State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Unemployment Insurance Division - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Sep 19, 2026

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Answers common questions about Hawaii’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, explaining how unemployment benefits work and that eligibility depends on Hawaii law and past employment rather than financial need. It details who pays for UI (employers through payroll taxes, workers do not pay), how to file a claim and online service hours in Hawaii Standard Time, and what information is required before submission. It also covers qualifying rules, alternative base periods, eligibility requirements, and special documentation for federal employees and military members, including DD-214 guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

How unemployment insurance works

Who pays for unemployment insurance

How to apply for unemployment insurance

Information you will need to apply for benefits

Qualifying for unemployment benefits

Alternative qualifications

Eligibility requirements

Rules and requirements for certain workers and situations

Federal civilian employees

Military members

State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Unemployment Insurance Division Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unemployment Insurance (UI) Answers to common questions about Hawaii’s UI program. How unemployment insurance works Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial help if you: • Are unemployed through no fault of your own AND • Meet the legal requirements under Hawaii law We pay unemployment benefits based on requirements of the Hawaii Employment Security Law and past employment and not based on need. Who pays for unemployment insurance Employers pay for unemployment benefits through taxes on a percentage of their payroll. If you worked for more than one employer, they all share the costs of your benefits. Employers also pay a federal tax that helps manage the program and extend benefits when unemployment is high. As a worker, you do not pay taxes into the unemployment insurance program. How to apply for unemployment insurance Your claim starts on the Sunday of the week you file it. If you wait to file after losing your job, you will not get benefits for the weeks before you filed. To apply online, visit the Hawaii UI claims website: [https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov](https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov. This online service)[. This online service](https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov. This online service) is available: • Monday to Friday, 6:30 a. m. to 11:00 p. m. • Weekends and holidays, 9:00 a. m. to 11:00 p. m. All times are Hawaii Standard Time (HST) . For details, watch our instructional video: [https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/instructional-video-for-filing-unemployment-insurance-online](https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/instructional-video-for-filing-unemployment-insurance-online) [If you need more help](If you need more help), contact us. UI Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272 Contact Form: [https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form](https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/contact-form) If you move to another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, or the Virgin Islands, you may still receive benefits from Hawaii if you meet Hawaii’s eligibility requirements. Similar laws and responsibilities apply to in-state and out-of-state claimants. Information you will need to apply for benefits | Make sure you have all the following information and that it is correct. You cannot make changes after you submit your application.
• Social Security number
• Bank account number and routing number. Use your bank routing number and account information on your personal check. If you want to use a savings account, ask your bank for this information.
• Your employment information for the past 18 months, including:
– Employer’s name, address, and phone number
– Dates of employment
– Reason for separation
• Alien registration number or I-94 or unexpired passport number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Qualifying for unemployment benefits | | --- | | To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have been paid a certain amount during the standard period, which is the first four (4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters:
• You must have been paid wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and
• You must have been paid at least 26 times your weekly benefit amount.
Alternative qualifications | | If you do not qualify using the standard base period, we use the alternate base period, which is the last four (4) completed quarters.
If you worked in other states besides Hawaii (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands) during your base period, you may be able to use those wages to qualify or increase your weekly benefit amount.
Eligibility requirements | In addition to the wage requirements above, you must meet the eligibility requirements below: • You are unemployed for reasons that were not your fault, or • You are working less than your normal hours and earning less than your weekly benefit

FAQs

When does unemployment insurance coverage begin after filing a claim?

Your claim starts on the Sunday of the week you file it. If you wait to file after losing your job, you will not receive benefits for earlier weeks.

Does a worker pay unemployment insurance taxes?

No. Employers pay unemployment benefits through payroll-related taxes and also pay a federal tax to help manage and extend benefits when unemployment is high.

What information is required to apply for UI benefits and can it be changed after submission?

You must have correct information such as your Social Security number, bank account and routing number, employment details for the past 18 months, and (if not a U.S. citizen) alien registration/I-94 or an unexpired passport number. Changes are not allowed after you submit your application.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by McQueen