Unemployment Benefits
by State — Complete 2026 Guide
Every state has different rules, amounts, and durations. Find your state below — and know exactly what you’re entitled to.
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The table below shows state maximums — your actual benefit depends on your salary. Use our free calculator to see exactly what you’d receive.
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All 50 States — Benefits Table
Search your state or scroll to find your row. Click “File Now” to go directly to your state’s official filing portal.
| State | Max Weekly Benefit | Max Weeks | Rating | File Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $275 | 14–20 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Alaska | $442 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Arizona | $320 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Arkansas | $451 | 16 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| California | $450 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Colorado | $889 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Connecticut | $741 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Delaware | $400 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Florida | $275 | 12 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Georgia | $365 | 14–20 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Hawaii | $763 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Idaho | $507 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Illinois | $742 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Indiana | $390 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Iowa | $598 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Kansas | $560 | 16–26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Kentucky | $662 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Louisiana | $247 | 26 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Maine | $556 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Maryland | $430 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Massachusetts | $1,033 | 30 wks | Best | File Now → |
| Michigan | $362 | 20 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Minnesota | $857 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Mississippi | $235 | 26 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Missouri | $320 | 20 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Montana | $742 | 28 wks | High | File Now → |
| Nebraska | $462 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Nevada | $496 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| New Hampshire | $427 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| New Jersey | $854 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| New Mexico | $511 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| New York | $504 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| North Carolina | $350 | 12–20 wks | Low | File Now → |
| North Dakota | $760 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Ohio | $691 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Oklahoma | $539 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Oregon | $812 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Pennsylvania | $572 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Rhode Island | $1,015 | 26 wks | Best | File Now → |
| South Carolina | $326 | 20 wks | Low | File Now → |
| South Dakota | $514 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Tennessee | $275 | 26 wks | Low | File Now → |
| Texas | $563 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Utah | $727 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Vermont | $823 | 26 wks | High | File Now → |
| Virginia | $378 | 12–26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Washington | $1,019 | 26 wks | Best | File Now → |
| West Virginia | $424 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Wisconsin | $425 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
| Wyoming | $508 | 26 wks | Mid | File Now → |
Benefits not enough to cover your expenses?
If your state’s maximum benefit falls short of your monthly bills, a personal loan can bridge the gap. LendingTree compares offers from multiple lenders — check your rate in minutes with no impact to your credit score.
💰 Loans While Unemployed →How Your Benefit Amount Is Calculated
Your weekly benefit isn’t just based on the state maximum — it’s calculated from your actual earnings during a 12–18 month “base period.” Most states take your highest-earning quarter and multiply it by a set rate (typically 40–60%) to arrive at your weekly amount. If the result exceeds the state maximum, you receive the cap instead.
This means two people in the same state can have very different benefit amounts. A worker earning $35,000/year in California would receive significantly less than the $450 maximum, while someone earning $80,000/year would hit the cap.
Denied in your state? Don’t give up.
A denial is not final. Most fired workers who appeal and attend their hearing win — regardless of what their employer claimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Massachusetts offers the highest maximum weekly benefit at $1,033 and the longest standard duration at 30 weeks — making it the most generous state by total potential payout. Washington ($1,019) and Rhode Island ($1,015) are close seconds. Colorado stands out for having one of the highest maximums relative to median wages. If you have the flexibility to establish residency and work history in these states, the difference in benefits can be substantial.
Florida has both the lowest maximum duration (12 weeks) and one of the lowest maximum weekly amounts ($275) — making it the least generous state by most measures. Mississippi has the lowest maximum weekly benefit at $235, though its duration is 26 weeks. If you live in one of these states, planning ahead for the gap between exhausting benefits and finding work is especially important.
You file in the state where you worked, not where you currently live. If you’ve since moved, you can still file remotely with your former work state’s agency — most accept online claims regardless of your current location. You’ll receive benefits based on that state’s rules and your earnings history there.
Not necessarily — there’s no consistent correlation between benefit generosity and eligibility strictness. Massachusetts and Washington, both high-benefit states, have relatively standard eligibility rules. Eligibility standards are driven more by political history and labor market policy than by benefit levels. Always file regardless of your state — let the agency make the determination.
Disclaimer: Benefit amounts and durations are based on publicly available state data as of early 2026 and may change. Always verify current rules with your state’s official unemployment agency before filing. This content is for informational purposes only.