UI work search requirements
Workers filing for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must actively seek and report timely a required number of work search activities, starting with the week in which a claim is filed, unless instructed otherwise.
A work search activity includes:
- Contacting an employer or a person who has the right to hire by phone, email, or in person, who may have a job that meets claimant's skills and training
- Reviewing an employer's job postings or website
- Visiting a job center for a reemployment service or career workshop
- Attending a job interview
- Similar high-engagement activity
How many work search activities to report for each week claimed
TWO (2) work search activities must be reported when:
the worker lives in Alaska and is within 55 road miles of a job center; or
resides in another state, Canada, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
ONE (1) work search activity must be reported when:
the worker lives more than 55 road miles from the nearest job center in rural Alaska.
Information required for a valid work search report
A worker must contact an employer or a person with the authority to hire, who may reasonably be expected to have job openings suitable to that worker's skills and training, using the appropriate method of contact for that employer and industry.
Each work search report must include:
- Date the worker contacted the employer;
- Name of the employer;
- Method used to contact the employer; and
- Employer's phone number, mailing address, website or email address
A work search log is available for record keeping at
labor.alaska.gov/unemployment/work_search_log.pdf
A valid work search contact does not include: contact with a private employment agency where a fee is charged or a call to the UI Claim Center.
Failure to report the required number of valid work search activities will lead to benefits being denied, which could result in establishing an overpayment. Work search activity information may be audited.
