File Unemployment

Unemployment insurance programs are governed by State governments and are funded by state, federal and private companies that pay employment tax. Ultimately, it comes to the state government to balance the checkbook, so the state has to decide the benefits maximum amount, duration, and eligibility to receive the benefits. For this reason, you notice that unemployment benefits largely vary by state. FEMP09©

Some states like Massachusetts could pay as high as 939 dollars depending on the eligibility. Only a handful of states such as Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey provide such generous benefits. Majority of the states provide average benefits in the range of 300 to 500 dollars. So, depending on where you worked, your unemployment benefits are determined and if you live in those states that do not pay well, you may regret working there because, even if you move, the unemployment insurance will still be controlled by the state where you earned your wages. When you are filing for unemployment, you would have to apply in the state where you worked; regardless of state you are currently living.

State Unemployment Benefits Comparison

The following comparison data provides an overview of benefits and shows which states pay well.

State Unemployment Benefits Comparison (Click to enlarge)

States that pay highest unemployment insurance compensation

1. Massachusetts – $939
2. Rhode Island – $688
3. Connecticut – $630
4. New Jersey – $611
5. Pennsylvania – $581

Massachusetts seems to be providing highest amount, but please note that the amount ranges from $625 to $939, so depending on your eligibility, you may get anywhere from $625 to $939.  In terms of the duration, most of the top 5 states provide similar coverage.

States that pay lowest unemployment insurance compensation

1. Mississippi – $235
2. Arizona – $240
3. Louisiana – $247
4. Alabama – $265
5. Florida – $275

Mississippi  pays the lowest amount in country, followed by Arizona. Even though Florida is also one of the lowest paying states, it does pay the benefits for 99 weeks, the longest in the country.

States that provide unemployment compensation for longer duration

1. California – 99 weeks
2. District of Columbia – 99 weeks
3. Florida – 99 weeks
4. Illinois – 99 weeks
5. North Carolina – 99 weeks

States that provide unemployment compensation for shorter duration

1. Iowa – 60 weeks
2. North Dakota – 60 weeks
3. Nebraska – 60 weeks
4. New Hampshire – 60 weeks
5. South Dakota – 60 weeks

Not surprisingly, the states that provide unemployment insurance coverage for a shorter  duration also provide less money. These are the “stingy” states you don’t want to live if you fear unemployment. These states are more likely to be business friendly as businesses don’t have to pay as much employment taxes compared to other states.

Unemployment Benefits By State

This table provides a complete list of unemployment benefits and duration for all 50 states. It provides the maximum dollar amount per week and also the maximum number of weeks benefits provided by each state.

Comparison of State Unemployment Benefits

Source: Data was collected from various govt. websites. There may be some minor errors and you are advised to contact the State employment office for most accurate and up-to-date info. Information is current as of May 2012.

For further reading on unemployment insurance, please refer to the following articles.

1. How to file for unemployment
2. Applying for unemployment benefits
3. How to file unemployment in Ohio
4. How to file unemployment in PA

If you are unemployed and based in Georgia, you should check out the resource article published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution online edition. Here is a summary and refer to article source for all the details

How to apply for unemployment in Georgia:

Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers: Directory by City: Where Atlanta job seekers can apply for unemployment benefits

FAQ for Georgia unemployment benefits

Once registered for unemployment benefits in Georgia, you can claim benefits online

Three requirements for Georgia unemployment benefits (per Georgia Department of Labor):

* Filer must have earned enough money in base period (In Georgia, this is defined as the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed at the time you file your claim) to set up a claim.
* Your unemployment status must be through no fault of your own.
* You must be able to work, be seeking work and make yourself available for work on a weekly basis while collecting unemployment benefits.

What to bring when filing Georgia unemployment benefits:

* Social security card
* Separation notice from employer
* Names and addresses of your employers for the last 18 months, with the dates you worked at each place.
* Proof of immigration status if you are not a citizen of the United States.
* If you want to apply for direct deposit of your unemployment insurance benefits, bring a check with your account number and your bank’s routing number.
* For former Military/Government members only: If you separated from the military in the last 18 months, bring DD214 Member 4. If you worked for the federal government in the last 18 months, bring Standard Form 50 and Standard Form 8. If you do not have Standard Form 50, please bring a W-2 form or pay stubs and your wages will be estimated.

Here is the complete link to the article:

http://www.ajc.com/hotjobs/content/hotjobs/careercenter/articles/2009/02/15/georgia_unemployment_resources.html