Claimant Portal Logon FAQ

Yes, to gain access to the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Claimant Portal, you need to create a logon. Your logon is made up of a username and password.

The unique logon that you create will be used to identify you when accessing online services; this information is confidential. Do not give your username to anyone outside DWD and do not share your password with ANYONE.

Your username must be given to our staff if you call for help, but your password is confidential and should not be shared.

Yes, you may use the same username and password to log on to your Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Claimant Portal, Job Center of Wisconsin (JCW), and/or Wisconsin Child Support Online Services (CSOS).

You don’t have to use the same username and password. However, for your convenience, this option is available if you already have one set up.

Note: If you shared or disclosed a JCW/CSOS username and password with other people in the past, please use a different username and password so that others will not have access to your unemployment claim and records.

No, if you forget your username and/or password do not create a new one. Creating another will only delay your access to online services.

Click on the link titled "Forgot your Username/Password?" and follow the instructions. If you continue to have trouble, contact the DWD IT Solutions Center as instructed. When calling, be sure to tell them you are attempting to access Unemployment Insurance services.

Your personal information is needed to verify your identity, access our online services, and receive unemployment payments. Your social security number, first name, last name, date of birth, gender, and address will be required. If you have a driver license number, you may need to provide that as well.

For more information on how Login.gov uses your personal information, see their Privacy & Security page.

You may have to enter personal information again in some cases. For example, if your personal information changed, you changed your password, you forgot your username or password, or if you have not logged on to the claimant portal in the last year.

Confirming your identity helps protect your personal information, the security of the Unemployment Insurance program, and is required to receive unemployment payments.

From the Claimant Portal, enter your personal information, then follow the steps for identity verification. You will be able to choose whether you want to verify your identity online with Login.gov or in person at a Post Office. Follow the online instructions and enter the information needed to verify your identity for either method.

You need to start the identification process online, even if you want to verify your identity in person.

You can find more information about our identity verification process on our website.

If you continue to have trouble, call the Help Center at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 during business hours. Your username must be given to our staff if you call for help, but your password is confidential and should not be shared.

From the Claimant Portal, follow the steps for online identity verification. To verify your identity online, you will be taken to Login.gov to create an account. You will need an email and authentication method (like a cellphone) to create your account.

You can find more information on Login.gov at Create an Account.

You only need to complete one of the two options: online verification or in person verification at a Post Office. You do not need to do both.

The steps to sign up for in person verification at a Post Office include entering information online first.

From the Claimant Portal, enter your personal information, then follow the steps for identity verification. You will choose to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You will be entering information online then receiving a barcode to take to the Post Office.

Once you complete the steps online and receive your barcode, you can verify your identity at any participating Post Office in the country. It is okay if the closest participating Post Office is not in Wisconsin.

USPS will post any service alerts to their website.

Once you have completed the steps online to verify your identity in person, you will receive a barcode to take to the Post Office.

Bring your barcode and identification document to the Post Office with you. Telling the staff you are there for "identity verification" or "in person proofing" will help them assist you.

USPS will post any service alerts to their website.

Claimants who can't go online need to verify their identity through another process. Call the Help Center at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 during business hours for assistance.

If you are having trouble viewing links once you are authorized for online services, you can try to clear your cache and cookies; then restart your device. If you're still having trouble, call the Help Center at (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 during business hours.

Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of account security that uses two factors of information to verify your identity. These factors usually include something you know (like a username and password) plus something you own (like a cell phone) to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account even if your password has been stolen or compromised.

With single-factor authentication, if someone has access to your username and password, they will have full access to your Claimant Portal account. With two-factor authentication in place, protected information cannot be accessed if your username and password are stolen. If someone tries to access your Claimant Portal account, they will need your password and the code accessible only by you.

Yes, you must still enter your username and password. Two-factor authentication is an added layer of security on top of those credentials.

You will be asked to set up two-factor authentication before you can access your Claimant Portal account. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your authentication method.

This flyer shows the steps to set up two-factor authentication.

There are three methods for enrolling in two-factor authentication:

• Text Message – You will receive a text message on your mobile phone with a code.
• Phone Call – You will receive a phone call on your primary or mobile phone number where a code will be read to you.
• Authenticator App – To use an authenticator application, you must download an authenticator app to your device, if you don't already have one. Authenticator apps generate secure codes you will enter when asked.

You should only set up two-factor authentication on a phone that you will have access to every time you need to log on to your Claimant Portal account to certify and access your UI information. If you choose to use an authenticator app(s), be sure to download the apps on your mobile device before you enroll.

You are encouraged to enroll in multiple authentication methods on different devices in case you change your phone number, misplace your phone, or delete a mobile app.

If the text message isn't delivered, you may need to check with your mobile phone provider. Note: Standard text message and data rates may apply.

​If you receive a code that you did not request, it means someone may be attempting to gain access to your account. If this happens, it is recommended that you log on to your Claimant Portal account and change your password. You do not need to file a fraud report in this instance.

It is recommended that you trust the device unless you're on a public or shared computer. If you choose to remember your device, you will not be asked to enter a verification code the next time you log on with the same device. NOTE: Your device will no longer be a trusted device if you clear your cookies.

Each time you log on from a non-trusted device, you will be asked to enter a verification code which will be sent to your default two-factor authentication method. If you cannot successfully enter the verification code, you will need to reset your account. By resetting your account, you will be required to complete an authorization process to verify your identity, and your two-factor authentication will be deactivated.

Only reset your account as a last resort. Benefit payments could be delayed until this process has been completed.

Yes, you will need to authenticate for each browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) or device (mobile device, tablet, computer, etc.) that you use to log on to your Claimant Portal.  Each browser on each device that you use will require two-factor authentication. 

You can make changes to your two-factor authentication settings by going to the "Profile Settings" page and choosing "Two-Factor Authentication." As long as you can verify one of your authentication methods, you can set up additional authentication methods and update or remove existing methods.

f you no longer have access to your two-factor authentication method(s), you will need to reset your account. By resetting your account, you will be required to complete an authorization process to verify your identity, and your two-factor authentication will be deactivated.

Only reset your account as a last resort. Benefit payments could be delayed until this process has been completed.

It is highly recommended that you enable more than one two-factor authentication method. This will allow you to regain access to your account if you lose access to your default method. You can also update existing methods, such as switching to a different phone number, through your account.