File an Unemployment Benefits Claim in Hawaii

You should file for unemployment as soon as you can after being laid off or losing your job. Benefits will only go back to the date you filed your claim and not your last day of work. Claims can be initiated prior to your last working day, but they can’t be completed and filed until you are officially unemployed.

In the State of Hawaii you are able to file an initial benefits claim one of three ways:

• You may file online at the following site: State of Hawaii
• You may file by telephone by calling 1.808.643.5555 or 1.877.215.5793
• You may also file in person, by locating the Hawaii unemployment office location nearest to you:  Hawaii office locations.

The following information is needed in order to apply for Hawaii State unemployment benefits. You will need to have this information when you begin the application process:

• Your Social Security number (SSN)
• States you have worked in within the past 18 months other than Hawaii
• Complete information about your last employer
• The date of your last day of work
• Reason you are no longer with your employer
• Your driver’s license # or State issued ID card #
• Your mailing address, city, state and zip code
• If you are not a citizen of the USA, you will need to provide your work authorization number

Appeal a Claim in Hawaii

There may be instances where your initial claim for unemployment benefits is denied.  If this happens to you, you can ask that your claim be reconsidered or you can file an appeal. Information on how to do this is located here: Hawaii FAQ’s

To find the address to the closest local claims office for appeals, please look here:  Hawaii appeal offices

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