The Tennessee Department of Labor is the agency that oversees unemployment insurance. The agency recommends that you file for benefits as soon as possible after you become unemployed.
To collect unemployment in the state of Tennessee, you must:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own
- Have qualifying wages in the base period
- Be able to work when you file your claim
- Be actively looking for employment
- Take acceptable work that is offered to you
In Tennessee, there is a one week waiting period during which no unemployment payment is made. If qualified, you will eventually be compensated for that week.
To file an unemployment claim in the state of Tennessee, you will need:
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license number
- Address and telephone number
- Information about former employer, including: name, address, telephone number, fax number, last day worked, reason for job loss
- Information on all employers during the past 18 months
Tennessee residents can file for unemployment benefits in one of three ways:
- Online
Go to www.tennesseeanytime.org/labor/ to file a claim via the Internet
You can file anytime Saturday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. local time - By telephone
If you live in the Nashville area, call 1-615-253-0800
If you are outside the Nashville area or out of state, call 1-877-813-0950 - If you live in the following counties, you must file in person at a Tennessee Career Center located in your area:
Fayette
Tipton
Lauderdale
Shelby
