If you're trying to reach Minnesota's unemployment agency, you're dealing with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, commonly called DEED. DEED administers the state's unemployment insurance (UI) program, handles claims, issues benefit payments, and manages the appeals process. Knowing how to contact the right part of the agency — and when — can save you significant time.
The primary contact number for unemployment insurance claimants in Minnesota is:
📞 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities metro area) 1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota, toll-free) TTY users: 1-866-814-1252
These lines connect you to DEED's Unemployment Insurance division. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, generally during standard business hours, though hours can shift during high-volume periods or state holidays. Wait times vary significantly — calling early in the week or early in the morning tends to mean longer queues, as those are peak contact periods.
Understanding what kind of help the phone line handles will help you decide whether to call or use another channel.
| Type of Issue | Phone Support | Online Portal (UICSS) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing a new initial claim | Limited | Preferred |
| Checking claim status | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly certifications | Yes (automated) | Yes |
| Payment questions | Yes | Yes |
| Adjudication/eligibility questions | Yes (agent) | No |
| Appeals scheduling | Separate process | No |
| Overpayment questions | Yes (agent) | Partial |
Minnesota's online system — called the UI Applicant Self-Service System (UICSS) — handles most routine functions, including filing initial claims, submitting weekly certifications, viewing payment history, and uploading documents. For many claimants, the online portal resolves their needs without a phone call.
However, if your claim has been flagged for adjudication (meaning an eligibility question is under review), if you received a determination you don't understand, or if there's a discrepancy in your payment, speaking with an agent is often necessary.
New claims in Minnesota are typically filed online through the UICSS portal at uimn.org. The system is available around the clock for filing, though processed during business hours. DEED generally recommends filing online rather than by phone, as it's faster and creates a timestamped record of your submission.
When you file, you'll need:
Minnesota has a one-week waiting period — meaning your first week of eligibility is unpaid. After that, you must submit weekly certifications to continue receiving benefits.
If you receive a determination on your claim that you disagree with — whether it's a denial, a disqualification for a particular week, or an overpayment notice — the appeals process in Minnesota runs through a separate unit.
The Unemployment Insurance Appeals Office handles first-level appeal hearings. Appeals in Minnesota are typically filed through the UICSS portal or by mail. The determination letter you receive will include specific instructions and deadlines for filing an appeal. Deadlines matter — missing the appeal window generally ends your right to contest that determination at that level.
Appeals hearings in Minnesota are conducted by telephone. Both you and your employer have the right to participate, present evidence, and question witnesses. A written decision follows the hearing.
Minnesota employers also interact with DEED through the unemployment system, and their responses can affect your claim. When a claim is filed, DEED notifies the employer, who has the opportunity to respond with information about the separation. This response can trigger an adjudication review, particularly in cases involving:
If an employer contests your claim, your claim moves into adjudication before benefits are approved or denied. DEED may contact you for additional information during this process.
Beyond phone and online access, DEED maintains a network of Minnesota WorkForce Centers located throughout the state. These physical locations can assist with unemployment questions in person, along with job search resources, resume help, and reemployment services — some of which may be connected to your UI eligibility requirements.
Job search requirements are active in Minnesota during most benefit periods. Claimants are generally required to conduct a set number of job search activities each week and record them. Failing to meet these requirements can result in benefit denial for that week.
Reaching DEED is the easy part. What happens once you're in contact depends on variables the phone line alone can't resolve: your base period wages, your reason for separation, whether your employer responds and what they say, whether an adjudicator agrees with your account of events, and whether any prior overpayments or penalties apply to your account.
Two people calling the same number on the same day can receive very different outcomes — not because of how they called, but because of what's in their claim file and how Minnesota's eligibility rules apply to their specific circumstances.