Unemployment Benefits by State
Unemployment insurance (UI), also known as unemployment benefits, is a state-provided insurance that pays money to people who have recently lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
The primary aim is to provide them with income support on a weekly basis during a spell of unemployment — especially for single mothers who have little to fall back on when they lost their jobs.
The basic program provides up to 26 weeks of benefits to unemployed workers, replacing about half of their previous wages, on average. 1
Benefits offered to unemployed workers vary greatly from state to state — from $235 in Mississippi (the lowest for a state) up to $1,015 in Massachusetts.
In some states, there are additional unemployment benefits for claimants with dependents.
For example, Massachusetts pays an additional allowance of $507 per week per child. In Rhode Island, you’ll get additional payment equal to 5% of the weekly benefit for each dependent.
FAQ
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?
Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:
- have lost a job through no fault of your own;
- are unemployed or partially unemployed for one of the COVID-19 reasons permissible under federal law;
- are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
- 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.
Which state pays the most in unemployment benefits?
Massachusetts currently has the highest possible unemployment benefits amount per week, at $1,015, while the lowest is Mississippi with just $235.
Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts and the length of time benefits are determined by state law and vary depending on where you live.
The amount of unemployment compensation you’ll receive is based on your pre-layoff weekly earnings and the maximum unemployment benefits paid in your state.
Benefits are typically paid for a maximum of 26 weeks, depending on location, although a handful of states now offer fewer weeks of benefits.
The following table provides a general overview of the minimum and maximum weekly unemployment benefits in each of the 50 states including District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 2
Unemployment Benefits
| State | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14 | $45 | $275 | |
| Alaska | 26 | $56 | $370 | $72 |
| Arizona | 24 | $216 | $320 | |
| Arkansas | 16 | $81 | $451 | |
| California | 26 | $40 | $450 | |
| Colorado | 26 | $25 | $675 | |
| Connecticut | 26 | $15 | $703 | |
| Delaware | 26 | $20 | $400 | |
| District of Columbia | 26 | $50 | $444 | |
| Florida | 12 | $32 | $275 | |
| Georgia | 14 | $55 | $365 | |
| Hawaii | 26 | $5 | $763 | |
| Idaho | 21 | $72 | $532 | |
| Illinois | 26 | $51 | $578 | $209 |
| Indiana | 26 | $37 | $390 | |
| Iowa | 16 | $82 | $551 | $125 |
| Kansas | 16 | $140 | $560 | |
| Kentucky | 12 | $39 | $626 | |
| Louisiana | 26 | $35 | $275 | |
| Maine | 26 | $94 | $538 | $403 |
| Maryland | 26 | $50 | $430 | |
| Massachusetts | 26 | $55 | $1,015 | $507 |
| Michigan | 20 | $160 | $362 | |
| Minnesota | 26 | $33 | $552 | |
| Mississippi | 26 | $30 | $235 | |
| Missouri | 20 | $35 | $320 | |
| Montana | 26 | $194 | $657 | |
| Nebraska | 26 | $70 | $514 | |
| Nevada | 26 | $16 | $562 | |
| New Hampshire | 26 | $32 | $427 | |
| New Jersey | 26 | $156 | $830 | |
| New Mexico | 26 | $101 | $542 | $50 |
| New York | 26 | $124 | $504 | |
| North Carolina | 12 | $15 | $350 | |
| North Dakota | 26 | $43 | $673 | |
| Ohio | 12 | $157 | $561 | $196 |
| Oklahoma | 16 | $16 | $493 | |
| Oregon | 26 | $183 | $783 | |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | $68 | $605 | $8 |
| Puerto Rico | 26 | $60 | $240 | |
| Rhode Island | 26 | $66 | $680 | $170 |
| South Carolina | 20 | $42 | $326 | |
| South Dakota | 26 | $28 | $487 | |
| Tennessee | 26 | $30 | $275 | |
| Texas | 26 | $72 | $563 | |
| Utah | 26 | $41 | $712 | |
| Vermont | 26 | $80 | $668 | |
| Virginia | 26 | $60 | $378 | |
| Washington | 26 | $317 | $999 | |
| West Virginia | 26 | $24 | $630 | |
| Wisconsin | 26 | $54 | $370 | |
| Wyoming | 26 | $40 | $560 |
How do I apply for unemployment benefits?
Every state runs its own unemployment system. Find the state where you worked at the table above, and it will route you to your state’s unemployment website where you’ll find specific information on how to apply for unemployment compensation.
If you’re not sure about your eligibility, check with your state unemployment office. You don’t want to lose out on unemployment compensation because you didn’t think you would qualify.
FAQ
A “base period” is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Alabama?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $275 per week for a maximum of 14 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Alaska?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $370 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Arizona?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $320 per week for a maximum of 24 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Arizona offers a generous, one-time bonus of $2,000 to eligible individuals who return to the workforce and get a full-time job, while those who return part-time will receive $1,000.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Arkansas?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $451 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in California?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $450 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Colorado?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $675 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Connecticut?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $703 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Through its “Back to Work CT” Program, Connecticut offers a $1,000 bonus, up to 10,000 people who find full-time jobs and maintain it for eight straight weeks.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Delaware?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $400 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in District of Columbia?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $444 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Florida?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $275 per week for a maximum of 12 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Georgia?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $365 per week for a maximum of 14 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Hawaii?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $763 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Idaho?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $532 per week for a maximum of 21 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Illinois?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $578 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Indiana?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $390 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Iowa?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $551 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Kansas?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $560 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Kentucky?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $626 per week for a maximum of 12 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Louisiana?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $275 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Lousiana may increase the state’s weekly maximum unemployment benefit by $28 starting next year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Maine?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $538 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Maryland?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $430 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts offers the most generous jobless benefits in the nation. Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $1,015 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Michigan?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $362 per week for a maximum of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Minnesota?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $552 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Mississippi?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $235 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Missouri?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $320 per week for a maximum of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Montana?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $657 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Montana, through its Return-to-Work Incentive, offers anyone who is eligible, accept employment and complete four full weeks of paid work, a one-time, $1,200 bonus payment.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Nebraska?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $514 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Nevada?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $562 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in New Hampshire?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $427 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Anyone who gets a job making $25 or less and keeps it for eight weeks will be eligible for the Summer Stipend Program, with $500 going to people who take part-time work and $1,000 to people who take full-time work.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in New Jersey?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $830 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in New Mexico?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $542 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in New York?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $504 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in North Carolina?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $350 per week for a maximum of 12 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in North Dakota?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $673 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Ohio?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $561 per week for a maximum of 12 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Oklahoma?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $493 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
Oklahoma offers a $1,200 workforce incentive for people who get off unemployment and go back to work in lieu of the additional weekly $300.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Oregon?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $783 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Pennsylvania?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $605 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Puerto Rico?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $240 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Rhode Island?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $680 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in South Carolina?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $326 per week for a maximum of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in South Dakota?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $487 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Tennessee?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $275 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Texas?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $563 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Utah?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $712 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Vermont?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $668 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Virginia?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $378 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Washington?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $999 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in West Virginia?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $630 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Wisconsin?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $370 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
How much unemployment benefits can I get in Wyoming?
Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $560 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.