Minnesota Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $914/Week, Partial UI Rules, and What Else You Can Claim

Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program — managed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) through the UIMN system — pays some of the most generous benefits in the country. At $914 per week maximum in 2026, a Minnesota worker with strong prior earnings can receive more than $47,000 over a full 26-week benefit year. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, partial UI, taxes, and the other programs you can layer on top.

2026 Benefit Amounts and Duration

Minnesota’s maximum weekly benefit is $914 for 2026. That places the state among the top five nationally for UI payment levels. Benefits run for up to 26 weeks.

Your Weekly Benefit Amount is 50% of your average weekly wage during the base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), up to the state cap. The minimum WBA is $38. There’s no dependents allowance in Minnesota’s formula — everyone is calculated on the same 50% earnings replacement rate.

For 2026, DEED publishes an updated benefit table each January. Your exact amount is calculated when you file and confirmed in the monetary determination letter.

Who Qualifies

To collect Minnesota UI benefits, you must meet a two-pronged earnings test during your base period:

1. Earned at least $2,400 in wages in two or more quarters of the base period, or total base period wages of at least $12,000
2. Wages in your highest-earning quarter were at least $1,000

You also must have lost work through no fault of your own, be able and available to work, and conduct a reasonable search for work. Minnesota requires that you look for work each week as a condition of ongoing eligibility, though the state doesn’t mandate a fixed number of employer contacts — it uses a “good faith effort” standard.

Workers fired for employment misconduct or who quit without a good reason attributable to the employer are generally ineligible. Minnesota recognizes some quit situations as valid — serious illness (with a doctor’s note), domestic abuse, or a spouse’s required relocation.

Partial Unemployment for Part-Time Workers and Reduced Hours

Minnesota has a relatively generous partial UI formula compared to many states. The key is the $75 earnings disregard: you can earn up to $75 per week in wages without any reduction to your benefits. Once your wages exceed $75, Minnesota subtracts 50 cents for every dollar above $75 from your weekly payment.

This 50% reduction rate — rather than dollar-for-dollar — means you keep more of your earnings than in most states. For example, if your WBA is $600 and you earn $275 in part-time wages, you lose $100 in benefits (($275 − $75) × 0.50 = $100), leaving you with $500 for that week.

If you earn enough that the calculated benefit falls below $1, your payment for that week is $0 and it counts as a “used” week in your benefit year. Workers who have their hours reduced to 32 or fewer hours per week by their employer are typically eligible for partial benefits.

All wages must be reported when certifying weekly through UIMN. Minnesota cross-checks with quarterly wage records, so accurate reporting is critical.

Tax Implications of Minnesota Unemployment Benefits

Minnesota taxes unemployment benefits as ordinary income at the state level. Minnesota’s individual income tax rates are graduated, ranging from 5.35% to 9.85% depending on total income. For most UI recipients, the applicable rate will be in the 5.35%–6.8% range.

At the federal level, UI is taxable as ordinary income. You’ll receive Form 1099-G from DEED in January with your total benefits paid for the prior year.

Given Minnesota’s relatively high benefit amounts and tax rates, tax planning matters here more than in lower-paying states. You can elect federal (10% flat) and state income tax withholding directly from your weekly UI payments — set that preference when filing your claim or update it through your UIMN account at uimn.org. Otherwise, set aside roughly 20–25% of each payment to cover combined federal and state liability.

How to File

File your claim at uimn.org or call the DEED Applicant Line at 651-296-3644 (Twin Cities) or 877-898-9090 (Greater Minnesota). You’ll need your Social Security number, recent employment history for the prior 18 months, and bank account details for direct deposit.

After filing, DEED will mail a monetary determination within 2–3 weeks. Once your claim is approved, you must certify every two weeks (Minnesota uses bi-weekly certification, which is different from many states’ weekly certification cycles — but each two-week period covers two separate benefit weeks).

There is a one-week waiting period — the first week you’re eligible is unpaid. Minnesota requires you to register with Minnesota’s job-matching service as part of your claim.

If denied, you have 20 days from the determination date to appeal to the Unemployment Law Judge (ULJ).

Other Benefits Available to Unemployed Minnesota Workers

Medical Assistance (MA): Minnesota’s Medicaid program covers adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (about $20,120 for a single person in 2026). With only UI income, many households will qualify. Apply at MNbenefits.mn.gov.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Minnesota households meeting the income and asset tests can receive monthly food benefits. Apply at MNbenefits.mn.gov alongside Medical Assistance.

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP): MFIP provides monthly cash assistance for families with children who are working toward self-sufficiency. If you have minor children and income from UI doesn’t fully cover expenses, MFIP may provide a cash bridge. Contact your county human services office.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP): Minnesota’s EAP helps income-eligible households pay heating costs (and in some cases cooling costs). The program typically opens October 1 and runs through spring. Apply through your county’s Community Action Agency or at mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy/energy-assistance.

MinnesotaCare: If your household income is above the MA limit but below 200% FPL, MinnesotaCare provides affordable state-subsidized health coverage. Apply at MNSure.org alongside ACA marketplace plans.

Dislocated Worker Programs: If you were laid off in a mass layoff or plant closure, DEED’s Dislocated Worker Program may offer retraining grants, career counseling, and bridge services. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is available if your job was affected by foreign trade competition. Contact your local DEED Workforce Center at mn.gov/deed.

What to Watch in 2026

Minnesota’s UI trust fund had a solid balance heading into 2026. The state adjusts the maximum weekly benefit amount annually, typically increasing with average wage growth. DEED also administers the Self-Employment Assistance program for claimants who want to start businesses while collecting benefits — a rarely-used but available option.

For the most current benefit maximums, certification schedules, and program updates, go to uimn.org or contact DEED directly.