Reopening a Previous Claim

• To reopen a claim, workers must call the Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) TeleClaim Center at 617-626-6800. The center is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Claimants who live outside the local calling area can call 877-626-6800. Workers cannot reopen a previous claim online.
  
  

Maintaining Benefit Eligibility

• If a reopened claim is approved, claimants must remain eligible in order to continue receiving compensation. This includes actively searching for suitable employment and keeping records of their job search. Generally, claimants must accept any employment opportunity that is offered by the Massachusetts LWD.
  
  

Reporting Life Changes

• Whenever an unemployed worker's circumstances change, he must report these changes to his LWD office. Important life changes that affect unemployment benefits include receiving earnings of any kind, moving to a new address, or returning to part-time or full-time work. Claimants who return to full-time work without notifying the LWD can be charged with fraud.
  
  

Filing Weekly Benefit Claims

• Unemployed Massachusetts workers receive benefits for each week they file a benefit claim. If a worker misses filing a weekly claim, she will not receive benefits for that week. Workers can file weekly benefit claims by calling the TeleClaim Center or visiting their local LWD office.