Unemployment Insurance

The University pays the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the cost of your Unemployment Compensation. You may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits if you lose your job through no fault of your own. Unemployment compensation is coordinated through the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance, which determines your eligibility.

There are two ways to file a claim for benefits.

Filing a Claim at a Walk-In Center

You can file your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim at any number of Walk-Centers located throughout Massachusetts. Some Walk-In Centers have limited hours, so check the hours of the Walk-In Center nearest you. Services include assistance with filing a new claim for UI, reopening an existing claim, or resolving problems with your current claim.

For the location of the nearest Walk-In Center call 617-626-6560. After hearing the greeting, enter the number 331 on the keypad of a touch-tone telephone. When asked to do so, enter the first five digits of your zip code. You will be given the address of the Walk-In Center nearest you.

UI orientation sessions are also held at these Walk-In Centers. Orientation includes information regarding your rights and responsibilities while collecting UI, and about the services available to you, including reemployment assistance. Orientation sessions are open to all claimants—whether they file their claims in person or by telephone.

Using TeleClaim Centers to File a Claim

UI services are also available by telephone. You can file a new claim for UI, reopen a current claim, be interviewed if there are issues that affect your eligibility, obtain up-to-date information on the status of your claim and benefit payment check, and resolve problems—all by telephone. Call the TeleClaim Center at 1-877-626-6800 if you are calling from the following area codes: 351, 413, 508, 774, and 978. Call 617-626-6800 if you are calling from any other area code.

When you call your regional UI TeleClaim Center, you will be asked to enter some information using the numbers on a touch-tone telephone before being transferred to an agent, who will take the information needed to file your claim.

Before You File

The University will give you a copy of the pamphlet “How to File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits,” which is prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development, Division of Unemployment Assistance, and outlines what you must do to file an UI claim. In addition, the state makes available “Unemployment Insurance: A Guide To Benefits and Unemployment Services.” In this you can learn about your rights and responsibilities as a claimant, choices you have for collecting your benefits if you are eligible, retraining opportunities, and services provided by the state to help you return to work as quickly as possible.