Unemployment Benefits in Alaska - Answers to Common Questions

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Authored By: Alaska Legal Services

Common questions about unemployment benefits

For the latest updates on employment benefits in Alaska, or to apply for benefits, please visit the AK Department of Labor's website.


Can I apply for unemployment benefits if I’m unable to work because I am sick?

To receive unemployment benefits a claimant must be unemployed and be ready and able to work. If you are still employed but using sick leave, personal leave, or Family Medical leave you are not eligible for Unemployment Benefits.
Being too sick to work may mean that you do not qualify for unemployment benefits during the weeks you are unable to work. You may qualify for unemployment benefits if you are still able to do other work in your field by working remotely.

Prior to September 6th, 2021 there were benefits specifically available to those who were impacted by Covid-19. Those benefits have now expired.

For more information about unemployment benefits, or to apply, see the Alaska Department of Labor website, call the nearest claim center, or try (888) 252-2557. An online application is available at MyAlaska.gov.

Can I apply for unemployment benefits if my employer has allowed me to work remotely from home, I am working part time, or am on call?

You can file a claim and your eligibility will be reviewed. You will need to report any hours worked and earnings during each week you file for benefits if you worked that week. It is very important to report hours and earnings if you work to prevent an overpayment of benefits. 

For more information about unemployment benefits, or to apply, see the Alaska Department of Labor website, call the nearest claim center, or try (888) 252-2557. An online application is available at MyAlaska.gov. 


I have to take care of my children, can I apply for unemployment benefits?

Maybe. Unemployment requires claimants to be ready and able to work. If you cannot accept full time work because of childcare obligations you may not be eligible for benefits. However, you may still be eligible if you have a compelling reason for being the child care provider, and you have a reasonable prospect of full time work while maintaining your childcare obligation. For example, if night shifts are common in your field, or another job in your field could be done remotely, you may still be eligible for benefits.

For more information about unemployment benefits, or to apply, see the Alaska Department of Labor website, call the nearest claim center, or try (888) 252-2557. An online application is available at MyAlaska.gov. 

 

I quit my job to care for an immediate family member. Can I apply for unemployment benefits?

Maybe. The illness of others can be good cause for refusing work if:

  1. The illness required to be physically present with your family member; and
  2. There was no alternative but to refuse the job in order to meet the obligation.

Caring for your sick child, caring for a sick spouse when there is no other care available, or caring for an immediate family member when there is no other care available may be good cause to refuse work. Not every illness will require you to be physically present or to provide care. Every circumstance is different.

For more information about unemployment benefits, or to apply, see the Alaska Department of Labor website, call the nearest claim center, or try (888) 252-2557. An online application is available at MyAlaska.gov. 
 

Do I have to prove I am looking for work to receive unemployment benefits?

Yes. Workers filing for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must actively seek and report timely a required number of work searches, starting with the week in which a claim is filed, unless instructed otherwise. It is important that you follow any instructions on work searches given by the Department of Labor.

As of September, 2023

Two work search contacts must be reported when:

  • The worker lives in Alaska and is within 55 road miles of a job center; or resides in another state, Canada, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

One work search contact must be reported when:

  • The worker lives more than 55 road miles from the nearest job center in rural Alaska.

 

How long do I have to wait to receive my unemployment benefits?

All new claims are subject to a ‘waiting week’. The ‘waiting week’ is the first week in which you were eligible to receive benefits. You will not receive payment for this week, however you must claim for this week to receive your ‘waiting week’ credit. Your ‘waiting week’ will not be deducted from your benefit amount. If you are experiencing a delay in receiving your benefits call (888) 252-2557 or the claim center nearest you. You may also be able to review your benefits on your MyAlaska account.

 

I received a notice that my application was denied or my benefits were stopped. What can I do now?

Any time you receive a notice that your benefits were denied, changed, or that you owe the division for an overpayment, it is extremely important that you act quickly. It is also important that you respond quickly to notices finding that you voluntarily quit a job without good cause, refused an offer of work, or were fired for misconduct.
Once the notice is issued you have 30 days to appeal. You have an additional three days to appeal any determination sent to you by mail. If the last day of the time limit falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, you have until the next business day to file the appeal.


To file an appeal you need to contact the Appeal Tribunal Office and request an appeal. You can file an appeal by Email, Fax, Mail, or Phone.
The contact information for the Appeal Tribunal is:
     P.O. Box 115509
     Juneau, AK 99811-5509
     Phone: (800) 232-4762
     Fax: (907) 465-3374
     Email: appeals@alaska.gov
 

I received an "overpayment" notice saying I owe money because of unemployment benefits. What do I do now?

If you receive an overpayment notice it is extremely important you act quickly. Just like denials, overpayment determinations must be appealed within 30 days.

To appeal you need to contact the Appeal Tribunal office and request an appeal. The contact information for the Appeal Tribunal is:
     P.O. Box 115509
     Juneau, AK 99811-5509
     Phone: (800) 232-4762
     Fax: (907) 465-3374
 
In addition to challenging the determination that you have an overpayment, you may also be eligible for waiver of the debt. To apply for waiver you need to request waiver from the Benefit Payment Control Unit within 30 days. You can do that by contacting the office directly or by submitting an application.

The contact information for the Benefit Control Office is:
     Benefit Payment Control Unit
     Email: jnu.bpc@alaska.gov
     Phone: (907) 465-2863/(888) 810-6789
     Fax: (907) 465-6010
The waiver application is available online at the Department of Labor website.

 

Where can I find more information on appealing and waivers?

Learn More
For more information on how to protect you and your family from COVID-19, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/
http://dhss.alaska.gov/
https://www.who.int/
 
Legal Help
Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) provides free civil, non-criminal, legal help to eligible clients. ALSC is accepting intake applications through our toll-free intake line at 1-888-478-2572 or by filling out an application.
 
Legal Forms

To apply for unemployment benefits, see the Alaska Department of Labor website, call the nearest claim center, or try (888) 252-2557. An online application is available at MyAlaska.gov. 

 
Need More Help?

Alaska Dept. of Labor website or call (888) 252-2557

AlaskaLawHelp's guide to Cash or Rental Assistance Options in Alaska.

Last Review and Update: Sep 20, 2023
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