www.dir.alabama.gov File Alabama Unemployment Claim by Telephone

Unemployment compensation in Alabama is managed by Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, the office that regulates unemployment and workers compensation benefits in the state of Alabama. The office can be found online at www.dir.alabama.gov. This site provides access to information and forms required to file for new unemployment benefits, file for a weekly claim certification, or to update your information. You can also find information regarding how to file for HEB (high unemployment extended benefits compensation) once your regular unemployment benefits have been exhausted.

When you find out that you're unemployed, apply for benefits as soon as possible. Even if you don't think you need the funds at the moment, many individuals find themselves without employment for a longer period than they initially expected, especially when economic conditions are unfavorable. Since benefits aren't retroactive, if you don't apply immediately, you may not receive all the benefits you were entitled to receive. With the current state of economic uncertainty, it's more important than ever to make sure you collect every penny of unemployment benefits to help ensure your financial stability.

You can file your claim from any touch-tone telephone by calling the Initial Claims Line (toll free) at 1-866-234-5382. Your call will be answered by an electronic Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which will ask you some initial questions. You will then be automatically connected to one of our friendly Customer Service Representatives to complete your claim. We recommend that you do not use a Cellular telephone for this process because calls may be dropped by your service prior to our system saving the information.
If you are on a temporary lay-off and will be going back to work for the same employer, your employer may have arranged to file your claim at your place of employment. Check with your employer if you think this has been arranged.

You will need your social security number and the name, correct address, and dates of employment for your most recent employer. In order to verify your identity, we will also need a driver's license or state issued ID card number and your mother's maiden name. If you are separating from the military, you will also need the member 4 copy of your DD214. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide us with your work authorization number.