Using the New System in IowaWORKS (For Individuals)

Moving from two systems into a single, central location.

• You will now be able to complete every step in the unemployment process and access all information about your claim from a single location, using one account.

Replacing outdated technology with a more efficient system.

• Overall, the unemployment process has been simplified and moved to improved technology. As part of this, several behind-the-scenes steps that previously were done manually now will take place automatically, making processing more efficient.

Improving both the user experience and overall security.

• Having the unemployment system in IowaWORKS means your personal information is stored in a single, secure place. A new central hub helps you manage everything about your claim from this single starting point.

You should be able to log into the system as usual using your iowaworks.gov login information and password. (Usually your email.)

• Visit iowaworks.govand select "Sign In/Register" and then "individual" to log in.

• At the log in screen, use the same credentials that you've used before to log into IowaWORKS.

• Once logged in, you will see options for both career services and unemployment. Selecting the unemployment services option will take you to a hub where you will be able to handle all of the steps involving your claim, including filing new and weekly claims.

If your occupation makes you exempt from searching for work during seasonal layoffs, you could be “new” to the iowaworks.gov system even though you’ve filed previous unemployment claims with IWD. If this situation applies to you, take the following steps on June 3 or after: 

• Visit iowaworks.gov and select the link for “Sign In/Register" and then "Individual."

• On the next screen, scroll down and select "Individual Registration" and then follow the steps.

• Once you reach new registration, the system will ask you to enter your Social Security Number.
  • If IWD has a record of a previous claim filed by you, the system will recognize your SSN and ask you if you want to recover your old account.
  • During this process, it will show you the username we’ve created (usually your email address, if we have it) and force you to reset your password.
• After completing this process, the previous account information will be fully transferred into the new system, and you will only use iowaworks.gov moving forward.
• Note: If you're having issues with logging in, contact our customer service.

If you’ve never filed an unemployment claim in Iowa, simply visit iowaworks.gov to get started. 

• Once on the site, select “Sign In/Register” and then “Individual.”

• Once on the login screen, scroll down and select "Individual Registration" and follow the steps to register.

• During this process, you also will be required to verify your identity through multi-factor authentication.
• After registering, you will see a section for unemployment services and clear instructions on how to file your claim. 

• Starting on June 3rd, all users of iowaworks.gov will be required to use multi-factor authentication when logging into the website, meaning that an additional verification method will be needed to verify who you are. This is done through either a text message or email.
• This additional layer of security is a common practice on many different websites and is an enhanced security feature of the new system that 1) protects your information and 2) proves that you are who you say you are when logging in.
• Instructions on how to use Multi-Factor Authentication can be found below:
  • View Instructions: Using Multi-Factor Authentication on IowaWORKS