Tennessee Unemployment Benefits

To qualify in Tennessee, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period, been separated from work through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. You must also meet ongoing work search requirements.

Yes, but your benefits will be reduced. Tennessee's rule: greater of $50 or 25% of WBA disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings weekly, including contract/freelance income.

Yes, you can do contract or part-time work while collecting unemployment in Tennessee, but your earnings will reduce your weekly benefit. Tennessee's partial earnings rule: greater of $50 or 25% of WBA disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings for the week you performed the work (not when you received payment). If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim remains active. Important: independent contractor income counts as earnings and must be reported weekly.

Tennessee offers between 12 and 20 weeks of benefits depending on your work history and base period wages.

Tennessee calculates your weekly benefit using the formula: statutory benefit table based on average of two highest-earning quarters (~1/26). The maximum weekly benefit is $325 and the minimum is $30.

Tennessee ties your benefit duration (12–20 weeks) to your base period earnings relative to your weekly benefit amount. Workers with more consistent employment history receive longer durations.