State Unemployment Benefits in Illinois

State Unemployment Benefits in Illinois: key facts

Administering agency

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Claimant services phone

800-244-5631. Callers with a hearing impairment dial 711 for the Illinois Relay System (Illinois Relay TTY 800-526-0844) and ask the analyst to call IDES at 800-244-5631.

After a death

IDES first pays to the claimant's designated direct deposit account, then to the debit card it assigned them. Only if neither is possible does it issue a paper check, made payable to "The Estate or Heirs of" the claimant — never to more than one payee and never to a named individual. Any benefit checks already issued to the claimant and not presented for payment must be returned to the Director, or an affidavit submitted stating they were lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Certification when the claimant died before certifying

If the claimant died before certifying for benefits, an individual with first-hand knowledge of the matters asserted submits a completed certification form, an affidavit attesting to that first-hand knowledge, the truth of the matters asserted, and the individual's relationship to the claimant, and a certified copy of the death certificate — all within nine months after the date of death (56 Ill. Adm. Code 2830.200(b)).

Where the certification is filed

The certification form goes to a local unemployment office, in person or by certified mail. The forms are available at local unemployment offices or by calling Claimant Services at 800-244-5631.

Nine-month cutoff

If the certification form is not received within nine months after the date of death, any benefits due the deceased claimant revert to the State's unemployment trust fund. Eligibility never extends beyond the date the claimant died.

Governing law: 56 Ill. Adm. Code 2830.200

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Report the claimant's death to IDES so benefit payments stop.
2. Return to the Director any benefit checks already issued to the claimant that have not been presented for payment, or submit an affidavit stating that they were lost, stolen, or destroyed.
3. If the claimant died before certifying for benefits, have an individual with first-hand knowledge complete the certification form and the supporting affidavit setting out their relationship to the claimant.
4. Submit the certification form to a local unemployment office, in person or by certified mail, with a certified copy of the death certificate — within nine months after the date of death.
5. IDES pays any benefit the claimant was entitled to, to their direct deposit account or debit card, or by check payable to "The Estate or Heirs of" the claimant.

Frequently asked questions