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As of July 8, 2026, IDES will no longer send benefit payments via paper check.  You may select direct deposit or debit card as your method for receiving benefit payments.  If you were receiving paper checks, you will be switched over to debit card payments unless you choose to enroll in direct deposit.

Filing unemployment claims will be unavailable Sunday, July 26th from 12:00 a.m. until noon for a scheduled system upgrade.  Access for claimants will resume Sunday afternoon.

One-Time Passcode (OTP) Opt-in

A one-time passcode (OTP), also known as a one-time PIN, is valid for only one login session on a computer system or other digital device.

OTPs are designed to improve your security by ensuring that even if someone obtains your credentials, they cannot reuse them for another login or transaction, making it difficult for attackers to reuse intercepted codes.

While the OTP opt-in is highly encouraged for claimants to add an additional layer of security, it is optional, and you may opt-out. You can always opt-in at a later time if decided.

How it Works:

  • When you initiate an unemployment transaction through your benefits application, the system generates a unique OTP and sends it to you via SMS.
  • You will then enter this OTP into the system to complete the authentication process.
  • Once used, the OTP becomes invalid, preventing its reuse.