Mississippi Unemployment Insurance

Mississippi Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers who become unemployed 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 Mississippi Department of Employment Security, 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. wages in at least two quarters in the first four calendar quarters out of the last five (base period),
2. earned at least $780 in the highest-paid quarter of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 40 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA).

If your calculated WBA is $200, your total base-period wages must be at least $8,000 (40 × $200), and with wages in your highest quarter being at least $780.

How much unemployment benefits can I get in Mississippi?

Mississippi has the lowest maximum unemployment benefits in the nation. Benefit amounts range from a minimum of $30 to a maximum of $235 per week, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.¹

How long can I receive unemployment in Mississippi?

Eligible workers in Mississippi can receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance. The limit is set by state law and may change, so the current figure should be confirmed with the state agency when you file.

How do I file my weekly unemployment claim in Mississippi?

If you worked and earned wages in Mississippi, there are three ways to register and file your weekly claim:

1. online through MDES’ Online Unemployment Services ,
2. in person at the WIN Job Center  nearest you, or
3. by phone by calling (601) 493-9427.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to register for work at WIN Job Center  in your area and provide proof of work search each week that you are collecting benefits.

Mississippi Department of Employment Security
MDES Contact Center
(601) 493-9427