FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial help if you:
- Are unemployed through no fault of your own AND
- Meet the legal requirements under Hawaii law
We pay unemployment benefits based on requirements of the Hawaii Employment Security Law and past employment and not based on need.
Employers pay for unemployment benefits through taxes on a percentage of their payroll. If you worked for more than one employer, they all share the costs of your benefits. Employers also pay a federal tax that helps manage the program and extend benefits when unemployment is high.
As a worker, you do not pay taxes into the unemployment insurance program.
To apply online, visit the Hawaii UI claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov). This online service is available:
- Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
All times are Hawaii Standard Time (HST).
For details, watch our instructional video (https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/instructional-video-for-filing-unemployment-insurance-online). If you need more help, contact us.
UI Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272
Contact Form: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form
Make sure you have all the following information and that it is correct. You cannot make changes after you submit your application.
- Social Security number
- Bank account number and routing number. Use your bank routing number and account information on your personal check. If you want to use a savings account, ask your bank for this information.
- Your employment information for the past 18 months, including:
- Employer’s name, address, and phone number
- Dates of employment
- Reason for separation
- Alien registration number or I-94 or unexpired passport number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have been paid a certain amount during the standard base period, which is the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters:
- You must have been paid wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and
- You must have been paid at least 26 times your weekly benefit amount.
If you do not qualify using the standard base period, we use the alternate base period, which is the last four (4) completed quarters.
If you worked in other states besides Hawaii (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands) during your base period, you may be able to use those wages to qualify or increase your weekly benefit amount.
In addition to the wage requirements above, you must meet the eligibility requirements below:
- You are unemployed for reasons that were not your fault or working less than your normal hours and earning less than your weekly benefit amount.
- You are physically able to work and available for work and do not have any major restrictions, such as:
- No transportation
- No childcare
- Attending school
- Other personal situations
If you cannot work due to an injury or illness after you apply, you may still be eligible for benefits if you:
- Have a doctor’s note
- Have an active claim and are registered to work
- Do not refuse any suitable work because of your injury or illness
Federal civilian employees
If you worked for the federal government in the past 18 months, you must provide one of the following after applying for benefits:
- Standard Form 8
- Standard Form 50
- Pay stubs
IMPORTANT: Do not delay your filing if you do not have your Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50 or paystubs. You can provide this documentation later.
Military members
As a former military member, you must provide form DD-214 Member 4 Copy after applying for benefits. You should still apply even if you do not have your DD-214. You can provide it later.
To request a copy of your DD-214, visit the National Archives Military Service Records website (https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records).
Benefits will be paid by the state you are in at the time you apply, not your last duty station. If you move to another state after you apply for benefits, please refer to the “Liable interstate benefits” section for more information.
Reservists
You must have at least 180 continuous days of active duty to be eligible for benefits. Be sure to provide your DD-214 after applying. You must also report the hours you work and wages you earn for weekend drills.
Permanent change of station (PCS) orders
If your spouse is in the military and gets a PCS order, you may be eligible for benefits if you quit your job. However, you still need to meet the other eligibility requirements.
During a labor dispute, you are not eligible for benefits if work has stopped at your workplace. We get information from your employer and union representatives to decide if there is a work stoppage.
If there is no work stoppage and you meet all other requirements, you may qualify for benefits. If you filed a claim, you would get a “Notice of Decision on Unemployment Insurance Claim” in the mail.
While receiving benefits, you must report:
- Strike pay
- Sick pay
- Vacation pay
- Pension income
- Disabilities or illnesses
- Education
- Self-employment
If we need more information, we’ll contact you.
If you do not plan to go back to working as much as you did before retirement, you will not qualify for benefits. If you chose to retire, you must report that you quit your job.
If you travel to another state to look for work, you may file courtesy claims online for 2 consecutive weeks. The online system will ask you to share your location. Please respond promptly—if you do not, your benefits may be delayed or denied.
If you are moving to a new address, be sure to update your information and reactivate your claim. If you travel outside the United States, you may not be eligible to benefits until you return to the States.
If you have used all your TDI benefits but are still under a doctor’s care, you must be able and available to work to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
If you have worked since filing a claim but lost that job, or if you are working less than full-time hours, you must reactivate your claim. Watch our instructional video on reactivating claims at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/instructional-video-for-filing-an-additional-claim-and-reactivation/.
If you are still attached to your regular employer, not working or working less than your full-time hours due to a lack of work, you may qualify for some benefits.
To get partial unemployment benefits, follow these rules:
- Your employer must submit form UC-348 Verification of Partial Unemployment Status within 5 working days.
- Each week you claim benefits, your employer must submit a “Weekly Report of Low Earnings” online to verify your earnings and eligibility for each week claimed.
- Do not refuse any offers of suitable work during any week you claim.
You must file a claim for each week you want to receive benefits. Submit your weekly claims online at Hawaii UI claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/). The online system is available:
- Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (HST)
- Weekends and holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (HST)
To avoid delays or denial of payment, file your claims on time:
- Weekly claims must be filed within 7 days after the end of the week (Saturday).
- Biweekly claims must be filed within 7 days after the end of the second week (Saturday).
- If you file claims after the due date, payment will be delayed or denied.
If you filed a claim outside of business hours, it may not show up on our website right away. You should still get an email confirming that you filed a claim.
Your unemployment claim is active for one year. This is called your benefit year. During this time, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks.
When your claim starts
Your claim starts on the Sunday of the week you file it. If you wait to file after losing your job, you will not get benefits for the weeks before you filed.
Waiting period week
Everyone must serve a waiting week, which is usually the first week of your benefit year. You must file a weekly claim request and meet all eligibility requirements for the waiting week, but you will not be paid.
Filing biweekly with only one week of benefits left
If you are a biweekly filer, you should still file biweekly even if you only have one week of benefits left.
We calculate your weekly benefit amount by dividing your highest earnings in a quarter during your base period by 21. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $5 a week. The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year. View this year’s maximum weekly benefit amount at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/news/tax-rate-schedule-and-weekly-benefit-amount/.
Estimate your weekly benefits
Use our online benefit estimator (https://huiclaims2.hawaii.gov/UI_ClaimWEB/pages/calculator/calculator.jsf) to find out how much money you might get from unemployment benefits. This is only an estimate based on information you provide. Your actual amount may be different.
If you use up your benefits
After you use all your benefits and your benefit year ends, you may be eligible to file a new claim. To qualify, you must have worked in a new job and earned wages at least five times the weekly benefit amount of your new claim.
If you have not worked since filing a claim, you will not qualify for more benefits. Instead, you can get free job training and employment help at your local American Job Center. For more information, visit Hawaii Reemployment Services at https://www.hawaiiunemploymentinfo.com/resources/#Reemployment.
You can earn up to $150 a week and still get your full weekly benefit amount. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you will not receive benefits for that week.
If we pay you less than you expect
Your weekly benefits would change if you earned more than $150 during the week claimed, but less than your weekly benefit amount.
Disqualified claims
If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, your claim for that week will say “disqualified.” This means you will not get benefits for that week claimed.
Retirement income
If you are getting retirement income from a pension plan that an employer in your base year funded entirely, we may reduce your benefits. We will not reduce your benefits based on:
- A pension plan you contributed to
- Social Security benefits
- Railroad retirement benefits
If we need to reduce your weekly benefit amount based on retirement income, your local claims office will send you a letter explaining how your benefits will change.
Hawaii residents are automatically registered for work with HireNet Hawaii, the online platform for the State Workforce Development Division (WDD) that offers a variety of employment services to job seekers. Visit the Workforce Development Division webpage to learn more about WDD services and programs.
If you live and are looking for work in another state, you must register for work and maintain an active registration with the Employment Service or American Job Center office in your local area.
Union members
If you are a member of a labor union with a job placement service, your union must submit Verification of Registration for Work (Form UC-226) within seven (7) days of your application for unemployment benefits. This verifies that you are in good standing and actively looking for work through your union. If your union cannot refer you for work, contact us.
UI Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272
Contact Form: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form
Each week, you must actively search for work and complete at least three work search activities. Examples of work search activities include:
- Applying for a job that fits your skills, availabilities, and qualifications
- Interviewing for a job
- Participating in reemployment services at your state workforce center
You can keep an up-to-date record of your work search activities in your online claimant portal. This record will automatically be included in your weekly or bi-weekly claim certification, saving you time.
If you return to full-time work
After you start a new full-time job, notify our office that you found work. Stop submitting weekly or biweekly claim certification to request UI benefit payments once you start your new job, even if you will not be paid for a week or more. If you start the new job in the middle of the week, report your earnings on your weekly or biweekly claim.
We will disqualify you from getting benefits for any of the following reasons:
- You voluntarily quit your job without good cause.
- You were terminated or let go for misconduct related to your work.
- You refused a job offer or referral to suitable work without good cause.
- You are unemployed because of a work has stopped at your workplace due to a labor dispute.
- You committed fraud to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
If we deny you benefits, you can either:
- Ask us to reconsider our decision.
- Submit an appeal.
Even if you choose one of these options, you should keep filing claims for benefits. If you win your appeal, we will update your claim.
How to submit a request for reconsideration or appeal
Submit your appeal online at Hawaii UI claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/). If we deny your request for reconsideration, we will send it to the Employment Security Appeals Referees’ Office (ESARO) for an appeal.
Due date for requests and appeals
You must submit your request or appeal within 10 days of the decision mailing date. If you submit it late but within 30 calendar days and have a good reason, we may still accept it.
How ESARO handles appeals
ESARO is a separate organization that will schedule a hearing and notify you and other interested parties, such as your former employer.
If you disagree with ESARO’s decision to deny benefits, you can file a judicial appeal with the Hawaii Circuit Court.
If you miss an appeal hearing
Contact ESARO at (808) 586-8930.
Judicial appeals
Please contact the Judiciary about judicial appeals.
Denial versus disqualification
These words mean the same thing.
We pay benefits through direct deposit. You will provide your direct deposit information when you file a claim online. To file a claim, visit Hawaii UI claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/) and complete the online application.
For more information on direct deposit, see: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/direct-deposit-of-unemployment-insurance-payments/.
You only need to submit your direct deposit information once unless it changes.
Routing and account numbers
To make sure your bank account and routing numbers are correct, we recommend using a personal check. If you want your benefits deposited into a savings account, contact your bank to get the correct routing and account numbers.
Updating direct deposit information
To update your direct deposit information, visit your local claims office and bring:
- A government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- A bank document with a routing number, account number, and bank name (such as a voided check, bank statement, or bank authorization form)
You cannot see or change your direct deposit information online.
If you are in another state, call us at (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272 to update your information.
If you get a payment you did not expect
We regularly review and resolve issues with claims. If an issue is resolved, you may receive an unexpected payment. To find out why we sent a payment, call us at (833) 901-2272 or (808) 762-5752. You can submit a contact form at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form.
How to repay overpaid benefits
To make a payment or set up a payment plan, email us at [email protected].
Unemployment benefits are taxable. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes and 5% for Hawaii state taxes from your unemployment benefits.
To set up tax withholding, log in to Hawaii UI claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/) and choose “Tax Withholdings” under “My Account.”
Your unemployment tax form (1099-G)
We mail Form 1099-G every January. It shows the benefits you received and any federal or state income taxes withheld for the prior year. Make sure your address is correct in your online account.
Note: If you repaid benefits, keep your receipt for your tax returns or records. We do not change your 1099-G based on the benefits you repaid. If you have questions, contact your local claims office.
Request a copy of your 1099-G
You can get your 1099-G information from your UI account. To access it, log in at Hawaii UI claims website: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/.
Who to contact about taxes
If you have questions about taxes, contact the Department of Taxation. You can find their contact information at https://tax.hawaii.gov/contact/.
Our offices are open for visits Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on state holidays.
How to schedule an appointment
You can schedule an appointment online at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/appointments/.
How to cancel an appointment
You can only cancel up to 48 hours before your appointment. Open the email you received after scheduling your appointment and choose the cancel option.
To update your account information, such as your address or phone number, log into your account on the claimant portal at Hawaii’s Unemployment Insurance claims website (https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/).
If you need free help to understand this document in your language, please contact us using the information below.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Call Center
(808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272 (toll-free)
UI Website: Labor.Hawaii.gov/UI
TTD/TTY: Dial 711; ask for (808) 586-8842
Oahu Claims Office | Hilo Claims Office |
| Maui Claims Office | Kauai Claims Office |
Unemployment insurance is a program administered by the Unemployment Insurance Division of the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The purpose of this program is to provide temporary financial assistance to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who meet the requirements of the Hawaii Employment Security Law. Unemployment insurance benefits are paid as a matter of legal entitlement and past employment, and not on the basis of need.
In Hawaii, employers pay all the costs of unemployment insurance through a payroll tax or reimbursable basis. Employees do not pay any part of their wages to finance the program.
You can apply online.
To file online, go to https://uiclaims.hawaii.gov
You must follow all instructions on the confirmation page at the end.
Monday – Friday
6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Hawaii Standard Time
If you require assistance contact your nearest local office. You must present photo identification. Click here for the addresses of the unemployment offices.
Your claim begins from the Sunday of the week in which you apply. If you delay and do not apply immediately, you will not receive credit for past weeks. Your claim will start only from the week in which you file.
- Your social security number.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, you need your alien registration number.
- Your employment information for the past 18 months, including employer’s name, address, zip-code, phone number, dates of employment, and reason for separation.
- If you were separated from active duty military, you need your DD-214 member 4 copy. IMPORTANT: Do not delay your filing if you do not have your DD-214. You can provide this documentation at a later date. If you don’t have a copy of your Form DD-214, request a copy online at www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.
- If you were in federal employment, you need your SF8 or SF50 or pay-stubs. IMPORTANT: Do not delay your filing if you do not have your SF8 or SF50 or paystubs. You can provide this documentation at a later date.
- Your bank account number and your bank’s routing number. Use your bank routing number and account information on your personal check. To deposit to a savings account, contact your financial institution to obtain the correct routing and account information.
To establish a valid unemployment claim, you must meet the following two monetary qualifications:
- You must have been paid wages in two or more calendar quarters of your base period and,
- You must also have been paid wages totaling 26 times your weekly benefit amount in your base period.
Base Period: The standard base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the effective date of your claim. The effective date of your claim is the Sunday of the week in which you first apply. If you do not qualify using the standard base period, an alternate based period can be used. The alternate base period is the last 4 completed calendar quarters.
If you worked in other states besides Hawaii (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands) in the base period of your claim, you may be able to combine the wages to meet the necessary monetary qualifications or to increase your weekly benefit amount.
Your weekly benefit amount is calculated by dividing the wages in the highest quarter of your base period by 21. However, your weekly benefit amount (WBA) cannot be more than the maximum weekly benefit amount, which is determined each year by law. Click here to view the maximum weekly benefit amount.
The minimum weekly benefit amount is set by law at $5 a week.
Your claim is good for one year from the effective date of the claim; however, you can be paid for only 26 weeks of total unemployment during the one-year period that your claim is effective.
The benefit estimator can be used as a quick reference for determining your approximate potential benefit amount. This is only an estimate based on information you are providing. It may differ from your actual benefit amount. Click here to go to the benefit estimator.
You must submit your weekly or bi-weekly claim certifications on time and meet all eligibility requirements to be paid. The weekly claim certifications are due within 7 days after the week ending date. The bi-weekly claim certifications are due within 7 days after the second week ending date. If you are on a partial or part-total claim status, your employer must submit the “Weekly Report of Low Earnings” via Electronic Low Earnings Reporting and Monitoring (ELERM) online. Payment is by Direct Deposit.
File your claim certifications online. Go to https://uiclaims.hawaii.gov
You must have an online UI account in order to enroll in direct deposit. Create a new account or access your existing account by going to uiclaims.hawaii.gov and completing the online application.
To ensure the account number and financial institution’s routing number are correct, it is recommended you utilize the bank routing number and account information on your personal check. If you wish to have benefits deposited to a savings account, contact your financial institution to obtain the correct routing and account information. Your Direct Deposit information only needs to be submitted once per claim, unless your bank information changes.
In addition to having been paid sufficient wages to establish a valid claim, you must meet the following eligibility requirements before you can be paid unemployment insurance benefits:
- You must be either totally unemployed, or working less than your normal hours and earning less than your weekly benefit amount.
- If you are a Hawaii resident, you will be automatically registered for work with HireNetHawaii, the State Workforce Development Division’s (WDD) online platform that provides a variety of employment services to job seekers. Visit the Workforce Development Division webpage to learn more about WDD services and programs for job seekers. If you are residing and seeking work in another state, you must register for work and maintain an active registration with the Employment Service or American Job Center office in your local area.
If you’re a member of a labor union with a job placement service, you need to have your union submit Verification of Registration for Work (Form UC-226) within seven (7) days of your application for unemployment benefits. This verifies that you’re in good standing and looking for work through your union. If your union can’t refer you for work, contact us.
Unemployment Insurance Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272
Contact Form: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form
- You must be physically able to work and available for work without any major restrictions such as, but not limited to, no transportation, lack of childcare, attendance at school which affects your availability for work, or other personal circumstances. If you become physically unable to work due to injury or illness after you apply for unemployment, you may still be eligible under the medical waiver section of the law, if your illness or injury is evidenced by a doctor’s certificate, you are on active claim status and registered to work, and do not refuse any suitable work because of the injury or illness.
- You must serve a waiting period, normally the first week you are unemployed after you file your claim, meet all eligibility requirements, and are not otherwise disqualified.
- You must file a continued claim for each week that you wish to receive benefits and the continued claim must be filed on time (within 7 days after the period being claimed, or within 14 days with good cause for late filing).
- You must be actively seeking work and make at least three job contacts each week which may include the following: contacting employers, checking resources at employment offices, checking job listings in HireNetHawaii (the state’s internet based job matching system), attending job fairs or employment workshops. You must keep a record of all your work search contacts and submit it when requested by your local claims office. Go to https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/files/2024/07/UC-253-Record-of-Work-Search-Activities.pdf.pdf and print “UC-253, Record of Contacts Made for Work.”
- You are not a teacher or other educational employee filing during a school break with reasonable assurance to return to work after the break.
- You are not a professional athlete filing between sports seasons.
- You are not an illegal alien.
- Retirement income from a pension plan that was financed 100% by a base period employer is deductible from your weekly benefit amount. Retirement income is NOT deductible if you contributed any amount to the pension plan. There is no deduction for social security or railroad retirement benefits. If you are receiving retirement income that must be deducted from your weekly benefit amount, your local claims office will send you a determination notice explaining the amount deductible.
- You will not be paid if you are disqualified for any of the following reasons:
- You voluntarily quit your job without good cause.
- You were discharged for misconduct connected with your work.
- You refused a referral or an offer of suitable work without good cause.
- You are unemployed because of a work stoppage at your establishment due to a labor dispute.
- You are receiving or seeking other unemployment insurance benefits.
- You committed fraud to collect unemployment insurance benefits.
You must register for work with the State Workforce Development Division (WDD) within seven calendar days after applying for benefits. To register for work, you must post your resume online at https://www.hirenethawaii.com, the internet job matching system used by WDD. You must post your resume on the website by making it available to employers online and in the virtual one-stop format.
Internet computers are available at the One-Stop centers or at public libraries. If you need help in completing your registration, click on “Post Job Resume Online” or call/visit a One-Stop center. The addresses and phone numbers are in the back of the “Unemployment Insurance Handbook” or go to https://labor.hawaii/gov/wdd.
You must continue to keep your resume active for the entire time you are filing for unemployment benefits by reviewing and updating your resume.
You can earn up to $150 a week and still receive your full unemployment check. If you are still attached to your regular employer, not working or working less than your customary full-time hours and earning less than your weekly benefit amount, you may qualify for the difference between your earnings over $150 and your weekly benefit amount. For example, if you earn $200 during a week and your weekly benefit amount is $300, you can still receive $250. However, if your earnings during the week equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, you will not be entitled to benefits.
If you are still attached to your regular employer, the following rules apply:
- Your employer must complete and return form UC-348, Verification of Partial Unemployment Status, within 5 working days from the date mailed.
- Your employer must submit “Weekly Report of Low Earnings” online to verify your earnings and eligibility for each week claimed. See “How do I get paid” section of the FAQ.
- You must not refuse any suitable available work during the week in question.
If you received a notice denying you unemployment insurance benefits, you can either request reconsideration or an appeal. Requests for reconsideration and appeals can be mailed to your local claims office. Requests for appeals can also be mailed directly to the Employment Security Appeals Referee Office (ESARO) or appeal online at https://uiclaims.hawaii.gov. For a list of the local claims offices click here. For ESARO contact information click here.
Your request must be in writing, either on a department form or by letter, and filed within 10 calendar days after the date the notice was mailed to you. If your appeal is filed late but within 30 calendar days, the appeals referee may still allow the appeal if good cause is shown.
If you request reconsideration, the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division will decide whether the decision can be reversed; if it cannot, then the request may be forwarded as an appeal to the ESARO or a redetermination may be issued to you affirming the original determination. You have the right to appeal a redetermination affirming the original determination.
*If you file an appeal or request reconsideration, do not stop filing your claim certifications.
The ESARO, which is independent from the UI Division, will schedule a hearing and notify you and other interested parties (such as your former employer on a voluntary quit or discharge issue) of the date and time of the hearing.
If the appeals referee affirms the UI Division’s decision denying you unemployment insurance benefits, your next recourse is to file for judicial review by the Hawaii Circuit Court.
If you move to another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, or the Virgin Islands, you may still receive benefits from Hawaii, provided you meet Hawaii’s eligibility requirements. To file your claim against Hawaii, file online at https://uiclaims.hawaii.gov. (See section on “How do I apply for unemployment insurance?”)
When you establish a claim against Hawaii while residing out-of-state, the state you are filing from is called the “agent state,” since it acts as the agent for Hawaii in processing your claim. Hawaii’s your “liable state,” and will make all determinations and payments on your claim. In most cases you should deal directly with Hawaii’s Liable Interstate Unit, which you can contact by phone or in writing for assistance on your claim.
If you have any questions regarding your interstate claim or need assistance, contact:
Hawaii Liable Interstate Unit
830 Punchbowl Street, Room 110
Honolulu, HI 96813
UI Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or +1 (833) 901-2272
Contact Form: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form
Yes. If you worked for the federal government in the past 18 months, you should have your Standard Form 8, Standard Form 50 or pay stubs available. IMPORTANT: Do not delay your filing if you do not have your Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50 or pay stubs. You can provide this documentation at a later date.
If you were in the military in the past 18 months, you must present your Member 4 of the DD-214 to your local claims office. IMPORTANT: Do not delay your filing if you do not have your DD-214. You can provide this documentation at a later date.
For ex-military servicepersons, you can choose to file your unemployment claim against any state regardless of where you were stationed in the military. However, you must be in that state at the time of filing. If you want to file against Hawaii, you must be in Hawaii at the time you apply for the initial claim for benefits and thereafter, you can relocate to another state and continue to file for benefits on your Hawaii claim.
Yes. You may elect to withhold 10% for federal taxes and 5% for Hawaii state taxes from your UI benefits. To request withholdings of Federal and/or State taxes, go to: https://uiclaims.hawaii.gov. Login to your online account and under “My Account” click on “Tax Withholdings” and follow the prompts.
Form 1099-G is mailed every January showing the total benefits paid and any federal or state income taxes withheld in the previous calendar year. Also, as no adjustments are made for repayments of overpaid benefits, you need to keep your receipts of the repayment for your tax returns. Make any address change(s) on your UI online account to receive your Form 1099-G or contact a local claims office.
Your eligibility will be determined by whether a work stoppage existed at the establishment where you were last employed. Information will be obtained from your employer and from your union representatives to make this determination. If no work stoppage exists and you meet all other requirements, benefits will be allowed.
A Notice of Decision on Unemployment Insurance Claim covering the weeks you filed for will be sent to you. Other decisions may also be made to determine your eligibility. Information which you should report include: strike pay, sick pay, vacation pay, social security, pensions, disability or illnesses, schooling, trips, and self-employment. If more information is needed, you will be contacted by a claims examiner to make this determination.
