Category: Taxes and Retirement

The maximum SNAP benefit for a Alaska (AK) family of four is $994 per month in fiscal year 2026 — up from $975 last year. Benefits load onto your Alaska Quest Card 1st (all recipients). But 2026 is a more complicated year than most for SNAP. The One Big Beautiful…

The maximum SNAP benefit for a Florida (FL) family of four is $994 per month in fiscal year 2026 — up from $975 last year. Benefits load onto your Florida EBT Card between the 1st and 28th of each month, based on your case number. But 2026 is a more…

Wyoming's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) — provides up to $651 per week in 2026. Wyoming's no-income-tax status and very generous 50% earnings disregard make it one of the friendlier UI systems for workers who can pick up part-time income. However, Wyoming's…

West Virginia's unemployment insurance program — managed by WorkForce West Virginia — provides up to $662 per week in 2026. West Virginia's very generous 50% of WBA earnings disregard stands out as one of the best partial UI policies in the region. West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2014 and has…

Washington State's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) — now provides up to $1,208 per week for new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026, up $56 from the prior $1,152 maximum. That's still the highest maximum of any state in the…

Vermont's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) — provides up to $757 per week in 2026. Vermont has high state income taxes that apply to UI, so recipients should plan for significant state withholding. On the positive side, Vermont's expanded Medicaid (Green Mountain Care)…

Utah's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) — provides up to $801 per week in 2026. Utah has a flat income tax rate, making state tax calculations simple, and an expanded Medicaid program (called Medicaid Expansion in Utah, effective 2020) that ensures most…

South Dakota's unemployment insurance program — managed by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) — provides up to $553 per week in 2026. The no-income-tax advantage means UI recipients keep more of each check compared to workers in high-tax states. However, South Dakota's Medicaid non-expansion leaves a…

South Carolina's unemployment insurance program — managed by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) — provides up to $350 per week in 2026, up from $326, for a maximum of 20 weeks. This short duration and below-average cap put South Carolina near the bottom nationally for UI…

Rhode Island's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) — is notable for its dependents allowance: workers with dependents can receive up to $931 per week in 2026, significantly more than the base maximum of $745. Rhode Island also has a Temporary…

Oregon's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Oregon Employment Department (OED) — provides up to $902 per week in 2026. Oregon has a strong safety net overall, including one of the most comprehensive Medicaid expansions and a relatively new Paid Leave Oregon program. However, Oregon's high state income taxes…

Oklahoma’s unemployment insurance program — managed by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) — provides up to $649 per week in 2026. One important warning for Oklahoma workers: Oklahoma did NOT expand Medicaid under the ACA until 2021, and while SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) now covers more adults, coverage gaps can…

North Dakota's unemployment insurance program — managed by Job Service North Dakota (JSND) — provides up to $815 per week in 2026. North Dakota also has one of the most generous partial UI earnings disregards in the country at 60% of WBA — giving workers the most flexibility for part-time…