Unemployment FAQs

To qualify for benefits, the applicant must meet the following criteria (this could differ for those impacted by COVID-19):

• Be unemployed when the application is filed
• Earned sufficient wages in employment that is covered by Kansas Unemployment Security Law
• Be unemployed through no fault of the individual

School employees do not generally qualify for benefits during:

• Scheduled breaks in the school year
• Between school years or terms if they have a contract or reasonable assurance of returning to work in the same or similar capacity in the next term

You can file your claim online GetKansasBenefits.gov or by contacting an Unemployment Call Center below.

Kansas City: (913) 596-3500

Topeka: (785) 575-1460

Wichita: (316) 383-9947

Toll-Free: (800) 292-6333

The Department of Labor will consider several things when determining if reasonable assurance exists. These may include:

• The past employer/employee relationship
• An established understanding that the employee will return to work
• If the employee has placed his/her name on a list of available workers
• Whether the employee has reason to believe he/she will not be called back

Notice should include clear verbiage giving the individual reasonable assurance. Notice should include:

• Business/employer name
• Date
• Employee’s name
• Issuer’s name and position
• Starting date of school year
• Ending date of school year
• Dates of any scheduled vacations
• Dates of any holiday periods