Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance

Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers who have recently lost their job through no fault of their own.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:¹

1. at least $6,300 during the base period, which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to filing your claim, and
2. total base-period wages of at least 30 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) you are eligible to collect.

For example, if your calculated WBA is 250, you must have earned at least 250 × 30 = 7,500 in wages during the base period to meet the 30-times-WBA requirement.

How much will I get from unemployment in Massachusetts?

According to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, Massachusetts currently pays up to $1,154 each week — one of the most generous in the country, and an additional $25 per dependent child — capped at 50% of your benefit rate.¹

For example, if you are receiving $100 per week in UI and have three dependents, your allowance is capped at $50.

Is there a time limit on unemployment benefits in Massachusetts?

Yes. Benefits in Massachusetts are limited to 30 weeks within a benefit year. Once the maximum has been paid, payments end, and receiving further benefits generally requires a new benefit year and meeting the wage requirements again.

How do I file for unemployment in Massachusetts?

You can file your initial claim using UI Online  or if you wish to file your claim over the phone, please call TeleClaim Center at (877) 626-6800.

Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance
TeleClaim Center (DUA)
(877) 626-6800