Kentucky Unemployment Login: How To Manage Your Benefits

The Kentucky unemployment login online portal is for online benefits filing by employees seeking insurance in the state who have lost their job. KEWES is Kentucky’s Electronic Workplace for Employment Services where individuals can submit a weekly claim for UI coverage.

In an attempt to stem a wave of fraudulent activity aimed at stealing jobless benefits, Kentucky’s unemployment office is making all active claimants re-register their online accounts using more complex passwords. Cyber criminals are using compromised personal information, such as Social Security numbers, and are taking advantage of simple PINs to hack into unemployment accounts and divert payments. 

Kentuckians recently reported their personal identification numbers, used to access their online accounts, had been changed without their knowledge. Some also reported their banking information had been altered. On April 9, the state took the sweeping step of shutting down the website Kentuckians use to file new claims and request benefits. The site came back online at 7 a.m. EST Tuesday. The state has set up a call center to help people re-register and is also mailing people information needed to set up a more secure account. 

What Do You Have To Do?

All current benefit recipients will need to register again (or, in some cases, for the first time) on the state’s unemployment website. The state is making people re-register and create more complex passwords to better combat fraud. Even those who recently created an account on the state’s new public-facing claimant portal that launched in mid-March will need to go through this new registration process.

How To Register For A New Account

Claimants will need to register a new account and create a password that complies with new requirements. When creating your password you should write it down and store it in a safe
place.

New User: If you have never applied for unemployment before, you are a new user registering for the first.

Existing User: If you have previously filed for unemployment, you are an existing user,

How to register

• To begin, select the “Register” link at https://uiclaimsportal.ky.gov. After clicking the link,
  you will be greeted by a welcome screen. Follow the instructions on the screen to continue
  registration.
• Next screen you will provide your Social Security Number (SSN) and do a test to identify
  objects in a picture.
• Next screen you will enter your new Username, which must be a valid email address.
• A User Registration Verification Code will be sent to your email address and it is required to
  complete registration. You may need to check your “spam” or “junk” folder in your email
  account.
• Next, provide a new, complex 12-digit password and confirm. Additional information about
  password requirements can be found in the information button.
• If you are a new user registering for the first you will have to provide your first and last
  name, mailing address and phone number.
• You will have to confirm your SSN again and enter your eight digit PIN that was mailed to
  the address on file with your UI account.
• Next, enter the User Registration Verification Code sent via email.
• New and existing users will be prompted to setup a security question and answer.
• Once you have completed all information click the “Register” button on the bottom right of
  the screen. If you successfully register, you can login with your username (email address)
  and password by navigating back to the Login page.

Notice: Users under the age of 18 must register through the Interactive Voice Response system, please call 502-875-0442 to register and file a claim.

For your own security, please remember not to provide personal information in response to any electronic communications regarding security breaches. If you need additional assistance with your account registration and PIN you may call (502) 564-2900 or visit the Kentucky Career Center’s YouTube page. This will only be for account registration and PIN assistance.

Unemployment Logins

• NY Unemployment Login
• Ohio Unemployment Login
• Illinois Unemployment Login
• Florida Unemployment Login
• Maryland Unemployment Login

Kentucky Unemployment Login Steps

Effective immediately, unemployment insurance claimants can access 1099s for calendar year 2021 through the UI Web portal. All UI claimants who received benefits in calendar year 2021 will receive a 1099 from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance via U.S. mail, although some could experience a delay as a result of an envelope shortage. The agency has asked the Internal Revenue Service for a 30-day extension to mail all forms.

In the meantime, those who wish to expedite tax preparation can get started by visiting the Kentucky Career Center website: https://kcc.ky.g​ov. Available services includes:

• File New Unemployment Claim
• Request Bi-Weekly Benefit Payment
• Complete Your Eligibility Review
• Reset Your Pin
• Change Your Payment Method
• Change Your Mailing Address
• Change Your Email Address

Claimants are required to follow the instructions below to log into their online account.

• Click on ‘Unemployment Services’ and select ‘File or Access your Claim’ from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the green ‘Sign in with ID.Me‘ button. If you have not previously verified, complete the verification process.
• Once logged into your online account, click on the “Request User Login Verification Code” button to send a code to your email address on file. This code is good for 15 minutes only.
• Click on the ‘File New Claim / View 1099 Tax Document’ button on the main page.
• Log in to your unemployment insurance account.
• Enter the Verification Code from your email address.
• Click on the ‘My 1099’ link located at the top of the page. You will have the option to download or view the document.

Please note: The 1099 contains personal information including your Social Security number. If you use a computer designated for public use at public libraries or Kentucky Career Centers, it is advised that you only view and print the document and not download it to the computer. Please make sure to close the Internet browser when you are finished. If you are using a computer in a public place, logoff or close the browser when you are finished entering information. This is for your protection and will prevent someone else from viewing your claim information.

How To File a Claim Online

Once you have registered your account, you may file a UI claim. Visit KCC.KY.GOV, click on “Unemployment Services” and select “File or Access Your Claim”. This takes you to the Unemployment Insurance Claimant Portal Page where you will click “Log In”. After logging in, please click on “Request User Log In Verification Code”.

You will be required to request a verification code each time that you request a benefit payment, file a claim, or otherwise manage your claim. The verification code is to your email address from a ky.gov address. Be sure to check your “spam” or “junk” folder. After requesting the code, click “File New Claim”

After requesting the access code and selecting the “File a Claim”, enter the verification code that you received by email. You will then provide your Social Security Number and 8-digit PIN. Finally, click on the “File a Claim” option. The claim filing process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will receive a confirmation page once it is successfully submitted. Claims not submitted before midnight on Saturday will be deleted.

Filing by Telephone

If you are unable to complete your initial unemployment claim online, please call 502-875-0442 for the Claim Filing Call Center. This phone line is dedicated to initial claim filings only and is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. You may also call toll-free 800-648-6057 for Telecommunications Relay Service.

Kentucky Unemployment Help Desk

Contact the local Career Center to find out more. You may call their Unemployment Insurance Assistance Line at 502-875-0442 (for claim filing) and 502-564-2900 (for general information and assistance). To request a payment through continued claims, you may call 1-877-369-5984 or go online. You may also file your initial claim at kcc.ky.gov.

However, you can visit the Kentucky Career Center website homepage and download the Claimant Guide for additional information about filing a claim, requesting benefits, weekly eligibility requirements and much more.