State Unemployment Benefits in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development administers unemployment insurance. When a claimant dies, Wis. Stat. 108.13(3) lets the Department designate who receives any benefits that were payable for a week the claimant was otherwise eligible, and DWD has a separate documented process for releasing the deceased claimant's 1099-G to the estate.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

Wisconsin

dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben→

Administering agency

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development — Unemployment Insurance

Phone(414) 435-7069

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Wis. Stat. 108.13(3)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in Wisconsin: key facts

Administering agency: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Unemployment Insurance Division.
Claimant portal: my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov
Claimant assistance: UI Help Center: (414) 435-7069, or toll-free (844) 910-3661.
Who may receive the final payment: Under Wis. Stat. 108.13(3), if a claimant dies during or after a week for which benefits are payable, DWD "may designate any person who in its judgment should properly receive the benefits in lieu of the claimant." The statute sets no priority order among spouse, personal representative, or heirs; DWD decides case by case, and the designated person's receipt discharges the fund.
Reporting a death: DWD publishes no dedicated death-reporting procedure for claimants. Contact the UI Help Center at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 to report a claimant's death and ask what DWD requires from the person acting for the estate.
Getting the deceased claimant's 1099-G: The estate's representative mails a certified death certificate, a signed letter showing authority to administer the estate (or domiciliary letters), and the mailing address to UI, P.O. Box 8400, Madison, WI 53708. DWD mails back the 1099-G and returns the original certified death certificate. 1099-G questions: (608) 266-2999.

Governing law: Wis. Stat. 108.13(3)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Wisconsin

3-step process for Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development — Unemployment Insurance.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

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

Unemployment

Wisconsin

dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben→

Administering agency

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development — Unemployment Insurance

Phone(414) 435-7069

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Wis. Stat. 108.13(3)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in Wisconsin: key facts

Administering agency

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Unemployment Insurance Division.

Claimant portal

my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov

Claimant assistance

UI Help Center: (414) 435-7069, or toll-free (844) 910-3661.

Who may receive the final payment

Under Wis. Stat. 108.13(3), if a claimant dies during or after a week for which benefits are payable, DWD "may designate any person who in its judgment should properly receive the benefits in lieu of the claimant." The statute sets no priority order among spouse, personal representative, or heirs; DWD decides case by case, and the designated person's receipt discharges the fund.

Reporting a death

DWD publishes no dedicated death-reporting procedure for claimants. Contact the UI Help Center at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 to report a claimant's death and ask what DWD requires from the person acting for the estate.

Getting the deceased claimant's 1099-G

The estate's representative mails a certified death certificate, a signed letter showing authority to administer the estate (or domiciliary letters), and the mailing address to UI, P.O. Box 8400, Madison, WI 53708. DWD mails back the 1099-G and returns the original certified death certificate. 1099-G questions: (608) 266-2999.

Governing law: Wis. Stat. 108.13(3)