Unemployment Insurance: Massachusetts

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Francis P. Morley

Summary

• Most employers are subject to the Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance Law. See Employer Coverage.
• Claimants must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits. See Employee Eligibility.
• Under certain circumstances, workers may not qualify for unemployment benefits. See Disqualification From Benefits.
• Unemployment benefits are capped at 30 weeks, but are reduced to 26 weeks under certain circumstances. See Benefits.
• Massachusetts has certain requirements for employers when a claim for unemployment benefits has been filed. There is also an appeal process and requirements when an employer disagrees with an approved claim. See Filing Claims.
• Massachusetts has specific requirements regarding workplace posters and employee notification after separation. See Notice and Posting Requirements.
• Massachusetts has specific recordkeeping requirements for employers. See Recordkeeping Requirements.
• Massachusetts has special provisions regarding plant closings. See Plant Closings and Partial Plant Closings.
• Massachusetts offers the WorkShare Program, a voluntary program to help employers retain a group of employees who would otherwise have been laid off. See WorkShare Program.