Unemployment Benefits by State 2026

Compare unemployment benefits across all 50 states. Understand how much you can receive, how long benefits last, and how gig work affects your eligibility.

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Eligibility, weekly amounts, and duration are set by each state agency and change frequently. Always verify and apply through your official state unemployment office.

Highest Max Benefit

$1,033/week (DOL 2026)

Massachusetts

Lowest Max Benefit

$235/week (DOL 2026)

Mississippi

Longest Duration

28 weeks

Montana

National Average

$532/week

24 weeks avg duration

States with Highest Benefits

Massachusetts

$1033/week max

Washington

$999/week max

Rhode Island

$867/week max

Minnesota

$857/week max

New Jersey

$854/week max

Colorado

$823/week max

Hawaii

$823/week max

Connecticut

$759/week max

Oregon

$733/week max

Illinois

$707/week max

All States Comparison

State	Max Weekly	Min Weekly	Duration	Waiting Week	Part-Time OK
Alabama	$275	$45	14 wks	Yes	Full-time
Alaska	$370	$56	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Arizona	$320	$187	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Arkansas	$451	$81	16 wks	Yes	Full-time
California	$450	$40	26 wks	No	Yes
Colorado	$823	$25	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Connecticut	$759	$15	26 wks	No	Full-time
Delaware	$400	$20	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Florida	$275	$32	12 wks	Yes	Full-time
Georgia	$365	$55	14 wks	Yes	Full-time
Hawaii	$823	$5	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Idaho	$532	$72	20 wks	Yes	Full-time
Illinois	$707	$51	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Indiana	$390	$37	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Iowa	$591	$87	26 wks	No	Full-time
Kansas	$560	$137	16 wks	Yes	Full-time
Kentucky	$569	$39	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Louisiana	$275	$10	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Maine	$589	$82	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Maryland	$430	$50	26 wks	No	Full-time
Massachusetts	$1033	$58	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Michigan	$362	$117	20 wks	Yes	Full-time
Minnesota	$857	$28	26 wks	No	Full-time
Mississippi	$235	$30	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Missouri	$320	$35	20 wks	Yes	Full-time
Montana	$604	$163	28 wks	Yes	Full-time
Nebraska	$552	$68	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Nevada	$517	$16	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
New Hampshire	$427	$32	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
New Jersey	$854	$121	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
New Mexico	$531	$86	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
New York	$504	$104	26 wks	No	Yes
North Carolina	$350	$15	12 wks	Yes	Full-time
North Dakota	$673	$43	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Ohio	$561	$133	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Oklahoma	$539	$16	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Oregon	$733	$157	26 wks	No	Yes
Pennsylvania	$594	$68	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Rhode Island	$867	$56	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
South Carolina	$326	$42	20 wks	Yes	Full-time
South Dakota	$487	$28	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Tennessee	$275	$30	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Texas	$563	$73	26 wks	No	Full-time
Utah	$668	$31	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Vermont	$589	$75	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Virginia	$378	$60	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Washington	$999	$315	26 wks	Yes	Yes
Washington D.C.	$444	$50	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
West Virginia	$424	$24	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Wisconsin	$370	$54	26 wks	Yes	Full-time
Wyoming	$560	$36	26 wks	Yes	Full-time

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the highest unemployment benefits?

Massachusetts has the highest maximum weekly unemployment benefit at $1,033 per week. Washington follows at $999, and Rhode Island at $867.

Which state has the longest unemployment benefits?

Montana offers the longest standard unemployment duration at 28 weeks. Most states offer 26 weeks, while some like Florida and North Carolina only offer 12 weeks.

Can I work gig jobs while receiving unemployment?

Yes, in most states you can work part-time or gig jobs while receiving unemployment. However, you must report all earnings, and your benefits will typically be reduced based on what you earn. Each state has different rules for earnings disregards.

How are unemployment benefits calculated?

Most states calculate benefits as a percentage of your highest quarter earnings, typically around 50%. The specific formula varies by state, with some using two highest quarters or average weekly wages.

Data Sources & Methodology

The information on this page is compiled from the following sources:

[1]
State Labor Dept — Official state-level employment and wage data from respective labor departments.
[2]
DOL — Official federal and state minimum wage laws and regulations.Visit
[3]
BLS OEWS — Official federal statistics on employment and wages by occupation and geographic area.Visit

Data Freshness

CategoryUnemployment Benefits

Last Updated2026-04-13

Next Update2026-07-13

We strive to keep all data accurate and up-to-date. Pay rates may vary based on location, experience, and employer.

About this data

Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may be out of date. They are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional career, legal, tax, or financial advice. For the most current pay rates, verify with the original source, a qualified professional, or check the Indeed Flex app directly for real-time shift availability and compensation.

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Unemployment Benefits by State 2026

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