WI 53707
  • Fax: 608-327-6498

How Do I Report a Wisconsin Unemployment Fraud?

If you suspect unemployment insurance fraud, the online form is the easiest approach to report it. It’s usually the quickest approach to finish your report. You may also contact the fraud hotline at 800-909-9472, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. 

You may also send a statement to the following address:

Unemployment InsuranceAttn: Program IntegrityP.O. Box 7905Madison, WI 53707

Include all of the following information:

  • Name of the individual accused of defrauding others
  • Their complete address is
  • This is their social security number
  • Their contact information
  • The fraud’s particular characteristics
  • If the claimant is employed, include the name of the employer, as well as the address and phone number of the company.
  • Your name, address, and phone number are required fields (optional)

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.


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Wisconsin Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations

Wisconsin Unemployment  OfficeWisconsin Unemployment Office LocationsWisconsin Unemployment Phone Number
Adams County Unemployment Office401 North Main StreetAdams, WI 53910608-339-9559
Ashland Unemployment Office422 Third Street WestSuite 200Ashland, WI 54806715-682-9141
Polk County Unemployment Office317 A Main StreetPO Box 278Balsam Lake, WI 54810715-485-3115
Sauk County Unemployment Office505 Broadway StreetRoom 232Baraboo, WI 53913608-355-4810
Chippewa County Unemployment Office2829 County Hwy ISuite 2AChippewa Falls, WI 54729715-723-2248
Pepin County Unemployment Office403 – 3rd Avenue WestSuite 200Durand, WI 54736715-672-8801
Eau Claire County Unemployment Office221 West Madison StSuite 140-AEau Claire, WI 54703715-836-3036
Walworth County Unemployment Office400 County Road HGateway Technical CollegeElkhorn, WI 53121262-741-5180
Southwest Wisconsin Unemployment Office1800 Bronson BlvdFennimore, WI 53809608-822-2334
Fond du Lac Area Job and Career Center349 North Peters AvenueFond Du Lac, WI 54935920-929-3900
Brown County Unemployment Office301 N. Adams St.Suite 130Green Bay, WI 54301920-448-6760
Hayward Unemployment Office15618 Windrose LaneSuite 106Hayward, WI 54843715-635-2175
Rock County Unemployment Office1900 Center AvenueJanesville, WI 53546608-741-3400
Workforce Development Center874 Collins RoadJefferson, WI 53549920-674-7500
Kenosha County Unemployment Office8600 Sheridan RoadKenosha, WI 53143262-697-4500
Menominee County/Tribal Unemployment OfficeNorth 172 State Hwy. 47/55Keshena, WI 54135715-799-5600
Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Center2615 East Avenue SouthSuite 101La Crosse, WI 54601608-789-5627
Ladysmith Unemployment Office1101 Lake Avenue W # 1Ladysmith, WI 54848715-661-1485
Dane County Unemployment Office1819 Aberg AvenueMadison, WI 53704608-288-2459
Bay East3733 Dewey StreetManitowoc, WI 54220920-683-2888
Marinette County Unemployment Office1605 University Avenue.Marinette,, WI 54143715-732-7840
Marshfield Unemployment Office211 E. Second StreetSuite 123Marshfield, WI 54449715-321-1011
Medford Unemployment Office1001 Progressive AvenueMedford, WI 54451715-762-2477
Fox Cities Unemployment Office1802 Appleton RoadEntrance #4Menasha, WI 54952920-997-3272
Dunn County Unemployment Office401 Technology Drive EastMenomonie, WI 54751715-232-7380
Unemployment Office4201 North 27th StreetSuite 400Milwaukee, WI 53216414-203-8500
Milwaukee Unemployment Office4201 N. 27th StreetMilwaukee, WI 53216414-874-0318
Milwaukee Southeast Unemployment Office2701 S Chase AvenueMilwaukee, WI 53207414-389-6607
Milwaukee Walker`s Square Unemployment Office816 W. National Ave.Suite 400Milwaukee, WI 53204414-302-2668
Southeast Wisconsin Unemployment Office1915 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.Milwaukee, WI 53212414-374-1800
Clark County Unemployment Office501 Hewett StreetNeillsville, WI 54456715-743-4631
Park Falls Unemployment Office400 South 4th AvenueCity HallPark Falls, WI 54552715-762-2477
Phillips Unemployment Office1408 Pine Ridge RoadPhillips, WI 54555715-339-7255
Racine County Workforce Solutions1717 Taylor AvenueRacine, WI 53403262-638-6481
Northern Advantage Unemployment Office51 A North Brown StreetRhinelander, WI 54501715-365-1500
Barron County Unemployment Office331 South Main StRice Lake, WI 54868715-234-6302
St. Croix Valley Unemployment Office704-B North Main StreetRiver Falls, WI 54022715-426-0388
Shawano County Unemployment Office607 East Elizabeth StreetShawano, WI 54166715-524-2511
Sheboygan County Unemployment Office3620 Wilgus AvenueSheboygan, WI 53081920-208-5856
Spooner Unemployment Office522 Service RoadSpooner, WI 54801715-635-2175
Door County Unemployment Office1300 Egg Harbor RoadSuite 124Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235920-743-6915
Superior Unemployment Office1805 North 14th StreetSuite 1Superior, WI 54880715-392-7800
Waukesha Comprehensive Center327 E BroadwayWaukesha, WI 53186262-695-8056
Marathon County Unemployment Office731 North 1st StreetSuite 4000Wausau, WI 54403715-261-8700
Washington County Workforce Development Center2200 Green Tree RoadWest Bend, WI 53090262-335-5300
Wisconsin Rapids Unemployment Office320 W Grand AveSuite 102Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495715-422-5000

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.

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Editor
Sabrina is a former campaign manager who has decided to focus her effort to help people contact senators and get help. She leads our Editorial Team with Ronald and Lawrence to curate content and resources that help us navigate the system.

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