Listed in the table below are the latest maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit/compensation amounts by state. The Unemployment compensation (UC) program is designed to provide benefits to most individuals out of work or in between jobs, through no fault of their own.
Note, the table contains the the maximum regular weekly state unemployment insurance compensation (benefit), including adjustments for dependents where applicable.
In most states the number of dependents you have, prior employment duration (base period) and your prior average weekly wage will impact the unemployment benefits you are eligible to receive. The qualification criteria, including minimum and maximum amounts are set by law.
Please check your respective states unemployment website referenced in the table below for state-specific UI details, benefit eligibility and process to claim/file for benefits.
State unemployment benefit information is constantly changing so if you notice any discrepancies or outdated amounts please leave a comment and I will update the table as appropriate.
Maximum Unemployment Benefits By State
The maximum weekly benefit amounts can change each year based on state laws and average weekly wage bases. Similarly, the maximum weeks of coverage are subject to prevailing state unemployment rates, so can fluctuate widely. Check the included state hyperlinks in the table to get the latest qualification and benefit information.
What’s the highest amount you can get from unemployment?
The Federal-State UC program is a partnership based upon federal law, but administered by state employees under state laws. Thus each state designs its own UC program within the guidelines of the federal requirements, which includes setting the benefit amount along with eligibility and disqualification provisions.
So while the highest amount you can get per week in each state is listed in the table above, the actual weekly benefit amount (WBA) will generally be based on your base period income, dependents and other factors per your state unemployment agency’s guidelines. See the table above for pertinent links to more information.
Steps to Filing and Getting Your Unemployment Claim Processed Quickly
- Filing online via your state’s unemployment website (versus calling or by mail) as soon as possible after losing your job or pay cut is the fastest way to submit an unemployment claim. Particularly in today’s world where call centers are operating at reduced capacity. If you have issues with your claim you will have to likely contact your local State Unemployment Insurance agency. Just be prepared for this to take time.
- Have details of your former jobs/employers (up to 24 months of history), personal (SSN, address) and banking information ready when filing the claim or talking to an agent at your state UI office. Make sure to give complete and correct information to minimize delays with your claim processing. It generally takes two to four weeks after you file your claim to receive your first first benefit check.
- You can get paid by check, debit card or direct deposit. To get your payments in the fastest way go with direct deposit and ensure you have your correct and up to date bank routing and account numbers documented.
- Certify on time (weekly or bi-weekly) to claim your benefits in order to get your unemployment check paid on schedule. One of the main reason people see disruptions is failing to file on time and with the required information. Further, with the new federal programs in place, the unemployment certification requirements could be more onerous so make sure you take time to review your weekly or bi-weekly certification requirements. If you miss several weeks of certification, you may have to file a new claim.
Your state unemployment website will generally allow you to calculate your estimated state unemployment benefits prior to or when submitting a claim. You will need to have your income/wages earned during the four prior calendar quarters (base year period) and also number of hours worked in some instances for each of these quarters.
Since the wages you earn can vary significantly from quarter to quarter, you may want to consider these differences in deciding when to file your claim. Refer to your local state’s website for specifics on calculations and eligibility.
The final amount of your benefit is determined after the State UI division process your application and validates income and employment duration with your employer(s).
Will I Have to Pay Taxes on My Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment insurance is federally taxable income and must be reported on your IRS federal income tax return.
Your local state unemployment agency will send you form 1099-G to file with your tax return (see due dates). This form is sent in late January and outlines the amount of benefits paid to you during the previous year.
You can also choose to withhold income tax (like you do on a paycheck) during the year when receiving benefits with 10 percent being the maximum generally allowed.
State taxes on unemployment vary by state and many states do not tax unemployment benefits, either by law or because they don’t have a state income tax (e.g. Florida).
But many of these states also have the lowest levels of unemployment benefits. See more in this detailed article on unemployment benefit taxes.
Note that up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits under the expired federally funded enhanced extended benefits (PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC) were deemed as non-taxable.
Can I Get Partial Unemployment Benefits
There will situations when workers keep their job, but face a significant drop in income as their hours worked or paid are reduced. In situations like this they may qualify for partial unemployment benefits.
You will have to check your state unemployment website for details on qualifying for partial unemployment as rules vary. How much you get in terms of unemployment benefits will depend on your earnings for the relevant week you certify.
For example in New York uses a partial unemployment system based on hours worked. Generally you can work up to 7 days per week without losing full unemployment benefits for that week, if you work 30 hours or fewer and earn $504 or less in gross pay excluding earnings from self-employment.
With this change, your benefits will not be reduced for each day you engage in part-time work. Instead, benefits will be reduced in increments based on your total hours of work for the week.
States like PA and CA, offer Partial Unemployment Benefit Credits to offset the impacts of reduced benefits from part time work, but in many higher income states this won’t make much of an impact.
Claiming Benefits Across Multiple States
If you worked and earned wages in multiple states you may be able to claim benefits from all these states relative to the income you earned.
Generally you should first exhaust benefits from the state where you had the highest income and/or lived for the longest duration in the base year of figuring your claim. After which you can submit claims from the other states up to the maximum weekly benefit.
Any New Federal Unemployment Benefits in 2026?
There are no new federal unemployment benefits programs expected in the coming years. It is highly unlikely that the Trump administration will pass any new legislation related to unemployment benefits given their agenda of cutting federally funded programs and lowering government benefits in general.
Unemployment for Furloughed or Separated Federal Employees
If you filed for unemployment during a government furlough and are now receiving back pay, you have a specific problem to solve. You cannot keep both payments.
State unemployment offices consider this “double dipping.” You will receive an overpayment notice demanding the money back. So make sure you set aside the exact amount of unemployment benefits you received (if claimed) and pay it back immediately upon notification to avoid penalties or tax garnishments.
If You Are Permanently Separated
For those facing valid RIFs moving forward, you are eligible for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). This is not a loan; it is an earned benefit.
To apply, you typically need your SF-8 (Notice to Federal Employee About Unemployment Insurance) and your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
File your claim in the state where your official duty station is located, not necessarily where you live.
Retroactive Pandemic Benefit Payments (now Expired)
You will be able to claim retroactive payments for missed payment weeks during eligible periods of coverage. This was also the case for (now expired) pandemic benefits under the PUA, PEUC, $300 FPUC and $100 MEUC programs.
Each state has different processes for claiming retroactive benefits and you will need to provide evidence for eligibility and re-certify for missed weeks. Just be prepared to wait a few weeks for payments given the manual nature in many states for verifying back payments and completing relevant identify checks.
Unemployment Overpayment Waivers
For a variety of reasons, either due to the claimant filing or state unemployment agency’s processing issues, unemployment benefits can be overpaid.
In this situation claimants may get a letter weeks or months after receiving benefits notifying them that they need to repay overpaid unemployment benefits.
This caused many state agencies to make incorrect payments and then spend months and years afterwards chasing up these payments or issuing waivers to those who would suffer financial hardship from making repayments for overpaid claims (excluding fraudulent claims).
The good news is that in most cases, assuming you were deemed eligible for the unemployment benefit, and you didn’t provide false or incorrect information, state agencies will allow you to apply for a waiver to avoid repaying past unemployment benefit overpayments. You will need to provide certain documentation and evidence of hardship if you were forced to repay funds.
Q: Which state has the highest maximum unemployment benefit?
A: As of 2026, Washington offers the highest maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA) for individuals without dependents at $1,152. When including dependency allowances, Massachusetts offers the highest total potential benefit, reaching up to $1,105 per week.
Q: Which state has the lowest maximum unemployment benefit?
A: Mississippi currently has the lowest maximum weekly unemployment benefit in the United States, capped at $235. Other states with notably low maximums include Alabama and Florida, both capped at $275 per week.
Q: How long can I receive unemployment benefits in my state?
A: The standard duration for unemployment insurance (UI) is 26 weeks in the majority of states. However, this varies significantly:
Shortest Duration: Arkansas and North Carolina offer only 12 weeks.
Longest Duration: Massachusetts provides up to 30 weeks of benefits.
Variable Duration: States like Florida and Georgia adjust their benefit weeks based on the current state unemployment rate.
Q: How is my Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) calculated?
A: Most states calculate your weekly benefit based on your earnings during a “Base Period” (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). A common formula is taking a percentage (roughly 50%) of your average weekly wage, up to the state’s maximum cap.
Q: Do any states require employees to pay for unemployment insurance?
A: Yes. While unemployment insurance is primarily funded by employer taxes (FUTA and SUTA), three states—Alaska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—require employees to make small contributions through payroll deductions.
Q: Are unemployment benefits taxable?
A: Yes, unemployment compensation is considered taxable income at the federal level. You must report it on your federal tax return (Form 1040). Some states also tax these benefits, while others, like California and New Jersey, do not tax state unemployment insurance.