State Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development administers Unemployment Insurance. When a claimant dies, the death should be reported so payments stop, and the agency determines any final payment owed for eligible weeks before the date of death.
Administering agency
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) — Unemployment Insurance
State Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota: key facts
- Administering agency
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Unemployment Insurance.
- Applicant portal
- ui.mn.gov
- Phone
- 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities); 1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota); 1-866-814-1252 (TTY). Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- After a death
- Report the claimant's death so benefit payments stop; ask DEED about any payment owed for eligible weeks before the date of death.
- Reporting a death
- Call DEED Unemployment Insurance at 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities) or 1-877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota) to report the death and stop payments. No dedicated online form is published; reporting is by phone.
- Documentation for final payment
- Complete the application prescribed by the commissioner of DEED. Minn. Stat. 268.087 specifies no additional documents beyond the commissioner's form; confirm current requirements with DEED when calling.
- Who may claim
- Priority under Minn. Stat. 268.087: (1) personal representative of the estate; if none is appointed, then (2) surviving spouse; (3) surviving child or children; (4) surviving parent or parents. Once paid to one eligible claimant, the obligation is discharged.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Call DEED Unemployment Insurance (651-296-3644 Twin Cities; 1-877-898-9090 Greater Minnesota) to report the claimant's death and stop benefit payments.
- Ask DEED whether a final payment is owed for eligible weeks before the date of death and request the commissioner's prescribed application form (Minn. Stat. 268.087).
- Complete and submit the application. The personal representative has first priority; if no personal representative is appointed, the surviving spouse may claim, then surviving child(ren), then surviving parent(s).
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) — Unemployment Insurance
Phone: 651-296-3644
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
The death should be reported to DEED so payments stop. Under Minn. Stat. 268.087, unemployment benefits due and payable at the time of the applicant's death are paid, upon application, to the personal representative of the estate, or if none is appointed, to the surviving spouse, then child or children, then parent or parents.
Under Minn. Stat. 268.087, the personal representative of the estate has first priority. If no personal representative is appointed, the payment goes in order to the surviving spouse, then surviving child or children, then surviving parent or parents. The claimant must complete the application form prescribed by the commissioner, and payment to one eligible claimant discharges the obligation.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administers Unemployment Insurance through its applicant system at ui.mn.gov, with applicant service at 651-296-3644 in the Twin Cities and 1-877-898-9090 in Greater Minnesota.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) — Unemployment Insurance