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 and your average maximum weekly wage will impact the unemployment benefits you are eligible to receive.
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State unemployment benefit information is constantly changing so if you notice any discrepancies or outdated amounts please leave a comment and I will update the table as appropriate.
2022-2023 Maximum Unemployment Benefits By State
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Maximum Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts (WBA) by State
*Maximum weeks of coverage are subject to prevailing state unemployment rates, so can fluctuate widely. I have listed the absolute maximum number of weeks and recommend you check the state UI site link in the table to get the current maximum weeks when you apply for benefits.
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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.
How Much Unemployment Will I Get if i Make $400 (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.
Retroactive Payments
You will be able to claim retroactive payments for missed payment weeks during eligible periods of coverage. This was also the case for federal 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 was especially the case during the pandemic years (2020-22) when several unemployment programs (PUA, PEUC, FPUC) were rapidly rolled out with unclear and confusing guidelines.
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.
Illinois is now $578
Thanks AC. Updated table.
I think you might’ve accidentally deleted the State unemployment information section for IL
Why is West Virginia not paying after I certify every week these will be the third week it only showing my balance, they aren’t paying me..
How can the State of New Jersey umployment not be paying those people who have claims submitted for almost a year ? People are struggling enough already with trying to keep up with their daily lives and are waiting for back pay owed them for over 6 to 9 months and calling in weekly only to be told there is still a delay in getting these payment owed to them!
How can more help be received and how long is this going to take to get this back up issued? What is the answer in order for this money to be paid to those who deserve this back up?
What can be done about this?
Kentucky is now $626.
Thanks for letting me know Steven. Confirmed the update from July and have updated a table with link to FAQ page on KCC site.
Minnesota lists its maximum as $857. https://www.uimn.org/applicants/howapply/info-handbook/after-you-apply.jsp#:~:text=How%20much%20will%20I%20receive,a%20state%20maximum%20of%20%24857.
Thanks Gregg. I have updated the table.
I got laid off from work ,just signed up for unemployment, cashing out my 401k of $8000 ,all of this money will be spent on debts I owe, how will this affect my unemployment benefits?
It won’t. your income over the last 4 to 5 quarters is what drives your weekly benefit. Submit an application to your state website and they will make a determination.
Why can’t I find 1 damn site to sign up for benefits in Massachusetts online? Why do I have to call a customer service center? They will probably make me send in all appropriate information anyways. Is there 1 website I can sign up for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts?
Hi, 2022 has not been kind to me.
Is there any state benefit going on now? i could really need some help right now.
Which states? Several states have additional stimulus and pandemic aid programs. See some recent articles I posted on this (search for state stimulus programs in the search bar above).
Hello Nevada has changed its maximum allowance.
Thanks. I have updated the Nevada maximum unemployment benefit amount to $469 per official government site. Thanks for letting me know.
Cool
I filed a claim in NY over a month ago on May 16, 2022. My claim is still pending. I call everyday at 8am all circuits are busy. I emailed 4x no response. I contacted a tax advocate and was told my claim was assigned on 5/23. However, I did not verify my identity which I didn’t know I had to. I verified my identity to change my direct deposit on 6/7. The tax advocate stated now that my identity was verified it was reassigned on 6/10.
What it’s 2022 years ago I waited only 2 weeks. Now according to the tax advocate it may take up to 10 weeks. So it’s ok not to pay bills or rent for 2 months. The state of NY should give workers what they are entitled to and stop playing tactics.
How much is the Beni fits for Idaho en july
I would like to know if Arizona will pay retroactive payments in July when the increase goes into effect
VTS MAX IS NOW 583.00 TYPICALLY CHANGES EACH JULY.
Right you are! Updated table.
Hi Andy,
As of Oct 3, 2021 the maximum benefit in Massachusetts is $974/week.
Thanks Simon. Right you are. I have updated the table.
It’s sickening with the cost of living in nyc we get a 504 max. BULLLL
Washington state max/week is 929.
Thanks Eliza. Confirmed and updated table.
Hi Andy. I trying to figure out how long a Floridian can collect if benefits began in May 2020. With all the government assistance it goes beyond Florida’s 12 months but just how far does it go?
I’ve lost my info to sign on to my gov to go app and I don’t have access to the email I signed up with it now either.. any advice to get a new password for it? Thanks
Call the help center