How does unemployment work in MA? Complete beginner needs DUA basics explained

You'll want to file your claim with DUA as soon as you become unemployed, not before. The process starts on the DUA website where you'll create a MyMassGov account. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and bank info for direct deposit. Your weekly benefit amount will be roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum which is currently around $855 per week. Regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks, but you have to file weekly claims and meet job search requirements.

the job search thing is you have to apply to 3 jobs every week and keep a log of where you applied. DUA can ask to see it anytime so dont skip it or youll get in trouble

Just went through this whole process myself last year. The DUA website can be confusing at first but once you get your claim established it's pretty straightforward. Make sure you have all your employment dates and wages ready when you apply - they'll verify everything with your past employers. One thing that tripped me up was the waiting week - you don't get paid for your first week of unemployment.

ugh the DUA phone system is THE WORST if you need to talk to someone. I spent literally hours trying to get through when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Someone on here recommended this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a DUA agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/ok4BhTU0_EI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to sort out a wage issue.

The system is honestly pretty broken tbh. You'll file your claim and then wait weeks for approval while bills pile up. Half the time their website crashes during peak hours and don't even get me started on trying to reach someone by phone. BUT if everything goes smoothly you should get your first payment within 2-3 weeks of filing. Just be prepared for potential delays and have some savings if possible.

Hey Yuki, I just went through this process a few months ago after getting laid off from my tech job. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront is to screenshot or print out everything during the application process - confirmation numbers, claim details, etc. The DUA system sometimes glitches and you'll want that documentation if issues come up later. Also, even though you can't file before you're unemployed, you can start gathering all your paperwork now (pay stubs, employment letters, bank info) so you're ready to file immediately when it happens. The faster you get your claim in, the sooner your waiting period starts ticking. Good luck with everything!

One more thing to add - make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs. fired for cause, as this affects your eligibility. If you're being laid off due to company downsizing or lack of work (which sounds like your situation), you should be fine. But if there's any dispute about the reason for separation, DUA will investigate and that can delay your claim. Also, keep in mind that any severance pay you receive might affect when your benefits start - they'll ask about severance during the application process. The key is to be completely honest about everything, including any part-time work or income you might have while collecting benefits. They cross-reference with wage records so transparency is crucial.

Don't forget that you can also do some preliminary research on the DUA website even before you file - they have a benefit calculator tool that can give you a rough estimate of your weekly benefit amount based on your wages. Also, if you're in a union or have any kind of employment contract, check if there are specific provisions about layoffs or unemployment that might affect your situation. One last tip: when you do file, try to do it early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) rather than Friday - if there are any issues with your application, you'll have more time during the business week to get help before the weekend hits.

I went through unemployment in MA back in 2022 and wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me. First, set up your direct deposit info correctly from the start - any mistakes there can really delay your payments. Second, keep a dedicated email folder for all DUA communications because you'll get a lot of emails and some contain important deadlines. Third, if you're planning to do any freelance or gig work while collecting benefits, make sure you report ALL income when you file your weekly claims - even $20 from a side job needs to be reported or you could face penalties later. The income might reduce your weekly benefit but it won't disqualify you entirely. Also, consider signing up for job alerts on multiple sites (Indeed, LinkedIn, state job board) right away so you can start building that job search log from day one. The whole process is definitely stressful but it's manageable if you stay organized and follow the rules exactly as they're written.