MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) is announcing a new and improved customer service portal for unemployment claimants. Claimant Portal (CP) is a modification of the existing website claimants use to file and certify their unemployment compensation claims. With CP, claimants can:
· Apply for an unemployment compensation benefits claim.
· File a weekly certification application for benefits.
· Manage their profile and account information.
· Access claim and issue details.
· View weekly benefit payments.
Upon first use, claimants will need to either create an account or sign in through their existing account using two-factor authentication via Apple, Google, or Microsoft. A new registration page will need to be filled out, but this is only on the first visit.
Claimant Portal will allow users to access more information, and quickly file a claim or weekly certification. These tasks can still be completed by phone as well by calling 866-234-5382.
“We are excited to roll out our new Claimant Portal to allow our customers better access to their claims information,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “This added improvement should provide a benefit to those who rely on unemployment compensation during down times. This also improves security, making sure that customers’ information is protected.”
Additionally, claimants or employers who file an unemployment compensation appeal will now use a different process. Instead of registering for a telephone hearing the day of the hearing, appellants will now call to register THE DAY BEFORE their scheduled hearing. Appellants will need to call 1-800-321-9323 by 11:59 pm the day before the scheduled hearing to provide a telephone number where they may be reached during the hearing the next day. On the day of the hearing, appellants will need to be available at the phone number provided for at least 60 minutes after the scheduled hearing time to receive a telephone call from the hearing officer. Any party who fails to provide a telephone number will not be contacted. If an appellant fails to provide a contact number or fails to answer the telephone call, this will be considered a non-appearance and the original claim decision will stand.
This process will allow for ADOL’s hearings officers to hear more appeals each day and issue decisions more rapidly.
The changes to the portal and the hearings & appeals process are expected to roll out on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The existing URL will remain the same, www.labor.alabama.gov.
Detailed instructions on how to use the new Claimant Portal can be found HERE.
Media Release/Communications Director Tara Hutchison/Alabama Department of Labor
