State Unemployment Benefits in Illinois: when someone dies

Under 56 Ill. Adm. Code 2830.200, benefits the claimant was entitled to before death are payable to the Estate or Heirs of the deceased. A relative with first-hand knowledge submits a certification, an affidavit of relationship, and a certified death certificate within nine months of the date of death.

A relative with first-hand knowledge of the death submits three items to a local IDES office in person or by certified mail: (1) a completed IDES deceased-claimant certification form, (2) an affidavit attesting to the submitter's relationship to the deceased and that the matters stated are true, and (3) a certified copy of the death certificate. No Letters Testamentary are required. Everything must be received within nine months of the date of death, after which any unpaid benefits revert to the state trust fund (56 Ill. Adm. Code 2830.200). Forms are available at local IDES offices or by calling 1-800-244-5631.