Unemployment if you quit or were fired in Alaska
The state's rules for quitting and for being fired are different. This page gives the state's own words.
All about unemployment in Alaska
Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.
Quit, fired or refused work
If you quit
If you quit your last suitable work without good cause, you are disqualified. You must report a quit so DOLWD can decide.
If you were fired
If you were fired for misconduct connected with your last work, you are disqualified. Misconduct includes breaking an employer's drug or alcohol policy that meets state law. If you were fired for a felony or theft connected with the work, the penalty is longer.
If benefits are denied for the separation
Quitting without good cause or misconduct: no benefits for the first week you are unemployed and the next five weeks, and your total benefits are cut by three times your weekly benefit amount. The disqualification ends if you go back to work and earn at least eight times your weekly benefit. Fired for a felony or theft connected with work: no benefits for 52 weeks or until you earn 20 times your weekly benefit amount.
Refusing work
Refusing suitable work or a job referral without good cause: no benefits for that week and the next five weeks, plus a three-week reduction in benefits.
Law: AS 23.20.379
Official source: Source page
You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.
Able, available and looking for work
Job contacts per week: 2
You must report work search activities for each week you claim, starting with the week you file, unless told otherwise. Report two activities a week if you live in Alaska within 55 road miles of a job center, or live in another state, Canada, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands; report one if you live more than 55 road miles from a job center in rural Alaska. Activities include contacting an employer who may have suitable work, reviewing an employer's job postings, a job center workshop or reemployment service, or a job interview.
Records to keep
For each activity, report the date, employer name, method of contact, and the employer's phone, address, website or email. DOLWD has a work search log; activities may be audited.
Law: AS 23.20.378
Official source: Source page
To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.
Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)
Noncitizens
What the state says
If you are not a U.S. citizen, have your alien registration number, work permit type, and passport number and expiration date ready when you apply.
Common reasons for a denial and what federal law says →
Free help
Call 907-269-4700. Legal aid and other free help in Alaska → Official sources →
More questions about unemployment in Alaska
Can I get unemployment in Alaska if I quit?
If you quit your last suitable work without good cause, you are disqualified. You must report a quit so DOLWD can decide.
Can I get unemployment in Alaska if I was fired?
If you were fired for misconduct connected with your last work, you are disqualified. Misconduct includes breaking an employer's drug or alcohol policy that meets state law.