Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance

Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to eligible Rhode Island workers who have 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 Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, to qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters) and must have, prior to filing a claim, either:¹

1. earned at least $19,200 in base period wages, or
2. met all three of the following:
   • at least $3,200 in one of your base period quarters,
   • total base period wages of at least $6,400, and
   • total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter of earnings.

For example, if your highest-paid quarter was $4,800, your total base-period wages must be at least $7,200 (4,800 × 1.5), and at least $6,400 overall, to qualify under the second route.²

How much do I get for unemployment in Rhode Island?

According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, for new claims with an effective date of July 1, 2026, or later, the maximum weekly benefit amount is set at $777, an increase of $32 from the previous rate of $745. It is set at 57.5% of the average weekly wage for covered employment.³

The dependents’ allowance is an additional $15 or 5% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater, per dependent, up to a maximum of five dependents.

How long do unemployment benefits last in Rhode Island?

A claimant in Rhode Island may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. Payment continues only for the weeks in which the claimant remains eligible and certifies, as required, that they are able to work, available for work and searching for it.

How do I claim my weekly unemployment benefits in RI?

Claims for weekly benefits may be filed online  within 7 days of your last day of employment or if you wish to file your initial claim over the phone, call UI Call center at (401) 415-6772.

NEW claimants must post a resume to EmployRI by the 6th consecutive week of collecting UI benefits. Failure to do so will cause a delay or loss of benefits. ⁴

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Division of Unemployment Insurance
(401) 415-6772