🚀 BIG Changes to Louisiana Unemployment Insurance! 📈

By: Kennedy Wells
Following legislation passed during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, changes are being made to unemployment insurance.

There will be an increase in work search requirements. Those filing claims will need to complete five work-search activities each week, as opposed to the current requirement of three.

Activities include:
- Applying for jobs
- Attending interviews
- Updating a résumé
- Participating in job-search or training programs

There have also been changes made to eligibility requirements. According to Louisiana Works, a person may lose eligibility for benefits if, without good reason, they:

• Don’t apply for available, suitable work
• Refuse a suitable job offer
• Miss a scheduled job interview
• Fail to return to customary self-employment
• Decline to take part in an approved training program when directed by Louisiana Works

The law officially takes effect Dec. 31, 2025, and will be applied to new claims filed on or after Jan. 4, 2026.

Louisiana Works Secretary Susan Schowen says this change is meant to improve accountability and help job seekers find more opportunities.

“Unemployment insurance is meant to support workers while they’re searching for their next opportunity,” Schowen said. “By strengthening work search requirements and creating a more efficient process for employers to report violations, we are improving accountability and connecting more jobseekers to real opportunities.”

For more information on the new requirements visit www.laworks.net.