Policy and Systems

After we receive your application, we will mail your first claim to you. Claims for subsequent 14-day periods will be mailed to you for as long as you remain unemployed and eligible for benefits. You must complete and return each claim promptly by mail, or file online at www.rrb.gov or you may lose benefits. The time for filing a claim, including time for mailing, is limited to 15 days from the last day of the claim period or 15 days from the date the claim form was mailed to you, whichever is later.

Read more about Instructions for Completing Claim for Unemployment Benefits (Form UI-3)

Section F - Certification And Signature

Item 17 is self-explanatory.

Read more about Section F - Certification And Signature

Section E - Direct Deposit Information

Item 16

The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) requires all federal benefit payments to be made electronically. You will need to choose an electronic payment option. You can choose to have your payments made by Direct Deposit to a bank, savings and loan, credit union account or other financial institution or to a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®. Both options save money by eliminating the need to print and mail checks.

Read more about Section E - Direct Deposit Information

Section D - Other Benefits

Item 15
Unemployment benefits under the Act are not pay-able, or are payable at a reduced amount, if you are also receiving social security benefits, military retirement pay, retainer pay, or any other retirement, unemployment or survivor benefits provided by law.

Read more about Section D - Other Benefits

Section C - School Information

Item 14 is self-explanatory.

Read more about Section C - School Information

Section B - Employment Information

Item 7
- Enter the name of the railroad company for which you worked most recently (for example, “Amtrak”) in Item 7a.
- Enter the title of your job (for example, “Trainman”) in Item 7b.
- Enter the city and state where you last performed your railroad job in Item 7c.
- Check the box in Item 7d that indicates why you are not now working for your last railroad employer.

Read more about Section B - Employment Information

Section A - Identifying Information

Items 1 - 6 are self-explanatory.

Read more about Section A - Identifying Information

Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Notices

This notice is given under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Privacy Act of 1974. The Privacy Act requires that the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) tell you the following whenever we ask you for information.

Read more about Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Notices

Instructions for Completing Application for Unemployment Benefits and Employment Service Form (Form UI-1)

To apply for unemployment benefits, complete the pdf icon UI-1 and mail it to your local RRB office. You can also obtain an application from your railroad employer or union official. Your application must be received at the RRB within 30 days of the first day for which you wish to claim benefits. You may lose benefits if your application is filed late.