Highest max weekly
$1,208
Washington
State tax comparison
🇺🇸2026 UI model
Unemployment Benefits by State
Compare maximum weekly benefits, duration, maximum totals, tax treatment, wage-replacement examples, and how to estimate and file for unemployment insurance across all 50 states and DC.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$1,208
Highest weekly (Washington)
$235
Lowest weekly (Mississippi)
51
States + DC covered
26
Typical max weeks
Lowest max weekly
$235
Mississippi
Longest duration
30 weeks
Massachusetts
What this unemployment benefits by state guide covers
Unemployment insurance (UI) is a joint federal-state program. Each state sets its own weekly benefit formula, minimum and maximum weekly amounts, and maximum weeks of regular benefits. This guide ranks all 50 states and Washington, DC on published maxima, explains how weekly benefit amounts are estimated, and shows whether each state taxes UI on top of federal income tax.
Max weekly benefit
The highest regular WBA the state publishes, including dependency-inclusive maxima where the published cap includes dependents.
Max weeks
The modeled maximum duration of regular UI. Some states shorten or lengthen weeks with the unemployment rate.
Max total
Max weekly × max weeks — an upper-bound comparison, not what every claimant receives.
State tax on UI
Whether the state taxes unemployment compensation, exempts it, partially taxes it, or has no wage income tax.
Head-to-head
Compare unemployment benefits between two states
Compare maximum weekly benefits, duration, maximum totals, and whether the state taxes UI.
Compare any two states
Max weekly benefit, duration, total benefits, and state tax treatment.
All 50 states + DC
Unemployment benefits by state
Rank #1 is the highest maximum weekly benefit. Maximum total multiplies max weekly × max weeks — an upper-bound benchmark, not what every claimant receives.
| Rank | State | Max weekly | Max weeks | Max total | State tax on UI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Washington | $1,208 | 26 | $31,408 | No state income tax |
| #2 |  Massachusetts | $1,105 | 30 | $33,150 | Taxed by state |
| #3 |  Rhode Island | $931 | 26 | $24,206 | Taxed by state |
| #4 |  Minnesota | $914 | 26 | $23,764 | Taxed by state |
| #5 |  New Jersey | $905 | 26 | $23,530 | Exempt from state tax |
| #6 |  Illinois | $859 | 26 | $22,334 | Taxed by state |
| #7 |  Colorado | $844 | 26 | $21,944 | Taxed by state |
| #8 |  Oregon | $835 | 26 | $21,710 | Exempt from state tax |
| #9 |  Connecticut | $826 | 26 | $21,476 | Taxed by state |
| #10 |  Ohio | $789 | 26 | $20,514 | Taxed by state |
| #11 |  Maine | $781 | 26 | $20,306 | Taxed by state |
| #12 |  Hawaii | $765 | 26 | $19,890 | Taxed by state |
| #13 |  Iowa | $731 | 26 | $19,006 | Taxed by state |
| #14 |  North Dakota | $673 | 26 | $17,498 | Taxed by state |
| #15 |  Oklahoma | $649 | 20 | $12,980 | Taxed by state |
| #16 |  Utah | $622 | 26 | $16,172 | Taxed by state |
| #16 |  Vermont | $622 | 26 | $16,172 | Taxed by state |
| #18 |  Pennsylvania | $605 | 26 | $15,730 | Exempt from state tax |
| #18 |  Texas | $605 | 26 | $15,730 | No state income tax |
| #20 |  Montana | $588 | 28 | $16,464 | Exempt from state tax |
| #21 |  Kentucky | $569 | 26 | $14,794 | Taxed by state |
| #22 |  Kansas | $560 | 16 | $8,960 | Taxed by state |
| #22 |  Wyoming | $560 | 26 | $14,560 | No state income tax |
| #24 |  Idaho | $531 | 20 | $10,620 | Taxed by state |
| #25 |  Michigan | $530 | 26 | $13,780 | Taxed by state |
| #26 |  Nebraska | $526 | 26 | $13,676 | Taxed by state |
| #27 |  New Mexico | $511 | 26 | $13,286 | Taxed by state |
| #28 |  New York | $504 | 26 | $13,104 | Taxed by state |
| #29 |  South Dakota | $487 | 26 | $12,662 | No state income tax |
| #30 |  Nevada | $469 | 26 | $12,194 | No state income tax |
| #31 |  Arkansas | $451 | 12 | $5,412 | Taxed by state |
| #32 |  California | $450 | 26 | $11,700 | Exempt from state tax |
| #33 | District of Columbia | $444 | 26 | $11,544 | Taxed by state |
| #34 |  Alaska | $442 | 26 | $11,492 | No state income tax |
| #35 |  Maryland | $430 | 26 | $11,180 | Taxed by state |
| #36 |  New Hampshire | $427 | 26 | $11,102 | No state income tax |
| #37 |  West Virginia | $424 | 26 | $11,024 | Taxed by state |
| #38 |  Delaware | $400 | 26 | $10,400 | Taxed by state |
| #39 |  Indiana | $390 | 26 | $10,140 | Partially taxed by state |
| #40 |  Virginia | $378 | 26 | $9,828 | Exempt from state tax |
| #41 |  Wisconsin | $370 | 26 | $9,620 | Partially taxed by state |
| #42 |  Georgia | $365 | 20 | $7,300 | Taxed by state |
| #43 |  North Carolina | $350 | 12 | $4,200 | Taxed by state |
| #44 |  South Carolina | $326 | 20 | $6,520 | Taxed by state |
| #45 |  Arizona | $320 | 24 | $7,680 | Taxed by state |
| #45 |  Missouri | $320 | 20 | $6,400 | Taxed by state |
| #47 |  Alabama | $275 | 26 | $7,150 | Taxed by state |
| #47 |  Florida | $275 | 12 | $3,300 | No state income tax |
| #47 |  Louisiana | $275 | 26 | $7,150 | Taxed by state |
| #47 |  Tennessee | $275 | 26 | $7,150 | No state income tax |
| #51 |  Mississippi | $235 | 26 | $6,110 | Taxed by state |
#1Washington$1,208
Washington$1,20826 wks · $31,408 maxNo state income tax
#2Massachusetts$1,105
Massachusetts$1,10530 wks · $33,150 maxTaxed by state
#3Rhode Island$931
Rhode Island$93126 wks · $24,206 maxTaxed by state
#4Minnesota$914
Minnesota$91426 wks · $23,764 maxTaxed by state
#5New Jersey$905
New Jersey$90526 wks · $23,530 maxExempt from state tax
#6Illinois$859
Illinois$85926 wks · $22,334 maxTaxed by state
#7Colorado$844
Colorado$84426 wks · $21,944 maxTaxed by state
#8Oregon$835
Oregon$83526 wks · $21,710 maxExempt from state tax
#9Connecticut$826
Connecticut$82626 wks · $21,476 maxTaxed by state
#10Ohio$789
Ohio$78926 wks · $20,514 maxTaxed by state
#11Maine$781
Maine$78126 wks · $20,306 maxTaxed by state
#12Hawaii$765
Hawaii$76526 wks · $19,890 maxTaxed by state
#13Iowa$731
Iowa$73126 wks · $19,006 maxTaxed by state
#14North Dakota$673
North Dakota$67326 wks · $17,498 maxTaxed by state
#15Oklahoma$649
Oklahoma$64920 wks · $12,980 maxTaxed by state
#16Utah$622
Utah$62226 wks · $16,172 maxTaxed by state
#16Vermont$622
Vermont$62226 wks · $16,172 maxTaxed by state
#18Pennsylvania$605
Pennsylvania$60526 wks · $15,730 maxExempt from state tax
#18Texas$605
Texas$60526 wks · $15,730 maxNo state income tax
#20Montana$588
Montana$58828 wks · $16,464 maxExempt from state tax
#21Kentucky$569
Kentucky$56926 wks · $14,794 maxTaxed by state
#22Kansas$560
Kansas$56016 wks · $8,960 maxTaxed by state
#22Wyoming$560
Wyoming$56026 wks · $14,560 maxNo state income tax
#24Idaho$531
Idaho$53120 wks · $10,620 maxTaxed by state
#25Michigan$530
Michigan$53026 wks · $13,780 maxTaxed by state
#26Nebraska$526
Nebraska$52626 wks · $13,676 maxTaxed by state
#27New Mexico$511
New Mexico$51126 wks · $13,286 maxTaxed by state
#28New York$504
New York$50426 wks · $13,104 maxTaxed by state
#29South Dakota$487
South Dakota$48726 wks · $12,662 maxNo state income tax
#30Nevada$469
Nevada$46926 wks · $12,194 maxNo state income tax
#31Arkansas$451
Arkansas$45112 wks · $5,412 maxTaxed by state
#32California$450
California$45026 wks · $11,700 maxExempt from state tax
#33District of Columbia$444
26 wks · $11,544 maxTaxed by state
#34Alaska$442
Alaska$44226 wks · $11,492 maxNo state income tax
#35Maryland$430
Maryland$43026 wks · $11,180 maxTaxed by state
#36New Hampshire$427
New Hampshire$42726 wks · $11,102 maxNo state income tax
#37West Virginia$424
West Virginia$42426 wks · $11,024 maxTaxed by state
#38Delaware$400
Delaware$40026 wks · $10,400 maxTaxed by state
#39Indiana$390
Indiana$39026 wks · $10,140 maxPartially taxed by state
#40Virginia$378
Virginia$37826 wks · $9,828 maxExempt from state tax
#41Wisconsin$370
Wisconsin$37026 wks · $9,620 maxPartially taxed by state
#42Georgia$365
Georgia$36520 wks · $7,300 maxTaxed by state
#43North Carolina$350
North Carolina$35012 wks · $4,200 maxTaxed by state
#44South Carolina$326
South Carolina$32620 wks · $6,520 maxTaxed by state
#45Arizona$320
Arizona$32024 wks · $7,680 maxTaxed by state
#45Missouri$320
Missouri$32020 wks · $6,400 maxTaxed by state
#47Alabama$275
Alabama$27526 wks · $7,150 maxTaxed by state
#47Florida$275
Florida$27512 wks · $3,300 maxNo state income tax
#47Louisiana$275
Louisiana$27526 wks · $7,150 maxTaxed by state
#47Tennessee$275
Tennessee$27526 wks · $7,150 maxNo state income tax
#51Mississippi$235
Mississippi$23526 wks · $6,110 maxTaxed by state
Highest and lowest maximum total benefits
10 highest max totals
10 lowest max totals
How long do unemployment benefits last by state?
Most states still model regular UI at 26 weeks, but duration is one of the largest differences in state UI policy. A high weekly maximum with a short duration can produce a lower maximum total than a mid-range weekly amount paid for longer.
Unemployment benefit examples at a $100,000 prior salary
These examples assume high-quarter wages of $25,000 (about $100,000 annualized ÷ 4), then apply the high-quarter ÷ 26 approximation clamped to each state's min/max. High earners often hit the weekly cap.
| State | Est. weekly | Max weeks | Est. total | At state max? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $961 | 26 | $24,986 | No |
| California | $450 | 26 | $11,700 | Yes |
| Texas | $605 | 26 | $15,730 | Yes |
| Florida | $275 | 12 | $3,300 | Yes |
| Mississippi | $235 | 26 | $6,110 | Yes |
Taxes on UI
Are unemployment benefits taxable?
Federal income tax applies to UI nationwide — unemployment compensation is ordinary taxable income reported on Form 1099-G. The temporary pandemic-era federal exclusion is gone. State treatment differs. You can often elect 10% federal withholding with Form W-4V; 10% may not cover your full federal bracket, so plan for filing season.
No state income tax
9
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, +3 more
State exempts UI
6
California, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Partially taxed
2
Indiana, Wisconsin
Fully taxed by state
34
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, +28 more
Calculation guide
How unemployment benefits are calculated
A state maximum alone cannot tell you what you will be paid. Weekly benefits start from your recent covered wages, then run through the state formula and eligibility rules.
- 1
Check base-period wages
States look at recent covered wages—usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
- 2
Estimate a weekly amount
Many states use a high-quarter formula. This site approximates WBA as high-quarter wages ÷ 26.
- 3
Apply state min and max
The weekly amount is clamped between the state minimum and maximum published benefit.
- 4
Apply maximum weeks
Regular UI usually lasts up to 12–30 weeks depending on the state; some durations vary with the unemployment rate.
- 5
Meet eligibility rules
Able, available, actively seeking work, and a qualifying job separation are typical non-monetary tests.
- 6
Plan for taxes
UI is taxable federally. State tax treatment varies; consider Form W-4V withholding and any state withholding option.
Before you file an unemployment claim
Filing quickly protects your first payable week. Gather documents before you start the state application.
File as soon as you are unemployed
Waiting rarely increases benefits and can delay the first check even when you later qualify.
List recent employers and dates
Have names, addresses, phone numbers, and last day worked for covered employers in the base period.
Know your reason for separation
Layoff, lack of work, discharge, and quit are treated differently. Be accurate—misstatements can create denials or overpayments.
Estimate high-quarter wages
Pay stubs, W-2s, and employer records help you understand whether you may hit the state maximum.
Decide on tax withholding
Form W-4V can request 10% federal withholding. Ask your agency about state withholding if your state taxes UI.
Plan weekly certifications
Most states require weekly or biweekly certifications that you are able, available, and seeking work.
Common eligibility checklist
States set the details. This checklist covers the most common federal-state UI requirements.
- Enough wages in the state's base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters)
- Job separation that qualifies under state law (typically layoff or other no-fault separation)
- Able and available to work
- Actively seeking work and meeting weekly certification requirements
- Not disqualified for reasons such as misconduct or refusing suitable work without good cause
Moving and unemployment benefits
UI claims are generally tied to where you earned wages, not only where you live after a layoff. Moving to a high-benefit state after becoming unemployed usually does not rewrite the paying state's weekly maximum. Interstate claims, combined-wage claims, and work-search rules can apply when you relocate while collecting benefits.
How to read unemployment benefit rankings
Max weekly
A published ceiling. Most claimants earn less unless base-period wages support the maximum.
Max weeks
Regular UI duration. Extensions during recessions are separate federal/state programs.
Max total
Weekly max × weeks — useful for comparing states, not a personal award guarantee.
Tax treatment
Federal tax always applies; state tax depends on residency and state law.
Estimate your weekly benefit
Enter your state and high-quarter wages in the unemployment benefits calculator.
Unemployment benefits by state FAQs
Washington has the highest maximum weekly benefit at $1,208. Massachusetts leads on maximum total benefits ($33,150) when weekly caps and duration are combined.
Mississippi has the lowest published maximum weekly benefit at $235.
Most states cap regular UI at 26 weeks. Massachusetts models up to 30 weeks. Several states are shorter (for example 12–20 weeks), and some durations vary with the unemployment rate.
Yes for federal income tax — UI is ordinary taxable income nationwide. State treatment varies: some states with no income tax do not tax UI, a few income-tax states exempt UI entirely, Indiana and Wisconsin partially tax it, and most other income-tax states tax UI fully.
No broad wage income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Income-tax states that exempt UI: California, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Confirm with current state instructions.
States use base-period wages—often a high-quarter formula. This site's estimator approximates WBA as high-quarter wages ÷ 26, then clamps to the state minimum and maximum. Exact formulas and dependency allowances vary by state.
Maximum total benefits multiply the state's maximum weekly benefit by its maximum weeks. It is an upper-bound comparison benchmark, not a guarantee that every claimant qualifies for the maximum for the full duration.
Yes. Form W-4V lets you request 10% federal withholding from UI. State withholding, if available, is separate and depends on your state agency.
Some states add dependency allowances that raise the weekly benefit. Where published, this comparison's max WBA includes the dependency-inclusive maximum.
Eligibility usually requires enough recent covered wages, a qualifying job separation, and that you are able, available, and actively seeking work. States apply their own monetary and non-monetary tests.
No. These pages are educational estimates for comparison. File a claim with your state unemployment agency for an official determination.
Use the unemployment benefits calculator with your state and high-quarter wages, or open a state profile for salary examples and max-benefit rankings.
The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. States use wages in that window to decide whether you qualify monetarily and how much you can be paid.
Several states shortened regular UI duration by statute. Florida, North Carolina, and Arkansas currently model 12-week maxima; others use 16–24 weeks. Some durations also change with the statewide unemployment rate.
Claims are generally filed with the state where you worked (or where wages were reported). Moving after a layoff does not automatically rewrite the weekly maximum of the paying state. Interstate claims and wage combining have separate rules.
UI often targets roughly 40–50% of prior wages nationally, but high earners hit state maxima quickly and receive a much lower replacement rate. Compare your estimated WBA with prior weekly pay to see the gap.
File as soon as you become unemployed. Waiting can delay the first payable week. Have recent employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation ready.
Estimates are educational. Actual weekly benefits and eligibility are determined by your state unemployment agency.