CHEYENNE — Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment claims in Wyoming have quadrupled. To meet that demand and better serve citizens seeking benefits, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) announced changes to its unemployment insurance claims filing process.

“Unemployment claims in Wyoming have quadrupled since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rapid increase in claims requires us to adjust our processes to meet demand,” said Robin Sessions Cooley, director for DWS.

The change, which was announced April 1 by the (DWS) unemployment insurance division, went into effect immediately, and persons wishing to file a claim for new or continued benefits should do so based on the guidelines listed below:

If your last name begins with A-M: please file your claim on Monday, Wednesday or before noon on Friday.

If your last name begins with N-Z: please file your claim on Tuesday, Thursday or after noon on Friday.

Claimants needing a password or PIN reset in order to file for benefits should send an email to: dwscspui.benefits@wyo.gov. When requesting a PIN/password reset, claimants should include their name, the last four digits of their social security number, and their phone number.

For more information on unemployment insurance benefits, please visit: http://wyomingworkforce.org/workers/ui/.