State Unemployment Benefits in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance through NEworks. Benefits are payable only for weeks a claimant personally certified, so when a claimant dies the death should be reported to NDOL so payments stop and the Department can determine what, if anything, remains payable for weeks claimed before death.
Administering agency
Nebraska Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-601 to 48-683 (Employment Security Law); 219 NAC
State Unemployment Benefits in Nebraska: key facts
- Administering agency
- Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL), Unemployment Insurance.
- Claimant system
- NEworks.nebraska.gov
- Phone
- 402-458-2500, agents available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Fax 402-458-2595. Email NDOL.UnemploymentHelp@nebraska.gov.
- Weekly certification is personal
- A separate weekly claim must be filed for each week of unemployment, signed or attested to by the claimant. Weeks the claimant never certified are not payable, so a death typically ends the claim rather than leaving a lump sum outstanding.
- No published deceased-claimant procedure
- Neither the Employment Security Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-601 to 48-683) nor the Department's benefit regulations (219 NAC) nor its published handbook sets out who may collect a deceased claimant's remaining benefit, what documents are required, or any deadline. Handling is case by case through the Department.
- Reporting a death
- Call NDOL Unemployment Insurance Claims at 402-458-2500 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) or email NDOL.UnemploymentHelp@nebraska.gov to report a claimant's death so payments stop. NDOL publishes no online death-reporting form; the claims line and the general assistance form on dol.nebraska.gov/ContactUs are the documented channels.
- Payments issued after death
- Benefits paid for weeks the claimant was not entitled to are repayable to the Commissioner under Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-665(1), recoverable by civil action, offset against future benefits, or setoff against a state or federal income tax refund.
Governing law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-601 to 48-683 (Employment Security Law); 219 NAC
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the claimant's death to the Nebraska Department of Labor at 402-458-2500 so benefit payments stop.
- Ask NDOL whether anything remains payable for weeks the claimant certified before death and what documentation the Department wants — Nebraska publishes no standing rule, so the answer is case by case.
- Repay any benefits paid for weeks the claimant was not entitled to; Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-665 makes those sums recoverable by the Commissioner.
Frequently asked questions
The Nebraska Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance through NEworks.nebraska.gov. The Unemployment Insurance Claims line is 402-458-2500, staffed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Report the death to the Nebraska Department of Labor so payments stop. Nebraska benefits are payable only for weeks the claimant personally certified, so there is often nothing left outstanding. Neither the Employment Security Law nor the Department's regulations set out who may collect a remaining payment, so the Department handles it case by case.
Call the Nebraska Department of Labor at 402-458-2500, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email NDOL.UnemploymentHelp@nebraska.gov. NDOL publishes no online death-reporting form. Have the claimant's Social Security number and date of death ready.
Yes, if the claimant was not entitled to them. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-665(1) makes any sum received as benefits to which a person was not entitled repayable to the Commissioner, collectible by civil action, offset against future benefits, or setoff against a state or federal income tax refund.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Nebraska primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Nebraska Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-601 to 48-683 (Employment Security Law); 219 NAC