Teleserve Number - Illinois Unemployment - IDES - (312) 338..

Best time to call? We say around 4pm.

From IDES: 1 (888) 337....Why certify for benefits (or, why 'claim weeks' of unemployment)?

> (312) 338-4337

If you do not certify, you will not receive Unemployment Insurance benefits!

The term “certification" is used by IDES to describe how you claim (888.337-...weeks of unemployment and receive benefits if you are entitled. This term is used because you are “certifying” on a biweekly basis that your answers to the questions in Tele-Serve about your unemployment status are correct. Your answers to these questions are factors in determining your entitlement to benefits for the weeks for which you are claiming. >> Click for the Tele-Serve brochure | en Español
Note: Before any benefits can be paid on a new claim, you must serve a non-paid "waiting week". Electronic payments made to eligible individuals are generally available within 2-3 business days of certification.

What if the Tele-Serve phone number is busy?

Wait. Call volume is particularly high early in the morning (especially Mondays and Tuesdays). If the number is busy, hang up, and try calling again in the afternoon or up to 8:30 p.m. that same day. Certifying early on your scheduled call date doesn't make payments come any faster.
If you miss your scheduled call date, you may still call on Thursday or Friday of the same week. You may also call on your regular call day the following week (or Thursday or Friday of that week).
Please remember, if you do not certify - or claim weeks - for unemployment benefits, you will not receive any payment.

1099s Mailed by IDES for Tax Year 2008

Chicago (1/27) - Because unemployment benefits are subject to federal and state income tax, each year Form 1099-G is mailed by January 31st to those individuals who received UI benefits in the previous calendar year, using the last address on file. These documents may be forwarded, provided the Post Office has a current "mail forwarding" request on file.

What is the Tele-Serve system?

From 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m, Monday through Friday, including many holidays, the IDES Tele-Serve system is a fast, safe, reliable touch-tone phone service that enables you to do the following from the basic menu:

Press 1	Claim Weeks of Unemployment
Press 2	Reopen Your Claim
Press 3	Check Status Of Your Claim
Press 4	Establish or Change Your PIN
Press 5	Obtain General Information About IDES

When should I certify using Tele-Serve?

Approximately two weeks after you have filed your claim you must certify the first time for benefits by calling Tele-Serve.

Information and instructions will be mailed indicating your Bi-Weekly Certification Call Day and the date you should first call Tele-Serve to certify. If you do not receive this information sheet within two weeks from the date your claim was filed, contact your local office immediately.

After your first certification, you will continue to call Tele-Serve on a biweekly basis on your call day. Your specific date to call Tele-Serve will be printed on your Statement of Certification which will be mailed to you after each time you certify. >> more on this process for those who filed an internet claim

What are the phone numbers?

Statewide Tele-Serve number (including callers in the Chicago area)	888-337-7234
TDD (Hearing Impaired) (Hours for TDD-only: 8:30 - 5:00 on regular business days)	800-662-3943

Unemployment benefits and taxes

Federal tax form 1099-G's are mailed at the end of January each year to those individuals who received UI benefits in the previous calendar year. These documents may be forwarded, provided the U.S. Post Office has a current "mail forwarding" request on file.
Claimants who have not received their 1099 form should also contact the local office where their claim was filed for more information, assistance, or to update their IDES address record. Some individuals may be able to obtain a new form through Tele-Serve.

When you call, be sure to have your:

• social security number
  
• personal identification number (PIN)
  
• earnings before taxes
  
• your latest Statement of Certification
  
• Paper and pencil to record any information given to you during your call
  

Certification Questions You Will Be Asked:

• Have you received or will you receive holiday pay? (Have holiday pay amount available)
  
• Did you work? (Have earnings before taxes available)
  
• Has your dependency status changed?
  
• Were you able to work and available for work?
  
• Did you actively look for work?
  
• Are you receiving or have you applied for a Social Security pension?
  
• Other than Social Security, are you receiving or have you applied for a retirement or disability pension?
  
• Are you attending school or receiving training?
  
• Have you claimed or will you receive workers' compensation for a temporary disability?
  

Address and name changes:

• Has your phone number changed? Enter your new ten-digit telephone number; Tele-Serve will read it back to you for verification. Confirm if correct.
  
• Has your mailing address or name changed?
  
• Call your Local Office during business hours to report address and name changes.
  

Tele-Serve will tell you the number to call or see the directory of local offices.

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Important things to remember about Tele-Serve

Do not hang up until Tele-Serve tells you your claim has been accepted:

"This ends your filing at this time."

Guard your PIN: you are responsible for all activity on your claim! Record your work search efforts each week on the form provided by IDES.