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Unemployment Benefits Calculator by State

Estimate your weekly unemployment benefit amount for 2026. Select your state to see how much you may receive.

$235–$1,152

Max Benefit Range/wk

12–30

Duration (weeks)

7

No Waiting Period

~10

Dependency Allowance

Standard 26 Weeks
Variable Duration
Under 26 Weeks

All 50 States

How Unemployment Benefits Work

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Benefits are funded by employer payroll taxes and administered by each state.

Eligibility

To qualify, you typically must have earned a minimum amount during a "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), been laid off or terminated without cause, and be actively seeking work.

How Benefits Are Calculated

Most states calculate your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) as a fraction of your highest-earning quarter or an average of your top quarters. Each state sets its own minimum and maximum weekly benefit. Benefits typically last 26 weeks but vary by state.

Waiting Period

Some states require a one-week waiting period before benefits begin. Others pay from the first week of eligibility.

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Your actual results may vary.