Dept. of Employment Security — 1-844-224-5818
+18442245818,,1,,2
Commas are ~1-second pauses. Automates the menu on every redial.
Weekly certifications and claim status can be managed through Jobs4TN.gov.
We auto-dial, navigate the menu, and call you when a live DES agent is on the line. Average connection: 25 minutes.
| Line | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Insurance Claims | 1-844-224-5818 | M–F 8am–4pm CT |
| Employer Services | 1-615-741-2352 | M–F 8am–4pm CT |
| Fraud Hotline | 1-800-689-7777 | 24/7 |
| TTY (hearing impaired) | 711 | M–F 8am–4pm CT |
Tennessee requires claimants to make at least three job contacts per week and register with Tennessee's labor exchange system (Jobs4TN). Contacts must be recorded in the Jobs4TN portal. Failure to complete required work search activities can disqualify you from benefits — if you have questions about what counts, call DES directly.
You have 15 calendar days from the mailing date of the determination to appeal to the DES Appeals Tribunal. Tennessee's 15-day window is among the shortest in the country. If you miss this window and believe there's good cause, you can request a late appeal — but that requires demonstrating extraordinary circumstances.