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 $1,105 in Massachusetts.
In some states, there are additional unemployment benefits for claimants with dependents.
For example, Massachusetts pays an additional allowance of $25 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 $1,105, 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 | Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14 | $45 | $275 | |
| Alaska | 26 | $56 | $370 | $24 |
| Arizona | 24 | $229 | $320 | |
| Arkansas | 16 | $81 | $451 | |
| California | 26 | $40 | $450 | |
| Colorado | 26 | $25 | $844 | |
| Connecticut | 26 | $42 | $721 | |
| Delaware | 26 | $20 | $450 | |
| District of Columbia | 26 | $50 | $444 | |
| Florida | 12 | $32 | $275 | |
| Georgia | 14 | $55 | $365 | |
| Hawaii | 26 | $5 | $796 | |
| Idaho | 21 | $72 | $532 | |
| Illinois | 26 | $51 | $578 | $26 |
| Indiana | 26 | $37 | $390 | |
| Iowa | 16 | $90 | $739 | |
| Kansas | 16 | $159 | $637 | |
| Kentucky | 12 | $39 | $720 | |
| Louisiana | 20 | $35 | $275 | |
| Maine | 26 | $108 | $623 | $25 |
| Maryland | 26 | $50 | $430 | |
| Massachusetts | 26 | $60 | $1,105 | $25 |
| Michigan | 20 | $160 | $362 | |
| Minnesota | 26 | $50 | $914 | |
| Mississippi | 26 | $30 | $235 | |
| Missouri | 20 | $35 | $320 | |
| Montana | 28 | $217 | $732 | |
| Nebraska | 26 | $70 | $564 | |
| Nevada | 26 | $16 | $469 | |
| New Hampshire | 26 | $32 | $427 | |
| New Jersey | 26 | $120 | $875 | |
| New Mexico | 26 | $107 | $598 | $25 |
| New York | 26 | $136 | $869 | |
| North Carolina | 12 | $15 | $450 | |
| North Dakota | 26 | $43 | $786 | |
| Ohio | 12 | $157 | $583 | $155 |
| Oklahoma | 16 | $16 | $539 | |
| Oregon | 26 | $204 | $872 | |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | $68 | $605 | $5 |
| Puerto Rico | 26 | $60 | $240 | |
| Rhode Island | 26 | $77 | $745 | $15 |
| South Carolina | 20 | $42 | $350 | |
| South Dakota | 26 | $28 | $553 | |
| Tennessee | 26 | $30 | $325 | |
| Texas | 26 | $75 | $605 | |
| Utah | 26 | $41 | $777 | |
| Vermont | 26 | $80 | $705 | |
| Virginia | 26 | $60 | $378 | |
| Washington | 26 | $366 | $1,152 | |
| West Virginia | 26 | $45 | $662 | |
| Wisconsin | 26 | $54 | $370 | |
| Wyoming | 26 | $45 | $624 |
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
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.
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 $844 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 $721 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
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 $450 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 $796 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 $739 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 $637 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 $720 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 20 weeks of unemployment benefits per 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 $623 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 $1,105 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 $914 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 $732 per week for a maximum of 28 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
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 $564 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 $469 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.
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 $875 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 $598 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 $869 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 $450 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 $786 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 $583 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 $539 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.
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 $872 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 $745 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 $350 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 $553 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 $325 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 $605 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 $777 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 $705 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 $1,152 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 $662 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 $624 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.