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 Maine’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.
You can learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here. Navigate to the tab labeled “How much can I receive?” for an explanation of weekly benefit amounts.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Maine, you must:
You can learn more about Maine’s requirements to qualify for Unemployment here.
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.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Maine, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Maine’s Unemployment claim portal. To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call 1-800-593-7660.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact Maine’s Department of Labor’s customer service center Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST at:
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in Maine. To determine how much an applicant will receive in Unemployment Benefits each week, the Maine Department of Labor takes the average of your wages in your two highest-earning quarters and divides that figure by 22.
The maximum weekly benefit amount is $445 plus $10 per dependent.
To learn more about how benefits are calculated, click here.
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 or by phone at 1-800-593-7660 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 here.
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.
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.
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 or by phone at 1-800-593-7660.
It’s important to remember that your Unemployment Benefits may be denied or delayed if you fail to submit your weekly certification.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit your appeal to the Main Department of Labor within 15 days of the mailing date of the denial.
To file an appeal online, log into the MDOL ReemployMe System here. You must use the same login credentials that you used during the application process.
To file your appeal by email, send an email explaining your intent to appeal to Admin.Hearings@Maine.gov.
To file by phone, call the MDOL appeals line at (207) 621-5001.
Finally, you can fax your appeal to the MDOL at (207) 287-5949.
If you have general questions about Maine Unemployment Benefits, call the Maine Department of Labor’s customer service center at (800)-593-7660.
Contact your local Unemployment Office or visit an office in person. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
Find answers to other topics related to Unemployment Insurance on the Maine Department of Labor’s FAQs page here.
All Maine Department of Labor phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST, except for observed holidays listed here.
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 or download our free guide here.
For general questions about Maine Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) at 1-800-593-7660.
For questions about appeals or submitting an appeal to the DOL, you can reach the appeals line at 1 (207) 621-5001.
The Maine DOL phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST.
Additionally, you can send in your questions to the DOL online by filling out an inquiry form. Find inquiry form here.
You may need to contact your local Unemployment Insurance office for answers to specific questions or application assistance. Find contact information for all Maine Unemployment Offices below. Or, go to the Maine Career Center location page here.
| Location | Address | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0109 | (207) 624-5120 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Bangor | 45 Oak Street, Suite 3, Bangor, ME 04401-7902 | (207) 561-4050 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Brunswick | 29 Sewall Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011 | (207) 721-8200 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Calais | One College Drive, Calais, ME 04619-0415 | (207) 454-7551 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Hinckley | 23 Stanley Road, Hinckley, ME 04944 | (207) 474-4950 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Lewiston | 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston, ME 04240 | 207) 753-9001 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Machias | 53 Prescott Drive, Suite 1, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-1900 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Greater Portland | 151 Jetport Blvd, Portland, ME 04102 | (207) 822-3300 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Presque Isle | 66 Spruce Street, Suite 1, Presque Isle, ME 04769-322 | (207) 768-6829 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Rockland | 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland, ME 04841-3424 | (207) 594-1428 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Springvale | 9 Bodwell Court, Springvale, ME 04083 | (207) 324-5460 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Wilton | 865 US Route 2E, Wilton, ME 04294-6649 | (207) 645-5800 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
To find more information on Idaho Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
To file an Unemployment Insurance online:
To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on Maine Unemployment Insurance, visit theMaine Department of Labor (DOL) COVID-19 information page here.
If you have a question about Idaho Business Unemployment Insurance:
All Maine Department of Labor phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST, except for observed holidays listed here.
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 or download our free guide here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Maine, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Maine’s Unemployment claim portal. To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call 1-800-593-7660.
For questions about the application process or if you require assistance, contact Maine’s Department of Labor (DOL) customer service center Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST at:
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your claim by logging in to the Maine ReemployMe portal here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the Maine DOL customer service line at 1-800-593-7660 from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST.
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 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. You can find the Maine claimant portal here. Alternatively, you can submit weekly claims by phone at 1-800-593-7660.
You can learn more about the waiting period and when to expect benefits payments here.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit your appeal to the Main Department of Labor (DOL) within 15 days of the mailing date of a denial.
To file an appeal online, log into the MDOL ReemployMe System here. You must use the same login credentials that you used during the application process.
To file your appeal by email, send an email explaining your intent to appeal to Admin.Hearings@Maine.gov.
To file by phone, call the MDOL appeals line at (207) 621-5001.
Finally, you can fax your written appeal to the MDOL at (207) 287-5949.
Make sure you include the following information:
Do not provide your appeal in person or by mail.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the Maine Department of Labor at 1-800-593-7660.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
Find answers to other topics related to Unemployment Insurance on the Maine Department of Labor’s FAQs page here.
The Maine Department of Labor customer service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM EST, except for the observed holidays listed here.
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 or download our free guide here.