General Questions FAQs
- I want to register as a new employer and get a SUTA account number.
To register as a new employer and get a SUTA (State Unemployment Tax Act) account number in Indiana, follow these steps:
1. Go to the Uplink ESS Login Page.
2. Select "First Time User" and follow prompts to create your username and password.
3. You will need your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), legal business name, NAICS code, mailing address, Indiana work location, date of first payroll, and responsible party information.
4. Complete Registration.
5. Once complete and approved, you will receive your SUTA account number. - Are employees on 90 day probationary period eligible?
Yes, employees on a 90-day probationary period may still be eligible for unemployment benefits in Indiana if they meet the general eligibility requirements. The probationary status does not automatically disqualify someone from receiving unemployment insurance.
Eligibility is based on factors such as:
- The reason for separation from employment (e.g., laid off, discharged without misconduct, or quit for good cause).
- The employee’s work history and earnings during the “base period.”
- Whether the employee is able and available to work.
- If an employee is let go during or after a probationary period for reasons other than misconduct, they may qualify for benefits.
Each claim is reviewed individually by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
- Do I need to let you know when an employee is no longer employed with us?
While, as an employer in Indiana, you do not need to proactively report every separation to DWD, you should respond promptly to all DWD requests for Information.
If a former employee files for unemployment, you will receive a "Notice of Claim Filed" through your Uplink ESS account. You must respond to this notice and provide details about the employee's separation.
Prompt response to these notices helps determine the employee's eligibility for benefits and protects your business from improper charges.
- How do I upload my wage information?
To upload your wage information to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), follow these steps using the Uplink Employer Self Service (ESS) system:
1. Log in to Uplink ESS
- Go to Uplink ESS and log in with your credentials.
2. Navigate to Wage Reporting
- In the left-hand menu, select “Wage Reporting” or “File Wage Report.”
3. Choose the Upload Option
- Select the option to upload a wage file (required if you have more than 50 employees; optional for fewer).
4. Prepare Your File
- Your file must be in either .CSV (Excel) or ICESA format.
- Use the DWD CSV template and file specifications to ensure your file is formatted correctly.
- Required fields include: SUTA number, FEIN, employee SSN, names, start date, SOC code, work location zip, employment type, gross wages, and 12th day of month employment status.
5. Upload the File
- Click “Browse” to select your file, then click “Upload.”
- The system will check for errors. If any are found, correct them and re-upload.
6. Submit the Report
- Once your file is accepted, review the summary and click “Submit” to finalize your wage report.
7. Confirmation
- Save or print the confirmation page for your records.
- I want to register as a new agent.
To register as a new agent with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), follow these steps:
1. Go to the Uplink ESS website
2. Click “New User.”
3. Select “Agent” when asked if you are registering as a UI Employer or Agent.
4. Indicate “NO” when asked if you already have an existing Indiana DWD account number for the account type selected above.
5. Click “NEXT” and complete the required fields to create your username and password.
- You will need a unique email address not already used in ESS.
6. Accept the user agreement.
7. Print the New User Account Confirmation Screen for your records.
8. Check your email for a verification message.
- If it goes to your spam/junk folder, move it to your inbox before clicking the link.
9. Click the verification link to activate your account and return to the login screen.
10. Log in and complete your Agent Profile.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, see the New Agent Registration Tutorial.
If you need help, contact the DWD Call Center at 1-800-437-9136.
- How do I protest a claim/claim related questions?
- What do I do if I'm self-employed? I’m self employed, so why do I need to pay into this? I capable of finding employment elsewhere. I don’t abuse this benefit like some folks do.
In Indiana, self-employed individuals are generally not required to pay into the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program unless they have employees. The UI system is funded by employer contributions, not by individual workers or self-employed people who do not have employees.
Here are some key points:
Who Pays UI?
Only employers who pay wages to employees are required to pay into the UI system. Self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, and independent contractors do not pay UI taxes on their own earnings unless they have employees on payroll.Why Employers Pay:The purpose of UI is to provide temporary financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Employers pay into the system to fund these benefits for their employees—not for themselves.
Self-Employed and UI Benefits:Self-employed individuals are typically not eligible for regular UI benefits because they do not pay into the system. However, during special circumstances (like the COVID-19 pandemic), federal programs temporarily allowed self-employed people to receive benefits, but this is not the standard rule.
Finding Work:The UI system is not based on whether someone is capable of finding work or whether they use the benefit. It is a mandatory insurance program for covered employees, not a voluntary program based on individual need or intent.
If you are self-employed and do not have employees, you are not required to pay into Indiana’s UI system. If you have employees, you must pay UI taxes for them, regardless of your own employment situation.
For more details, see the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Unemployment Insurance FAQ and the Claimant Handbook.
