Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES)
Mississippi · Unemployment
mdes.ms.gov/unemployment-claimsState Unemployment Benefits in Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security administers unemployment benefits. Benefits a claimant had earned but not received at death are paid to the qualified administrator or executor of the estate or, if none is appointed, to the heirs at law, on a request filed with MDES within 90 days of the death.
Steps to take when someone dies
Required Documents
- Affidavit setting out the facts of the claim: The person claiming payment provides an affidavit setting out the facts the claim rests on.
- Affidavit supporting the heirs at law: if no administrator or executor is appointed
State Unemployment Benefits in Mississippi: key facts
What Mississippi says5
- Benefits at and after the death
Under MDES Regulation 319.00(B), uncashed benefit checks issued to the deceased claimant must be returned to MDES for cancellation before any replacement funds are paid.1
Under MDES Regulation 319.00(E), electronic payments due a deceased claimant are issued only to the individual who requested them, under banking-industry guidelines.1
- Who may claim a final payment
MDES Regulation 319.00(A) pays benefits due at the claimant's death to the duly qualified administrator or executor of the estate. If none is appointed, they are paid to the heirs at law under Mississippi's laws of descent and distribution, supported by an appropriate affidavit.1
Miss. Code § 71-5-501 authorizes MDES to prescribe by regulation that benefits due claimants who die before receiving or cashing a check may be paid to the legal representative, dependents, or next of kin found equitably entitled, and treats each payment as valid as if made to the decedent's legal representative.1
- Documents for a final payment
Under MDES Regulation 319.00(D), the person claiming payment must request it and provide an affidavit setting out the facts the claim rests on.1
- Deadline
Under MDES Regulation 319.00(C), a claim for benefits due a deceased claimant must be filed with MDES within 90 days following the death. The Executive Director may extend that period.1
- Claimant portal
Claims are filed online at reemployms.mdes.ms.gov.2
Governing law: Miss. Code § 71-5-501; MDES Regulation 319.00 (Benefits - Deceased Claimants), adopted under Miss. Code §§ 71-5-115 and 71-5-117
Deadlines1
- Claim for benefits due a deceased claimant
within 90 days of the death of the claimant1
Mississippi unemployment benefits
Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES)
Phone
Claim Service Line (claim status)
Hours
Website
Tools for Settling an Estate in Mississippi
Free tools for settling an estate in Mississippi: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Mississippi: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysMiss. Code §§ 91-7-93, 91-7-95, 91-7-109Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsMiss. Code §§ 91-7-145, 91-7-149, 91-7-151, 91-7-165, 91-7-261Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Mississippi requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Miss. Code Ann. § 27-7-5Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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