Division of Unemployment Insurance
Looking for information about Unemployment Insurance Claims? This section contains useful information for Employers and Claimants. Click on the Information menu on the left to reference the detailed information provided in our Employer and Claimant handbooks.
Unemployment Insurance Information Hotline:
New Castle County residents:
(302) 761-6576
Kent & Sussex County residents:
(800) 794-3032
WebBenefits
The ability to file for your weekly unemployment insurance payment is now available. File Online
Direct Deposit
The direct deposit of unemployment insurance benefits is now available. Enroll in Direct Deposit
File a New or Reopened Claim
You may choose to file your new or reopened claim for unemployment insurance benefits online instead of reporting to an unemployment insurance local office to file your claim. File Online
Repayment of Overpayments
The ability to repay your UI overpayment online is now available. Make a Payment
Unemployment Insurance Fraud Hotline
If you are aware of someone fraudulently collecting unemployment insurance benefits, please call the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Hotline at (302) 761-8397 or (302) 761-8384. More Information »
New Identification Requirements
Effective August 1, 2011, there are new identification requirements when requesting unemployment insurance program services at the division's four local offices. See the new ID requirements.
Reporting Wages When Collecting Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Wages must be reported on your weekly pay authorization form or during your weekly call to "TeleBenefits". See the requirements for reporting wages and the penalties for not doing so.
Self-Employment & Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
If you are self-employed at the time you file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits or become self-employed while collecting unemployment insurance benefits, you must provide this information to the Division of Unemployment Insurance. See additional information on this subject.
Division of Unemployment Insurance Regulations
See the Document
The Top 10 Things You Should Know About Filing A Claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
See the List
The Top 5 Things An Employer Should Know About the Unemployment Insurance System
See the List
Online Submission of Employee Separation Information Now Available
The Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance is pleased to inform employers that you now have the option to submit employee separation information online to the division when a claim for unemployment insurance benefits has been filed against your business.
SIDES (State Information Data Exchange System) and SIDES E-Response was developed through a strategic partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and state unemployment insurance agencies.
Both SIDES and SIDES E-Response are designed to meet the unique needs of businesses large and small. For employers with a limited number of UI claims, the SIDES E-Response website provides an easy and efficient way to respond to information requests from state unemployment insurance agencies. For employers and third party administrators (TPAs) that handle a large volume of unemployment insurance claim information requests, SIDES provides an automated, computer-to-computer interface between employers' and TPAs' IT systems and state agency networks.
SIDES and SIDES E-Response offer many benefits that will help your company simplify and streamline responses to unemployment insurance claim information requests:
- Free of charge - Both systems are offered free of charge to employers and TPAs.
- Secure - Both systems have multiple layers of security that are implemented to the highest standard to protect the sensitive data exchanged between the state unemployment insurance agency and employers and TPAs.
- Reduce administrative costs - Both systems reduce the volume of time-consuming follow-up phone calls, unnecessary appeals, postage costs, paper work and staff resources.
- Save time - Both systems are electronic, eliminating delays related to paper mail delivery, reducing paper handling, and ensuring information requests are fully completed.
How does SIDES or SIDES E-Response Work?
- When a claim for unemployment insurance benefits is filed, the claimant provides the employer's name and the system matches that employer's unemployment insurance account number to the division's Employer Address file. If the employer has elected to participate in the SIDES or SIDES E-Response program, the claimant's information is processed. For SIDES, the employer or the employer's TPA (whichever is applicable) will be notified through their system. For SIDES E-Response, an email is sent to the employer that will contain a link to the SIDES E-Response website along with a password to access the electronic separation information for the employee.
- Upon accessing the SIDES or the SIDES E-Response website, the employer then enters the information requested and electronically submits a response that will be returned to the division.
- The employer has the capability to print their UC-119C responses and/or save them to their computer.
How does an employer elect to participate in SIDES or SIDES E-Response?
- An employer needs to register with the Division of Unemployment Insurance using the following website: https://ess.delawareworks.com.
- On the first visit, a system administrator account needs to be established - the employer's Delaware unemployment insurance account number and the employer's FEIN are required to create this account.
- When the account is created, the system administrator will receive an email with credentials to access the system to enter the UC-119C mailing address and email address. The email address is critical for this system because that is how the employer is notified that an employee has filed a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. This email will contain the link to the Delaware E-Response website and a password to access the electronic version of the UC-119C (Separation Reason Form).
- For those employers who use a participating SIDES TPA, select the TPA from the TPA drop-down list and the mailing address will be populated automatically.
- he system administrator can designate up to two other staff members within their organization as a back-up system administrator. At this time, this role is only able to add/update the UC-119C address information.
Finally, although participation in the use of SIDES or SIDES E-Response is voluntary (an employer can choose to continue to be sent a paper form UC-119C when a claim for unemployment insurance benefits is filed), the division strongly encourages employers to participate in SIDES or SIDES E-Response.
If you have any questions about accessing SIDES or SIDES E-Response, please contact the division either by email at dol_dui_sides@state.de.us or by telephone at 302-761-8360.
A short informational video is available: SIDES Employer Messaging