Another way you can file for your Wisconsin unemployment benefits is by telephone.

• If you live in the Madison area, you can file by dialing (608) 232-0678.
• In theMilwaukee area, file by calling (414) 438-7700.
• Anywhere in Wisconsin or the United States, you can call 1-800-822-5246.

It might be easier to remember this number by thinking 1-800-UC CLAIM. Due to the high volume of callers, you have a better chance of getting a hold of a person by using one of the first two numbers. Just
make sure the calls are not long distance for you before dialing.

When you file for your Wisconsin unemployment benefits, you will need to provide
your Social Security Number. The number is required by law and provides the
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development the opportunity to verify your wage
and other data you provide. Unlike most states, Wisconsin will also require you to
create a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). Having your own number
provides you for greater security of your information. Nobody will be able to
provide any information about your claim without providing the Social Security
Number and PIN. For this reason, you need to come up with a PIN that you can recall
but one that nobody else knows.

Another piece of information you need to give is your Wisconsin driver’s license
number, if you have one. You will be expected to give a list of every employer you
worked for during the prior 18 months, including their name, full address, phone
number, the reason you are not currently employed there, and the date you began the
job and date you ended the job.

Filing your initial claim for unemployment benefits is the first step in the
process. The next step is to file weekly claim certifications, which you must do
within 14 days from the end of the calendar week you are claiming. You cannot file
your claim for a week until the week is finished. It is in your best interest to
answer every question completely and correctly. This lowers the risk that your
benefits are delayed. It also lowers the chances of you being penalized.

Your eligibility to collect unemployment insurance is dependent on a number of
factors. First, you must be mentally and physically able to work. In addition, you
must be available to work for any shift required by the type of work you are
seeking. You need to be actively seeking a job.

If you are out of work in Wisconsin, be sure to do everything required for filing
for unemployment in Wisconsin. The people at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce
Development are available to assist you and answer your questions.

The Wisconsin unemployment insurance web site, www.dwd.state.wi.us, is available to
help you on the road to recovery. It contains answers to your questions about
unemployment benefits. When you are filing your initial claim, there is no easier
way than to file online. It is certainly better than trying to call a person and
not being able to get a hold of anyone. The volume of unemployment benefit claims
makes it more difficult for you to reach a human being.

Filing online allows you to move at your own pace. There is no need to feel like
you are in a hurry. The system includes help screens that you can read before you
answer the questions. It guides you through the questions, addressing concerns that
are hiding in the back of your mind. When you file on line, you have the chance to
print a copy of the questions and answers for your records. In the event you need
to have a Claims Specialist finish your claim, you can shorten the length of the
call because the person will be able to see the answers you have already provided.

For every week that you want an unemployment check, you need to file a weekly claim
certification. This is true even for the week after you file your initial claim for
Wisconsin unemployment benefits. Using the site www.dwd.state.wi.us, you can
efficiently file the weekly claim certification. By filing, you make sure there are
no delays in your payments. Be sure to respond to any requests to contact a Claims
Specialist as quickly as you possibly can.

Another nice thing you can do online is arrange for your payments to go directly
into your bank account. That way, you don’t have to worry about post office delays
or using gas and time going to your bank. The State of Wisconsin will place the
funds into your bank based on the routing number and account number that you
provide. So, when you are entering the information it is in your best interest to
make sure it is accurate. You can always check with your bank to make sure you have
the correct routing and account numbers.

In the event that a determination of your unemployment benefit claim does not match
your expectations, you have the right to file an appeal. Read about the complete
process on the Wisconsin unemployment web site. The site also includes a long list
of questions you may have about appeals hearing. Click on any questions you have
and the answer is automatically provided. By keeping yourself well informed of the
entire process , you are more likely to obtain the answers you want.

Because so many people in Wisconsin are affected by unemployment the office has been
flooded with calls. You may have better results if you call in Tuesday through
Friday. If you don’t get through the first time, just try again later. Try to use
the Madison or Milwaukee phone numbers as long as they aren’t long distance calls
for you.

Before you begin the call, make sure you have everything you need. You’ll need to
provide your Social Security Number. You will also need to create a 4-digit
Personal Identification Number (PIN). This is a number that the system uses for
verification purposes. So, it’s important that you can remember the number. Just
make sure it’s a number that other people can’t figure out. You will also be
requested to provide your Wisconsin driver’s license number, if you have a license.
Finally, you’ll need a list of all employers you worked for during the previous 18
months, including their name, complete address, phone number, the reason you are no
longer working there, and your first and last dates of work.

After you get the initial claim filed, you need to remember to file weekly claim
certifications for your benefit check. The Wisconsin unemployment office can help
you with that as well. You can reach the office in the Madison area by dialing
(608) 261-9990. In the Milwaukee area, dial (414) 438-5395. Throughout Wisconsin
or if you happen to be out of state, you can use the toll free number of
1-800-978-7887. Any of these numbers will get you to the automated claim system,
which is available Sunday 9:00 AM – midnight, Monday-Friday 1:00 AM – midnight, or
Saturday 1:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

If you want to get more information about unemployment benefits, or talk to a Claims
Specialist, here are some other numbers you can use. In the Madison area, call
(608) 232-0824. In the Milwaukee area, call (414) 438-7713. Anywhere in Wisconsin
or the United States you can read the Wisconsin unemployment office toll free by
using 1-800-494-4944. Claims Specialists are available Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 5:30
PM.

When you file for weekly benefits, be prepared to answer a series of questions. The
system will want to know that you were physically and mentally able to work. You
will also need to be able to state that you were actively looking for work. Honesty
truly is the best policy, so it is in your best interests to make sure the answers
you provide are true to the best of your knowledge.

When you are out of work, it can be easy to get discouraged. Well, here’s some
encouraging news for you. Wisconsin’s Workforce and Labor Market Information
System, also known as WORKnet predicts that there are going to be workers needed
soon. Review their site online at http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet and you will
see a lot of good news about the Wisconsin employment projection.

By taking a look at where the workers are going to be needed, you can prepare
yourself now. Anytime the economy goes down, it must go back up again. You can be
ready by making sure you have the skills you need. That way, you’ll be far ahead of
the rest of the pack. The highest number of job openings is as a retail
salesperson. You can learn to be an effective retail salesperson in just about a
month. Skills necessary are the ability to actively listen to people and point them
to products or services that meet their needs. Of course, having a silver tongue
doesn’t hurt either.

Another occupation that continues to be in high demand is for Registered Nurses
(RN). There is expected to be a nationwide shortage of RNs for years to come. If
you enjoy working with the public and are passionate about helping others enjoy good
health, take a look into a career as an RN. It is a job that will provide you the
peace of mind that comes with having a secure job.

As an RN you need to be able to walk the tightrope between having empathy for your
patients and being able to distance yourself. You will need to be able to
objectively look at a patient and determine the best course of action that will help
the person enjoy a good life. While helping patients can provide you great job
satisfaction, the paycheck isn’t too shabby, either. RNs make between $23 to $32 an
hour. So, you can make a good living plus set aside some for the future.

If you don’t have the qualifications to become an RN, consider starting out as a
home health aide. That way, you can make an income while taking the necessary
classes to qualify to be an RN. As a home health aide, you will be performing
valuable assistance to someone who is elderly or disabled. The most important thing
is to be able to get along with them and be able to provide helpful advice without
coming across the wrong way.

Another category of workers in high demand according to the Wisconsin employment
projection is in the food service arena. Everybody’s got to eat some time. You
don’t need a lot of training to be able to serve people their meals or be able to
clean their tables when they are done. Many people will take on a job as a
waitperson or dishwasher and go to school when they are not working. That way, they
can sharpen their skills and get the education they need to get noticed by
employers.