- What Is Unemployment Insurance?
- What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
- How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
- When to Apply for Unemployment
- How to Apply for Kansas Unemployment Insurance
- How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
- I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
- What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
- How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
What Is Unemployment Insurance?
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 Kansas’ Unemployment Program Overview page here.
What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
Unemployment Insurance benefits are weekly payments that are given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments can be provided via a direct deposit to the beneficiary's bank account or through an unemployment debit card.
You can learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here.
How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Kansas, you must:
- Have lost your job due to no fault of your own.
- Be able to work.
- Be actively seeking work.
- Meet Kansas’ monetary and personal eligibility requirements.
Learn more about Kansas’ eligibility requirements to qualify for Unemployment here.
When to Apply for Unemployment
Apply for benefits online 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.
How to Apply for Kansas Unemployment
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Kansas, complete the following three steps:
- Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
- Choose how you are going to apply, whether online or by phone.
The Kansas Unemployment Office does not accept claims in person.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Kansas’ Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call the Kansas Department of Labor’s customer service center at (800) 292-6333.
You will be required to apply for benefits over the phone if:
- You worked in another state other than Kansas within the past 18 months
- You filed for unemployment insurance in a state other than Kansas within the past 12 months
- You were a federal employee or in the military service within the past 18 months
- Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Kansas Department of Labor’s customer service center at (913) 596-3500.
How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in Kansas. To determine how much you will receive each week, the Kansas Department of Labor considers the amount of wages you earned during your base period.
The minimum weekly benefit amount in Kansas is $147. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $589.
To find out more about the base period and how benefits are calculated, click here. You can also estimate your weekly benefit amount by using the Department of Labor’s benefits calculator here.
I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
- Report Your Waiting Week
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 here 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 Waiting Week here. Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
- Start Looking for Work
Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least two contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.
- Discuss Possible Issues
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 here.
What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
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. File your Weekly Certification Applications here.
It’s important to remember that your Unemployment Benefits may be delayed or denied if you do not file your weekly claim.
How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
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’s Office of Appeals by fax to (785) 296-4065, by email to KDOL.Appeals@ks.gov, or by mail to:
Office of Appeals
401 SW Topeka Boulevard, 2nd floor
Topeka, KS 66603-3182
Your appeal request must be in the format of a letter, which includes the following information:
- Your name
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your contact address and phone number
- The determination that you are appealing
Need More Help?
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Kansas Department of Labor at (800) 292-6333.
You may also contact the customer service center locally:
- Kansas City: (913) 596-3500
- Topeka: (785) 575-1460
- Wichita: (316) 383-9947
You can only reach a customer service representative by calling these phone lines Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, except on the observed holidays noted here.
You can also send questions regarding an Unemployment Insurance claim in writing via fax to (785) 296-3249 or by mail to this address:
Kansas Unemployment Contact Center
P.O. Box 3539
Topeka, KS 66601-3539
To send your questions by fax or mail, you must include the following information:
- Your name
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your signature
View or Download Our Free Guide
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.
- Contact the Kansas Department of Labor Unemployment Agency
- Unemployment Offices in Kansas
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
Contact the Kansas Department of Labor Unemployment Agency
If you have general questions about Kansas Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Kansas Department of Labor (DOL) customer service center at (800) 292-6333.
You can also contact the customer service center locally:
- Kansas City: (913) 596-3500
- Topeka: (785) 575-1460
- Wichita: (316) 383-9947
You can only reach a customer service representative by calling these phone lines Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, except on the observed holidays noted here.
You can also send questions regarding an Unemployment Insurance claim in writing via fax to (785) 296-3249 or by mail to this address:
Kansas Unemployment Contact Center
P.O. Box 3539
Topeka, KS 66601-3539
To send your questions by fax or mail, you must include the following information:
- Your name
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your signature
Unemployment Offices in Kansas
Kansas has 29 Unemployment Offices. Find your nearest local Unemployment Office’s location, hours of operation, and phone number. Or, go to the Kansas DOL Contact page here.
| Location | Address | Phone # |
| Chanute | Neosho County Community College 800 W. 14th Street Chanute, KS 66720 | Phone: (620) 431-2820Fax: (620) 431-2375 |
| Colby | KANSASWORKS Colby 350 South Range, Suite 5 Colby, KS 67701 | Phone: (785) 462-2024 |
| Dodge City | KANSASWORKS Dodge City 2308 First Avenue Dodge City, KS 67801 | Phone: (620) 227-2149Fax: (620) 227-9667 |
| El Dorado | Butler Workforce Center 524 N. Main St. El Dorado, KS 67042 | Phone: (316) 321-2350Fax: (316) 321-7653 |
| Emporia | KANSASWORKS Emporia 215 W. 6th Ave., Ste 107 Emporia, KS 66801 | Phone: (620) 342-3355Fax: (620) 342-2806 |
| Garden City | KANSASWORKS Garden City107 E. Spruce St.Garden City, KS 67846 | Phone: (620) 276-2339Fax: (620) 276-7306 |
| Goodland | KANSASWORKS Goodland 204 West 11th Goodland, KS 67735 | Phone: (785) 890-2422 |
| Great Bend | KANSASWORKS Great Bend 1025 Main St. Great Bend, KS 67530 | Phone: (620) 793-5445Fax: (620) 793-3188 |
| Hays | KANSASWORKS Hays 332 E. 8th Street Hays, KS 67601 | Phone: (785) 625-5654 Fax: (785) 625-0092 |
| Hays | KANSASWORKS Mobile Workforce Center 332 E. 8th Street Hays, KS 67601-4145 | Phone: (785) 625-5654 Fax: (785) 625-0092 |
| Hutchinson | KANSASWORKS Hutchinson 609 E. 14th Ave. Hutchinson, KS 67501 | Phone: (620) 665-3559 Fax: (620) 728-8161 |
| Independence | KANSASWORKS Independence 317 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Independence, KS 67301 | Phone: (620) 332-5904 Fax: (620) 331-0856 |
| Junction City | Junction City Workforce Center 1012 W 6th Street, Suite A Junction City, KS 66441 | Phone: (785) 762-8870Fax: (785) 762-3078 |
| Kansas City | Wyandotte County Workforce Center 626 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 | Phone: (913) 279-2600 Fax: (913) 342-9676 |
| Lawrence | Lawrence Workforce Center 2920 Haskell Avenue, Ste 2 Lawrence, KS 66046 | Phone: (785) 840-9675Fax: (785) 865-5465 |
| Leavenworth | Leavenworth County Workforce Center 515 Limit Street Suite 200 Leavenworth, KS 66048 | Phone: 913-651-1800 Fax: 913-682-1804 |
| Leavenworth | Leavenworth (Vet Outreach) 4101 South 4th Street Leavenworth, KS 66048 | Phone: 913-946-1537 Fax: 913-684-2598 |
| Lenexa | Johnson County Workforce Center 8535 Bluejacket St Lenexa, KS 66214 | Phone: 913-577-5900 Fax: 913-642-726 |
| Liberal | KANSASWORKS Liberal 2215 N. Kansas Ave. Liberal, KS 67901 | Phone: 620-417-1958 |
| Manhattan | Manhattan Vets Center 205 S. 4th Street, Suite 1B Manhattan, KS 66502 | Phone: (785) 350-4920Fax: (785) 539-4982 |
| Manhattan | Manhattan Workforce Center 205 S. 4th Street, Suite K Manhattan, KS 66502 | Phone: (785) 539-5691Fax: (785) 539-5697 |
| Newton Remote Access Center | KANSASWORKS Newton 203 E. Broadway Newton, KS 67114 | Phone: (316) 283-7000 Fax: 316-283-2016 |
| Paola | KANSASWORKS Paola 1 S. Pearl, Suite A Paola, KS 66071 | Phone: 913-937-9462 Fax: 913-937-9463 |
| Pittsburg | KANSASWORKS Pittsburg 216 North Broadway Suite K Pittsburg, KS 66762 | Phone: (620) 231-4250 Fax: (620) 231-6448 |
| Salina | KANSASWORKS Salina 203 N. 10th Street Salina, KS 67401 | Phone: (785) 827-0385 Fax: (785) 827-2307 |
| Topeka | Topeka Workforce Center 1430 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66612 | Phone: (785) 235-5627 Fax: (785) 233-5899 |
| Wellington Sumner County Workforce Center | Sumner County Workforce Center 314 N. Washington Ave. Wellington, KS 67152 | Phone: (620) 326-2659 Fax: (620) 326-5225 |
| Wichita | Wichita Workforce Center 2021 N Amidon, Suite 1100 Wichita, KS 67203 | Phone: 316-771-6800 Fax: 316-771-6890 |
| Winfield | Cowley County Workforce Center 108 East 12th Avenue Winfield, KS 67156 | Phone: (620) 221-7790 |
Need More Help?
To find more information on Kansas Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
- The Kansas Department of Labor (DOL) website here.
- The Kansas DOL Frequently Asked Questions page here.
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim online or by phone:
- Visit the Kansas Unemployment Insurance claimant portal here.
- Call (800) 292-6333.
View or Download Our Free Guide
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.
- How to Apply for Kansas Unemployment Insurance
- How to Check Your Application Status
- The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
- How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
How to Apply for Kansas Unemployment Insurance
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Kansas, complete the following three steps:
- Gather the documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
- Choose how you are going to apply, whether online or by phone.
The Kansas Unemployment Office does not accept claims in person.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Kansas’ Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call the Kansas Department of Labor’s customer service center at (800) 292-6333.
You will be required to apply for benefits over the phone if:
- You worked in another state other than Kansas within the past 18 months
- You filed for unemployment insurance in a state other than Kansas within the past 12 months
- You were a federal employee or in the military service within the past 18 months
- Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing a claim.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Kansas Department of Labor’s customer service center at (913) 596-3500.
How to Check Your Application Status
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging in to the portal here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the Kansas Department of Labor’s customer service center at (800) 292-6333.
The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
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 Waiting Week here.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
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’s Office of Appeals by fax to (785) 296-4065, by email to KDOL.Appeals@ks.gov, or by mail to:
Office of Appeals
401 SW Topeka Boulevard, 2nd floor
Topeka, KS 66603-3182
Your appeal request must be in the format of a letter, which includes the following information:
- Your name
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your contact address and phone number
- The determination that you are appealing
Need More Help?
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Kansas Department of Labor at (800) 292-6333.
You may also contact the customer service center locally:
- Kansas City: (913) 596-3500
- Topeka: (785) 575-1460
- Wichita: (316) 383-9947
You can only reach a customer service representative by calling these phone lines Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, except on the observed holidays noted here.
You can also send questions regarding an Unemployment Insurance claim in writing via fax to (785) 296-3249 or by mail to this address:
Kansas Unemployment Contact Center
P.O. Box 3539
Topeka, KS 66601-3539
To send your questions by fax or mail, you must include the following information:
- Your name
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your signature
View or Download Our Free Guide
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.
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