State Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance administers unemployment insurance for the Commonwealth. Benefits due a claimant who dies are governed by M.G.L. c. 151A, § 68: where no petition to administer the estate has been filed within 30 days of the death, the DUA commissioner may pay the benefits due to the person the commissioner finds entitled to them, and that payment is as valid as one made to the estate’s legal representative.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

Massachusetts

mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance→

Administering agency

Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Phone877-626-6800

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

M.G.L. c. 151A, s. 68 (payment of benefits due a deceased person)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts: key facts

Administering agency: Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
Claimant portal: Unemployment Services for Workers, at unemployment.mass.gov.
Phone: DUA Call Center, 877-626-6800 (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed Fridays).
Benefits due a deceased claimant: Under M.G.L. c. 151A § 68, where no petition to administer the estate has been filed within 30 days after the death, the DUA commissioner may pay benefits due the deceased claimant to the person the commissioner finds entitled to them; the payment is as valid as if made to the estate’s legal representative. If a personal representative has been appointed, benefits due are payable to that legal representative.
Weeks that remain payable: Weekly eligibility under M.G.L. c. 151A § 24(b) requires the claimant to be capable of, available for, and actively seeking work in the week claimed, so only weeks the claimant qualified for before death can be paid.
Payments issued after the date of death: A payment the claimant was not entitled to is an erroneous payment, which DUA may recover by civil action or deduct from future benefits under M.G.L. c. 151A § 69(a). The commissioner may waive recovery from a person who is without fault where recovery would be against equity and good conscience (§ 69(c)).
Reporting a death: By phone to the DUA Call Center, 877-626-6800 (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).

Governing law: M.G.L. c. 151A, s. 68 (payment of benefits due a deceased person)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Massachusetts

3-step process for Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

Massachusetts

mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance→

Administering agency

Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Phone877-626-6800

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

M.G.L. c. 151A, s. 68 (payment of benefits due a deceased person)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in Massachusetts: key facts

Administering agency

Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

Claimant portal

Unemployment Services for Workers, at unemployment.mass.gov.

Phone

DUA Call Center, 877-626-6800 (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed Fridays).

Benefits due a deceased claimant

Under M.G.L. c. 151A § 68, where no petition to administer the estate has been filed within 30 days after the death, the DUA commissioner may pay benefits due the deceased claimant to the person the commissioner finds entitled to them; the payment is as valid as if made to the estate’s legal representative. If a personal representative has been appointed, benefits due are payable to that legal representative.

Weeks that remain payable

Weekly eligibility under M.G.L. c. 151A § 24(b) requires the claimant to be capable of, available for, and actively seeking work in the week claimed, so only weeks the claimant qualified for before death can be paid.

Payments issued after the date of death

A payment the claimant was not entitled to is an erroneous payment, which DUA may recover by civil action or deduct from future benefits under M.G.L. c. 151A § 69(a). The commissioner may waive recovery from a person who is without fault where recovery would be against equity and good conscience (§ 69(c)).

Reporting a death

By phone to the DUA Call Center, 877-626-6800 (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).

Governing law: M.G.L. c. 151A, s. 68 (payment of benefits due a deceased person)