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How many job searches do you need for unemployment in Kentucky?

What counts as a work search in Kentucky

• Formally submitting a job application, in person or online (counts toward the 3)
• A job interview, in person or online (counts toward the 3)
• Job shadowing
• Going to a job fair or networking event run by a state or local government or a business group
• Taking part in a job search skills workshop or seminar
• Taking part in a Kentucky Career Center or partner program training related to finding work

More on this in what counts as a work search contact.

How to report your job contacts

Each time you request payment in the claims portal, you give details of your work search for each of the two weeks. You must also keep proof of every activity yourself, like application confirmation emails or screenshots, interview emails, a signed employer letter, a business card from a job fair, or a workshop certificate.

When: Request payment every two weeks, starting on your Sunday request date, in the claims portal at uiclaimsportal.ky.gov. You can request Sunday through Friday. If your employer filed an E-Claim, you request weekly instead.

Where: Unemployment Insurance Claims Portal.

When the search starts: From your first week, including the unpaid waiting week. You must do your work search for the waiting week for it to count.

Keep a work search log

Keep proof of all work search activities until 1 year after your claim expires. OUI doesn’t have its own log form that we could find. Write down the date, employer, how you contacted them, the job, who you talked to and what happened.

The free myjobcontacts app keeps the same details. Prefer paper? Use the free printable work search log.

Who doesn’t have to search

• You are a member of a trade union that finds work for you
• You are a student in an approved training program and have a determination saying so
• You have a definite recall date (within 1 year of filing per the July 2026 claimant guide; the web page says within 16 weeks)
• You are on a temporary leave of absence and still an employee
• Your employer filed a mass electronic claim (E-Claim) or a Work Share claim for you
• You must upload proof of your exemption when you file, or you will have to search

Union members: If you belong to a trade union or hiring hall that finds work for you, you don't have to do the work search. Upload proof when you file.

See work search exemptions for how these work in other states.

Reviews, audits and RESEA

The Office of Unemployment Insurance can verify or randomly audit your work search for up to 1 year after your claim expires. If you get an audit notice, you must send supporting proof for every week being audited. Claims can also be picked for quality control audits by mail or email.

What to expect: unemployment work search audits.

If you miss your number

If you don't meet the work search rule, you are not paid for those weeks. If an audit finds you can't prove your activities, you may have to repay benefits already paid.

Sign up with the job bank

If you live in Kentucky, create an account at Citizen Connect and upload proof of registration in the claims portal within 10 days of filing. If you live in another state, register with that state's job service and send proof within 10 days. Union members and people with a definite return date within 16 weeks don't need to send registration proof. Citizen Connect.

Questions people in Kentucky ask

How many job searches are required for unemployment in Kentucky?

You must do at least 5 work search activities each week you claim. At least 3 of the 5 must be job applications or job interviews. You give details of your work search with each two-week payment request, and you keep proof of every activity.

What counts as a work search in Kentucky?

Formally submitting a job application, in person or online (counts toward the 3); A job interview, in person or online (counts toward the 3); Job shadowing; Going to a job fair or networking event run by a state or local government or a business group, and 2 more on the list above. Check your notice for anything your state added for you.

Do I have to keep a work search log in Kentucky?

Each time you request payment in the claims portal, you give details of your work search for each of the two weeks. You must also keep proof of every activity yourself, like application confirmation emails or screenshots, interview emails, a signed employer letter, a business card from a job fair, or a workshop certificate. Keep proof of all work search activities until 1 year after your claim expires.

What happens if I don’t do enough job searches in Kentucky?

If you don't meet the work search rule, you are not paid for those weeks. If an audit finds you can't prove your activities, you may have to repay benefits already paid.

Who doesn’t have to look for work in Kentucky?

You are a member of a trade union that finds work for you. You are a student in an approved training program and have a determination saying so. You have a definite recall date (within 1 year of filing per the July 2026 claimant guide; the web page says within 16 weeks). Your notice will say if this applies to you.

Does Kentucky check or audit work search records?

The Office of Unemployment Insurance can verify or randomly audit your work search for up to 1 year after your claim expires. If you get an audit notice, you must send supporting proof for every week being audited. Claims can also be picked for quality control audits by mail or email.

Checked against OUI’s own pages and rules on November 6, 2026. We could not confirm the recent change, how RESEA works, who doesn’t have to search on an official page, so check your notice for those.

Work search rules in every state

myjobcontacts is not a government website and this is not legal advice. Rules change, and your own claim notice or letter is what counts. If something here doesn’t match what your state told you, follow your state.