How to file for unemployment in Georgia

The online claim is usually the fastest way. Here is what to have ready, when your claim starts and what comes after you file.

All about unemployment in Georgia

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Filing, step by step

Apply online through the MyUI Claimant Portal (recommended), or in person at a GDOL career center. You need a personal email address to apply online. Computers are available at all career centers.

When to file and when your claim starts

Apply as soon as you lose your job. Your claim starts on the Sunday of the week you file. It is not paid back to your last day of work.

What to have ready

Your Social Security number
A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
Your Employer Separation Notice, if your employer gave you one
Names, addresses and dates of work for all employers in the last 18 months
If you are not a U.S. citizen: your alien number and its expiration date
Federal workers: SF-50 or SF-8 and pay stubs. Military: most recent DD-214, orders, leave and earnings statement or W-2
Your bank routing and account number if you want direct deposit

Certify (claim your weeks)

How often: Weekly. Request payment every week in MyUI after the week (Sunday to Saturday) ends. You have up to two weeks to request each week. You must request at least one week before GDOL reviews your claim, and if 3 weeks in a row go by without a request, your claim becomes inactive. You can also hand in the paper Weekly Request for Payment (DOL-421) at a career center.

Your first payment

If you are approved, payment is sent within 24 to 48 hours after the eligibility determination is mailed. You can choose direct deposit or a Georgia UI Way2Go debit card. If you have no letter or call within 19 days of applying, call 877-709-8185.

Register for work

Unless GDOL tells you that you are exempt, you must register with WorkSource Georgia (WorkSourceGAPortal.com) and upload or create a resume within 10 days of your first benefit payment. If you now live in another state, register with that state's workforce agency instead.

WorkSource Georgia

Paper forms

Law: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 300-2-4-.01, 300-2-4-.02

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

File with the unemployment program of the state where you worked. If you worked in another state or in several states, the agency in the state where you live now can tell you how to file with other states.
It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.

Free help

Call 1-877-709-8185. Legal aid and other free help in Georgia → Official sources →