State Unemployment Benefits in Louisiana
Louisiana Works — the agency the Louisiana Workforce Commission became on October 1, 2025 — administers unemployment insurance through the HiRE online system. When a claimant dies, the heirs may apply to receive the unemployment benefits that were due to the claimant at the time of death by submitting a formal affidavit of heirship.
Administering agency
Louisiana Works (formerly the Louisiana Workforce Commission) — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
La. Admin. Code Title 40, Part IV, §345 (under La. R.S. 23:1471 et seq.)
State Unemployment Benefits in Louisiana: key facts
- Administering agency
- Louisiana Works, Unemployment Insurance. The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) transitioned to Louisiana Works on October 1, 2025.
- Claimant portal
- HiRE (Helping Individuals Reach Employment) at louisianaworks.net/hire.
- Claim center
- 1-866-783-5567 (the "Easy Call System" toll-free number).
- After a death
- Heirs may apply by formal affidavit of heirship to be paid all unemployment money due the claimant at the time of death. All heirs of full age and majority must submit the affidavit; a minor heir applies through an authorized representative.
- Reporting a death
- Call the claim center at 1-866-783-5567. No online death-reporting form is published on laworks.net; phone contact is the documented channel.
- Documentation for final payment
- A formal affidavit of heirship signed by all heirs of full age and majority (or by an authorized representative for any minor heir). No agency form number is published; the requirement is stated in La. Admin. Code Title 40, Part IV, §345.
- Who may claim
- The heirs of the deceased claimant. All heirs of full age and majority must sign the affidavit; a minor heir participates through an authorized representative. The regulation does not restrict the claim to an executor or surviving spouse.
Governing law: La. Admin. Code Title 40, Part IV, §345 (under La. R.S. 23:1471 et seq.)
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the claimant's death to Louisiana Works so further payments stop.
- Ask the agency whether unemployment benefits were due to the claimant at the time of death.
- Submit a formal affidavit of heirship signed by all heirs of full age and majority, or through an authorized representative for any minor heir, to claim money due the deceased.
Louisiana Works (formerly the Louisiana Workforce Commission) — Unemployment Insurance
Phone: 1-866-783-5567
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Louisiana Works — the agency the Louisiana Workforce Commission became on October 1, 2025 — administers unemployment insurance through the HiRE system at louisianaworks.net/hire. Its claim center is 1-866-783-5567.
Yes. Under Louisiana's unemployment insurance rules, the heirs of a deceased benefit claimant may apply by formal affidavit of heirship to be paid all unemployment money due the claimant at the time of death. The affidavit must be submitted by all heirs of full age and majority, or through an authorized representative for any minor heir.
Louisiana's UI rules frame the claimant as "the heirs," not the executor as such. All heirs of full age and majority submit a formal affidavit of heirship to Louisiana Works; an authorized representative submits the affidavit on behalf of any minor heir. The process begins by calling the claim center at 1-866-783-5567 to notify the agency of the death and confirm the amount due. La. Admin. Code Title 40, Part IV, §345.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Louisiana primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Louisiana Works (formerly the Louisiana Workforce Commission) — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
La. Admin. Code Title 40, Part IV, §345 (under La. R.S. 23:1471 et seq.)