Unemployment Benefits Calculator by State 2026
Estimate your weekly benefit amount (WBA) and total unemployment benefits. Select your state and enter your high-quarter wages or annual salary — results update instantly for all 50 states and DC.
Most states set your weekly benefit amount using wages from your base period—usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. A common formula divides your high-quarter wages (highest-earning quarter) by 26, then caps between the state minimum and maximum. Enter your information below for your personalized estimate.
Your State & Wages
Select your state and enter high-quarter wages or annual salary
Total wages in your highest-earning quarter of the base period.
Leave blank to use high-quarter wages above. Annual salary ÷ 4 = estimated high quarter.
Tax reminder: Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have federal (and sometimes state) tax withheld from your payments. Eligibility and base-period rules vary by state.
How unemployment benefit amounts are set
Each state sets its own minimum and maximum weekly benefit and the formula that uses your base-period wages. Many states use a divisor (often 26) applied to your high-quarter wages: your benefit is roughly high-quarter ÷ 26, then rounded down and capped between the state minimum and maximum.
Usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Your wages in this period determine eligibility.
The single highest-earning quarter of your base period. Many states use this as the key input for the WBA formula.
Every state has a minimum and maximum WBA. Your calculated amount is capped at the maximum regardless of earnings.
Unemployment benefits by state
Maximum weekly unemployment benefits and the number of weeks you can receive benefits differ significantly by state. Washington ($1,152) and Massachusetts ($1,105) have the highest maximums; Mississippi ($235), Alabama ($275), Louisiana ($275), and Florida ($275) have the lowest. Benefit duration is typically 26 weeks, but can be as low as 12 weeks (Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas) or as high as 30 weeks (Massachusetts).
| Washington | $1,152/wk | 26 wks |
| Massachusetts | $1,105/wk | 30 wks |
| Rhode Island | $931/wk | 26 wks |
| Minnesota | $914/wk | 26 wks |
| Mississippi | $235/wk | 26 wks |
| Florida | $275/wk | 12 wks |
| Louisiana | $275/wk | 26 wks |
| Alabama | $275/wk | 26 wks |
Eligibility and how to file
Eligibility for unemployment insurance depends on your state's rules — you must generally have lost your job through no fault of your own, meet minimum earnings or base-period requirements, and be able and available to work. File your claim with your state's unemployment agency (often online) as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
Laid off, company downsizing, or position eliminated. Not quitting voluntarily or being fired for cause.
Earned enough during the base period. Requirements vary but often require earning wages in at least 2 quarters.
Actively seeking employment and available to start work. Part-time work may be allowed while receiving benefits.
File with your state UI agency online, by phone, or in person as soon as you become unemployed. There may be a 1-week waiting period.
Unemployment calculator by state
Select your state for a dedicated calculator page with state-specific benefit ranges and duration:
UI wage replacement rate: how much of your salary does unemployment actually cover?
UI benefits replace approximately 40–50% of prior wages on average nationally — but the actual percentage depends on your income level and your state's maximum weekly benefit cap. Higher earners hit the ceiling quickly and see much lower replacement rates. (Source: EPI — UI Benefit Levels; PIIE.)
| Annual salary | Weekly pay | California ($450 max) | Washington ($1,152 max) | Florida ($275 max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $769 | 58% | 100% | 36% |
| $60,000 | $1,154 | 39% | 100% | 24% |
| $80,000 | $1,538 | 29% | 75% | 18% |
| $100,000 | $1,923 | 23% | 60% | 14% |
| $150,000 | $2,885 | 16% | 40% | 10% |
Why this matters for your financial plan
At $100K/year, California UI replaces less than a quarter of your income. The BLS reports the average (mean) unemployment duration was 24.4 weeks in April 2026 — meaning your savings must bridge the gap between UI and your actual expenses for roughly 6 months. Use our Emergency Fund Calculator to see how long your savings will last alongside UI benefits.
The UI tax trap: 10% withholding often isn't enough — 2026 federal bracket math
Unemployment benefits are fully taxable ordinary income at the federal level in 2026. The ARPA $10,200 exemption was a one-time 2020 provision and has expired. You can elect 10% federal withholding by submitting Form W-4V to your state unemployment agency — but for many workers, 10% isn't enough.
| UI scenario | Total UI income | 10% withheld | Tax owed (22%) | Shortfall at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300/wk × 20 wks | $6,000 | $600 | $1,320 | $720 |
| $500/wk × 26 wks | $13,000 | $1,300 | $2,860 | $1,560 |
| $800/wk × 26 wks | $20,800 | $2,080 | $4,576 | $2,496 |
States that exempt UI from income tax
California, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Virginia do not tax UI benefits at the state level. Most other states follow federal rules and tax UI as ordinary income.
ACA subsidy impact
UI income increases your MAGI and can reduce — or eliminate — ACA marketplace premium tax credits. If you lose employer health insurance with your job, factor the ACA subsidy impact into your tax planning. Source: IRS Publication 525; IRS Form W-4V.
Alternate Base Period (ABP): the overlooked tool if your wages changed recently
The standard base period covers the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters — which means your most recent 3–6 months of earnings are excluded due to the "lag quarter." The Alternate Base Period (ABP) uses your 4 most recently completed quarters, capturing those recent wages. (Source: DOL UI Law Comparisons 2023; NELP.)
Standard Base Period
Filing in May 2026 → covers Jan 2025 – Dec 2025
Your Jan–Apr 2026 wages (the most recent quarter) are excluded. If you got a raise in early 2026, it won't count.
Alternate Base Period
Filing in May 2026 → covers Apr 2025 – Mar 2026
Captures your most recent complete quarter. A January 2026 raise or job change at higher pay would be included.
Who benefits most — and what to do
- Recently promoted or got a raise: your higher recent wages may not appear in the standard base period but do in the ABP.
- Changed jobs at higher pay: if your new job paid more, ABP may increase your WBA significantly.
- Denied for insufficient wages: ask your state UI agency if an ABP recalculation applies to your claim.
- States with ABP: CO, MA, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, RI, SC, VT, WA, WI, and others. Your state agency applies it automatically in most cases — you do not need to request it separately.
Frequently asked questions
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. Each state uses its own formula, eligibility rules, and base-period definition. Your state unemployment agency will determine your actual weekly benefit amount and duration. Always verify with your state's official unemployment insurance program.
Related calculators
| State | Max/wk | Wks |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $1,152 | 26 |
| Massachusetts | $1,105 | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $931 | 26 |
| Minnesota | $914 | 26 |
| New Jersey | $905 | 26 |
| Oregon | $835 | 26 |
| California | $450 | 26 |
| Florida | $275 | 12 |
| Mississippi | $235 | 26 |
Approximate 2025–2026 data. Verify with your state agency.
Most states estimate your weekly benefit as:
Actual WBA capped at state maximum. Your state may use a different divisor.