While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Unemployment Insurance is a benefit program designed to replace part of the income of recently unemployed or underemployed workers. Unemployment Insurance is available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.
Learn more about Unemployment on Georgia’s Unemployment Program Overview page here.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits are weekly payments given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments are typically provided via direct deposits to the beneficiary’s bank account or through a UI Way2Go Debit Card.
Learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here. Learn more about the UI Way2Go Debit Card here.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Georgia, you must:
Learn more about Georgia’s eligibility requirements on page 4 of this handbook [PDF download].
Apply for benefits here during the week you are seeking payment, when your hours have been reduced or when you are no longer employed. Do NOT wait until the week is over.
Learn more information on when to apply for Unemployment Insurance here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Georgia, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
The Georgia Unemployment Office does not accept claims by phone, mail or fax.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Georgia’s Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in person, find your closest DOL Career Center here.
Georgia DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in Georgia. To determine the amount you will receive each week, the Georgia Department of Labor takes the two highest-earning quarters in the applicant’s base period and divides it by 42.
The minimum weekly benefit amount in Georgia is $55. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $365.
Learn more about Georgia’s base period and how benefits are calculated on page 13 of this handbook [PDF download].
The week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application on page 19 of this handbook [PDF download].
Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least three contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.
If you were discharged or quit your last job, expect a call (or email if that is your preferred contact method) to determine if you are eligible for unemployment insurance.
You can learn more about what to expect after applying on page 11 of this handbook [PDF download].
You must file a Weekly Certification Application every week you are receiving Unemployment Benefits until you are employed again. This weekly claim is like a follow-up application that certifies your continued eligibility for the program and proves you are actively applying for new jobs.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here, on page 19.
File your Weekly Certification Applications here.
It’s important to remember that you will stop receiving Unemployment Benefits and your Unemployment Claim will be canceled if you have not filed Weekly Certifications for two or more consecutive weeks.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal to the Department of Labor online, in person, by mail, email or fax.
To file an Unemployment Insurance appeal online, click here.
To submit an appeal request in person, by mail or fax, complete the form here [download] and submit it to the Georgia UI Appeals Tribunal:
Georgia Department of Labor
UI Appeals Tribunal
148 Andrew Young International Blvd. NE, Suite 525
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1734
You may not file an appeal by phone.
If you have general questions about Georgia Unemployment Benefits, call the Georgia Department of Labor’s customer service center at (404) 232-3180.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
Georgia DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
If you have general questions about Georgia Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) customer service center at (404) 232-3180.
You can all use the interactive Q&A Tool here.
If you would like to speak with a representative at the main office, you can also call (404) 232-3990.
If you have questions about appeals, you can contact the UI Appeals Tribunal by:
Or, learn about the appeals process and access the appeals request form here [download].
Georgia DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
There are 42 Career Center offices in Georgia. Or, go to the DOL Contact Us page here.
| Location | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Albany | 1608 South Slappey Blvd. Albany, GA 31701-2632 | Phone: (229) 430-5010 Fax: (229) 430-5027 TTY/TTD: (229) 430-5086 |
| Americus | 120 West Church Street Americus, GA 31709-3508 | Phone: (229) 931-2520 Fax: (229) 931-2433 TTY/TTD: (229) 931-6972 |
| Athens | 150 Evelyn C. Neely Drive Athens, GA 30601 | Phone: (706) 583-2550 Fax: (706) 369-5895 TTY/TTD: (706) 583-2834 |
| Atlanta | 223 Courtland St. N.E. Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30303 | Phone: (404) 232-4700 Fax: (404) 656-3519 TTY/TTD: (404) 656-3101 |
| Augusta | 601 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901-1427 | Phone: (706) 721-3131 Fax: (706) 721-7680 TTY/TTD: (706) 446-0240 |
| Bainbridge | 310 South Scott Street Bainbridge, GA 39819-4136 | Phone: (229) 248-2618 Fax: (229) 248-2681 TTY/TTD: (229) 248-2637 |
| Blue Ridge | 946 Appalachian Highway Blue Ridge, GA 30513 | Phone: (706) 632-2033 Fax: (706) 632-7316 TTY/TTD: (706) 632-0528 |
| Brunswick | 2517 Tara Lane Brunswick, GA 31520-2758 | Phone: (912) 264-7244 Fax: (912) 262-3334 TTY/TTD: (912) 554-3422 |
| Cairo | 225 5th Street N.E. Cairo, GA 39828 | Phone: (229) 377-6526 Fax: (229) 377-8013 TTY/TTD: (229) 377-7491 |
| Carrollton | 275 Northside Drive Carrollton, GA 30117-1833 | Phone: (770) 836-6668 Fax: (770) 836-6770 TTY/TTD: (770) 836-6775 |
| Cartersville | 19 Felton Place Cartersville, GA 30120-2148 | Phone: (770) 387-3760 Fax: (770) 387-3766 TTY/TTD: (770) 387-4894 |
| Clayton County | Georgia Department of Labor 1630 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 200 College Park, GA 30349 | Phone: (678) 284-0200 Fax: (770) 909-2933 TTY/TTD: (678) 284-5727 |
| Cobb-Cherokee | Georgia Department of Labor 465 Big Shanty Road Marietta, GA 30066-3303 | Phone: (770) 528-6100 Fax: (770) 528-6139 TTY/TTD: (770) 528-3527 |
| Columbus | Georgia Department of Labor 700 Veterans Parkway Columbus, GA 31901-2933 | Phone: (706) 649-7423 Fax: (706) 649-1049 TTY/TTD: (706) 649-1284 |
| Covington | Georgia Department of Labor 7249 Industrial Boulevard, N.E. Covington, GA 30014-1499 | Phone: (770) 784-2455 Fax: (770) 784-2459 TTY/TTD: (770) 784-3002 |
| Dalton | 1406 Chattanooga Avenue Dalton, GA 30720-2630 | Phone: (706) 272-2301 Fax: (706) 272-2318 TTY/TTD: (706) 272-2304 |
| DeKalb | 774 Jordan Lane Bldg. #4 Decatur, GA 30033-5755 | Phone: (404) 679-5200 Fax: (404) 679-1713 TTY/TTD: (404) 486-6476 |
| Douglas | 70 Lockwood Drive Douglas, GA 31533-2108 | Phone: (912) 389-4254 Fax: (912) 389-4307 TTY/TTD: (912) 389-4735 |
| Dublin | 910 North Jefferson Street Dublin, GA 31021-6308 | Phone: (478) 275-6525 Fax: (478) 275-6599 TTY/TTD: (478) 296-6199 |
| Eastman | 5016 Park Way Eastman, GA 31023 | Phone: (478) 374-6405 Fax: (478) 374-6429 TTY/TTD: (478) 374-3306 |
| Gainesville | 2756 Atlanta Hwy Gainesville, GA 30504 | Phone: (770) 535-5484 Fax: (770) 531-5699 TTY/TTD: (770) 535-5728 |
| Griffin | 1514 Highway 16, West Griffin, GA 30223-2046 | Phone: (770) 228-7226 Fax: (770) 229-3287 TTY/TTD: (770) 229-3288 |
| Gwinnett County | 2211 Beaver Ruin Road Suite 160 Norcross, GA 30071-3328 | Phone: (770) 840-2200 Fax: (770) 613-4843 TTY/TTD: (770) 840-2258 |
| Habersham Area | 215 Hodges Street Suite 205 Cornelia, GA 30531-3294 | Phone: (706) 776-0811 Fax: (706) 776-0822 TTY/TTD: (706) 776-4999 |
| Hinesville | 140 East M L King Jr Drive Hinesville, GA 31313-3635 | Phone: (912) 447-0163 Fax: (912) 370-2598 TTY/TTD: (912) 370-2755 |
| Houston County | 96 Cohen Walker Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088-2729 | Phone: (478) 988-7130 Fax: (478) 988-7140 TTY/TTD: (478) 988-7150 |
| Kings Bay | 1712 Osborne Road Suite G St. Marys, GA 31558 | Phone: (912) 264-7244 Fax: (912) 262-3334 TTY/TTD: (912) 554-3422 |
| LaFayette | 200 West Villanow Street LaFayette, GA 30728-2432 | Phone: (706) 638-5525 Fax: (706) 638-5529 TTY/TTD: (706) 638-5470 |
| LaGrange | 1002 Longley Place LaGrange, GA 30240-5733 | Phone: (706) 845-4000 Fax: (706) 845-4005 TTY/TTD: (706) 845-4226 |
| Macon | 3090 Mercer University Drive Macon, GA 31204-5966 | Phone: (478) 751-6164 Fax: (478) 751-6639 TTY/TTD: (478) 751-6315 |
| Milledgeville | 156 Roberson Mill Road Milledgeville, GA 31061-4901 | Phone: (478) 445-5465 Fax: (478) 445-2040 TTY/TTD: (478) 445-3306 |
| Moultrie | 220 North Main Street Moultrie, GA 31768 | Phone: (229) 891-7147 Fax: (229) 891-7149 TTY/TTD: (229) 217-4100 |
| Rome | 462 Riverside Parkway, N.E. Rome, GA 30161-2942 | Phone: (706) 295-6051 Fax: (706) 295-6050 TTY/TTD: (706) 802-5338 |
| Savannah | 5520 White Bluff Road Savannah, GA 31405-6908 | Phone: (912) 356-2773 Fax: (912) 351-3800 TTY/TTD: (912) 303-1634 |
| Statesboro | 305 S Main Street Statesboro, GA 30458-5452 | Phone: (912) 447-0166 Fax: (912) 681-5228 TTY/TTD: (912) 486-2436 |
| Thomasville | 403 North Broad Street Thomasville, GA 31799-8113 | Phone: (229) 225-4033 Fax: (229) 225-5013 TTY/TTD: (229) 225-4044 |
| Thomson | 674 Washington Road Thomson, GA 30824 | Phone: (706) 595-3665 Fax: (706) 595-7209 TTY/TTD: (706) 597-8434 |
| Tifton | 310 South Tift Avenue Tifton, GA 31794-4828 | Phone: (229) 386-3322 Fax: (229) 386-7188 TTY/TTD: (229) 386-3616 |
| Toccoa | 37 Foreacre Street Toccoa, GA 30577-3582 | Phone: (706) 282-4514 Fax: (706) 282-4513 TTY/TTD: (706) 282-4591 |
| Valdosta | 221 South Ashley Street Valdosta, GA 31601-5611 | Phone: (229) 333-5211 Fax: (229) 333-5301 TTY/TTD: (229) 333-7529 |
| Vidalia | 206 Queen Street Suite 16 Vidalia, GA 30474 | Phone: (888) 741-6216 Fax: (912) 538-3238 TTY/TTD: (912) 538-3241 |
| Waycross | 600 Plant Avenue Waycross, GA 31501-3511 | Phone: (888) 741-6215 Fax: (912) 287-6550 TTY/TTD: (912) 338-5218 |
To find more information on Georgia Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim online:
If you have a question about Georgia Business Unemployment Insurance:
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Georgia, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
The Georgia Unemployment Office does not accept claims by phone, mail or fax.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Georgia’s Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in person, find your closest DOL Career Center here.
Georgia DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging into your account through the Georgia Claimant Portal here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the Georgia Department of Labor customer service center at (404) 232-3180 from Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
You will not begin receiving Unemployment Benefits immediately after submitting the application. By law, you must wait one week before finding out whether you will begin receiving benefits. This is called the Waiting Week.
The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application on page 19 of this handbook [PDF download].
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal to the Department of Labor online, in person, by mail, email or fax.
To file an Unemployment Insurance appeal online, click here.
To submit an appeal request in person, by mail or fax, complete the form here [download] and submit it to the Georgia UI Appeals Tribunal:
Georgia Department of Labor
UI Appeals Tribunal
148 Andrew Young International Blvd. NE, Suite 525
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1734
You may not file an appeal by phone.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Georgia Department of Labor customer service center at (404) 232-3180.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
Georgia DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM PST, except on observed holidays.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.