State unemployment insurance offices keep records of all recipient's unemployment history, including claims filed and the benefits paid. If you want to locate your personal unemployment history, start with the state where you collected unemployment benefits. If you filed an interstate claim, you'll need to contact the paying state, not the state where you live. Checking your history online is generally the fastest option, but you can also call or write to your state's unemployment office for information about your case. The exact process will vary depending on your state, but the general steps are the same.
Step 1
Go to your state's unemployment website. For example, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity handles unemployment claims. In New York, you'll need to visit the Department of Labor website. In Texas, it's the Workforce Commission.
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Step 2
Enter your Social Security number and/or case number, depending on what your state requires to access your benefit information.
Step 3
Look for a "Claim History" tab to view all of the unemployment claims you've filed.
Step 4
Click on a Payments or Benefits link for an option that says "View Benefit History" or something similar. You'll have access to the dates and amounts of all your past payments. You can also view the deposit method, such as direct deposit into your bank account or deposit onto a state-issued unemployment compensation debit card.
Step 5
Check for the option to view your 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, which lists the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits you received during the year. The state sends you the form at the end of the year, but you can generally access this year and past years online.
Step 6
Call or write to your state's unemployment office if you can't get the information you need online. Provide information to verify your identity, such as your Social Security number or case number.
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