Unemployment portal shuts down Aug 17-28 — you have until the 16th to file

The Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH) announced today that it will completely shut down its unemployment claims portal from August 17 to 28 to migrate to a new digital system called "Desempleo Digital" (Digital Unemployment) ¹². That means if you're collecting unemployment benefits or planning to file a claim, your real deadline is August 16 — after that, the old system ceases to exist and the new one doesn't open until September.

DTRH Secretary Maria del Pilar Velez Casanova explained that the new platform will allow access from computers, tablets, or phones, real-time claim status verification, digital notifications, and fully electronic correspondence ¹. It's a major upgrade to the current system, which has given thousands of claimants technical headaches for years.

Shutdown details

Here's the timeline ¹²:

• Now through August 16: the old portal operates normally. File all your pending weeks BEFORE that date.
• August 17-28: complete shutdown. No filing, no checking status, no system access whatsoever.
• September 2026: Desempleo Digital, the new platform, goes live.

The DTRH confirmed that weeks falling during the shutdown period (August 17-28) can be claimed retroactively once the new system launches ¹². So you won't lose eligible weeks — but you'll have to claim them after the fact, which adds an extra step.

New system, new requirements

This is where things get important for every claimant ¹:

• Personal email required: you need a personal email address (not shared) to create your new Desempleo Digital account.
• Direct deposit mandatory: all payments will be made via direct deposit. You need an active bank account with your information ready.
• New account required: all beneficiaries must create a new account in the system — old portal credentials won't transfer.

This is critical because many people, especially seniors or those in rural areas, don't have personal email or use digital banking. The DTRH is offering in-person orientations to help with the transition ².

Scheduled orientations and job fairs

The DTRH announced three orientation events before the shutdown, all running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ¹²:

• August 5: Coliseo Salvador Dijols, Ponce
• August 11: Centro de Convenciones Santiago R. Palmer, San German
• August 13: Hacienda Sabanera El Salon, Cidra

These events combine new system orientation with job fairs — so if you're job hunting, you can also connect with employers.

What this means for you

If you receive unemployment or know someone who does, this requires action BEFORE August 16. It's not optional.

The old system is going away. If you don't file your weeks in time, you'll have to wait until September to do it retroactively — and that means weeks without payment while the new system stabilizes. Plus, if you don't have a personal email or bank account for direct deposit, you need to sort that out NOW, not when the new system opens.

The window is tight: you have exactly 16 days from today (July 31) to get everything current on the old portal.

How to prepare / Checklist

1. Log into the current portal at trabajo.pr.gov and file ALL pending weeks before August 16.
2. Create a personal email if you don't have one (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo — any works). Don't use an email shared with someone else.
3. Verify your bank account for direct deposit. Make sure you have your routing number and account number ready.
4. Attend an orientation if you can: Ponce (Aug 5), San German (Aug 11), or Cidra (Aug 13), from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5. Save all your documents from the old portal — take screenshots or download confirmations of filed claims.
6. Mark your calendar: September for creating your new account on Desempleo Digital and retroactively claiming the shutdown weeks.
7. For questions: call the DTRH or visit trabajo.pr.gov for updates on the exact opening date of the new system.

What's next

Desempleo Digital is expected to launch in September 2026, though the DTRH hasn't given an exact date ¹. The agency had already delayed the launch once in June to give employers time to complete quarterly payroll reports ¹. It remains to be seen whether they'll hit the September timeline or face another delay.

Meanwhile, the modernization is necessary — the current system is outdated and constantly plagued with issues — but the transition will be a headache for the thousands of people who depend on these benefits. The most important thing right now: don't let August 16 pass without filing.

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Sources

¹ El Nuevo Dia — Plataforma de desempleo cerrara varios dias en agosto

² El Vocero — Cerraran portal de desempleo temporeramente