Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Weekly Certification Filing
A weekly certification must be filed for each week for which you are applying for benefits. This certification can be filed through the Internet at www.sd.uiclaims.com or by calling 605.626.3212 using a touch-tone telephone.
View a new YouTube video on how to properly file a claim for unemployment benefits, including filing the weekly certification.
What You Should Know about Automated Weekly Certifications
The Internet site allows you to use any computer with Internet Explorer 5.0 and newer to file your weekly unemployment insurance benefits certification. The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system is an automated voice system that allows you to use a touch-tone telephone to file your weekly unemployment insurance certification.
When filing your weekly certification by telephone, we recommend you do not use cellular, mobile or cordless telephones. Because of the operating method of these telephones, your call is often suspended.
System Availability
You may file your weekly certification anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All weekly certifications submitted through the Internet or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) are recorded at Central Standard Time. If for any reason the system is not available due to routine maintenance or processing of unemployment payments, you will receive a message the system is unavailable. Please wait approximately two hours before attempting to reenter or call in your weekly certification.
How to File Weekly Certifications by Internet
Weekly certifications can be filed at www.sd.uiclaims.com. A user ID and password are required to access this website. Establishing this user ID and password will also give you access to search for employment on the SDWORKS website.
How to File Weekly Certifications by Telephone
When filing your weekly certification by telephone, use the number 605.626.3212. Be sure your telephone is set on "tone," not "pulse."
You will need a personal identification number (PIN) when using the telephone system. You will establish this PIN number when you file your first weekly certification. Your PIN is a four-digit number you have chosen. You may use any combination except 0000. It should be a number you can easily remember, but no one else can guess. Please have a four-digit number in mind when you make your first weekly claim by telephone. Do not give your PIN out. No one but you should know your PIN. Your PIN is your electronic signature and has the same authority as if you had signed a paper document.
To change your personal identification number (PIN), you must contact the Benefit Section at 605.626.2452 during normal business hours. You will be required to provide key information regarding yourself and your claim before a new number can be assigned.
Remember: Weekly certification weeks always end on a Saturday. You cannot file your weekly certification until after that week has ended. For example, if you are applying for benefits for a week that ends Saturday, October 20, you must wait until at least 12:01 a.m. (CST) Sunday, October 21 before entering your weekly certification through the Internet or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
You only have seven days from the end of the week to file for that week. For example, if you are applying for benefits for a week that ends Saturday, October 20, you have until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, October 27 to file that weekly certification through the Internet or to call the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. If you do not enter your weekly certification within that one week period of time, you may be found ineligible for benefits for that week.
If your weekly certification is not filed within that one week filing time, you will need to call the Benefit Section at 605.626.2452. This "late filed" certification may or may not be paid, depending on the reasons for it being filed late.
If you are filing through the Internet, you must receive confirmation that your certification has been accepted. If you log off prior to receiving that confirmation, your certification has not been filed. If this happens, you may re-file your weekly certification through the Internet so long as it is filed within seven days of the end of the week you are claiming.
If you are filing through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, wait until you hear that your certification has been recorded. If you do not hear that confirmation, your certification has not been filed. If this happens, you may re-file your weekly certification through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system so long as it is filed within seven days of the end of the week you are claiming.
Unemployment insurance benefit payments are processed within two business days of filing. If there is an issue with your weekly certification that prevents payment from being issued, you will be notified. If you have any questions, please contact the Benefit Section at 605.626.2452. No benefits can be paid to you until this issue has been resolved.
A Claim Week
Weekly certifications cover a calendar week beginning on Sunday and ending at midnight Saturday.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Claim Week - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||
Information Needed Before Filing a Weekly Certification
A user ID and password are required when filing through the Internet. Your Social Security number and personal identification number (PIN) are required when filing through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR).
You must report all hours worked and wages earned during the claim week, including self-employment. If you worked for more than one employer, please combine your hours and earnings before calling. Refer to the following example:
Employer |
Total Hours Worked |
Hourly Rate |
Total Wages |
| ABC Inc. | 4 |
$6.00 |
$24.00 |
| XYZ Inc. | 7.9 |
$7.00 |
$55.30 |
| Totals | 11.9* |
$79.30* |
|
| *Report these totals | |||
You must report all holiday pay, vacation pay, annual leave, sick pay, severance pay and wages in lieu of notice. Please gather this information together before submitting your weekly certification.
You are required to keep a written record of all earnings and other payments in your blue booklet entitled "Facts about Unemployment Insurance Benefits," on pages 17-18. You are required to keep a written record of all job contacts in your blue booklet entitled "Facts about Unemployment Insurance Benefits" on pages 20-21.
If entering hours and dollar amounts through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, please use the star key (*) as your decimal point and end your entry with the pound sign (#). For example, 11.9 hours would be 11*9#, and $79.30 would be 79*30#.
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
Tel. 605.773.3101
Fax. 605.773.6184
