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 900 dollars depending on the eligibility. But only a handful of states such as Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey provide 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.
UPDATE: On November 6th, 2009 President Obama signed the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, which would extend unemployment benefits by additional 14 weeks. States with jobless rates of 8.5% or higher will get an additional 6 weeks for a total of 20 weeks. The charts and tables below do not reflect the additional 14 weeks.
State Unemployment Benefits Comparison
The following comparison data provides an overview of benefits and shows which states pay well.
Unemployment Benefits Comparison by State
States that pay highest unemployment insurance compensation
- Massachusetts ($628-942, 72 weeks)
- Rhode Island ($528-660, 79 weeks)
- Pennsylvania ($558-566, 72 weeks)
- Connecticut ($519-594, 72 weeks)
- New Jersey (584, 79 weeks)
Massachusetts seems to be providing highest amount, but please note that the amount ranges from $628 to $942, so depending on your eligibility, you may get anywhere from $628 to $942. In terms of the duration, most of the top 5 states provide similar coverage although New Jersey and Rhode Island pay unemployment benefits 7 weeks longer than the rest.
States that pay lowest unemployment insurance compensation
- Mississippi ($230, 59 weeks)
- Arizona ($240, 72 weeks)
- Alabama ($255, 59 weeks)
- Tennessee ($275, 59 weeks)
- Florida ($275, 79 weeks)
Mississippi pays the lowest amount in country, followed by Arizona, which at least pays longer – 72 weeks when compared to Mississippi’s 59 weeks. Even though Florida is also one of the lowest paying states, it does pay the benefits for 79 weeks, the longest in the country.
States that provide unemployment compensation for longer duration
- Rhode Island (79 weeks, $528-660)
- Ohio (79 weeks, $370-503)
- Alaska (79 weeks, $370-442 )
- Minnesota (79 weeks, $351-566 )
- New Jersey (79 weeks, %584)
What is interesting here is that the states that pay longer period of time, are also paying more in the dollar amount also. Rhode Island and New Jersey top in both the maximum amount and longest duration lists.
States that provide unemployment compensation for shorter duration
- Oklahoma (46 weeks, $409)
- North Dakota (46 weeks, $406)
- Nebraska (46 weeks, $308)
- South Dakota (46 weeks, $298)
- Louisiana (46 weeks, $284)
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. The table provides the maximum dollar amount per week provided by each state and also the maximum number of weeks benefits are provided.
| State | Max weekly payment | Max # of weeks |
| Alabama | $255 | 59 |
| Alaska | $370-442 | 79 |
| Arizona | $240 | 72 |
| Arkansas | $431 | 72 |
| California | $450 | 79 |
| Colorado | $431-475 | 72 |
| Connecticut | $519-594 | 72 |
| Delaware | $330 | 59 |
| Florida | $275 | 79 |
| Georgia | $330 | 79 |
| Hawaii | $545 | 59 |
| Idaho | $363 | 72 |
| Illinois | $385-534 | 72 |
| Indiana | $390 | 79 |
| Iowa | $361-443 | 46 |
| Kansas | $423 | 59 |
| Kentucky | $415 | 79 |
| Louisiana | $284 | 46 |
| Maine | $344-516 | 72 |
| Maryland | $380 | 59 |
| Massachusetts | $628-942 | 72 |
| Michigan | $362 | 79 |
| Minnesota | $351-566 | 79 |
| Mississippi | $230 | 59 |
| Missouri | $320 | 79 |
| Montana | $407 | 72 |
| Nebraska | $308 | 46 |
| Nevada | $393 | 79 |
| New Hampshire | $427 | 59 |
| New Jersey | $584 | 79 |
| New Mexico | $359-459 | 46 |
| New York | $405 | 72 |
| North Carolina | $494 | 79 |
| North Dakota | $406 | 46 |
| Ohio | $370-503 | 79 |
| Oklahoma | $409 | 46 |
| Oregon | $482 | 79 |
| Pennsylvania | $558-566 | 72 |
| Rhode Island | $528-660 | 79 |
| South Carolina | $326 | 72 |
| South Dakota | $298 | 46 |
| Tennessee | $275 | 59 |
| Texas | $392 | 59 |
| Utah | $444 | 46 |
| Vermont | $425 | 72 |
| Virginia | $378 | 72 |
| Washington | $541 | 79 |
| Washington, D.C. | $359 | 79 |
| West Virginia | $424 | 59 |
| Wisconsin | $363 | 79 |
| Wyoming | $415 | 46 |
| Average | $410 | 67.33 |
Note: this data was collected in June 2009. State unemployment agencies can change the benefits. Please refer to State agency website if you are looking for most up to date information. This data was provided as an analysis to compare the benefits. Source for the data was a report from Wall Street Journal publications.
For further reading on unemployment insurance, please refer to the following articles.
How to file for unemployment
Applying for unemployment benefits
How to file unemployment in Ohio
How to file unemployment in PA
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My hunny is currently active duty military and will be retiring in September. I am being told that the Air Force will be paying his unemployment. Does he have a choice in what state he choses to file in . We are currently in VA but NY is his home of record ( where he would have paid state taxes while in military was it applicable)…
I am in the Army and am currently in Iraq. It has been brought to my attention, that since we are payed by the federal gov we can claim anywhere. The reason for this is because we didn’t work in any particular state according to the gov.
I do not believe this is true. When I got out (long time ago so may not apply). The home of record State was used. Now days though, who knows? By the way, I was also denied unemployment back then because I could have re-enlisted so was considered quitting, which does not get you a thing. I hope that has changed but probably has not.
If I have used all weeks of unemployment benefits in January and been actively looking since and still no Job. Can I re apply for benefits?
D’OH !!!!
This is very old info. On unemployment for first time ever, I can tell you:
ILLINOIS: $388 max.
Please move them WAY DOWN… no where near what you made or is liveable if you have a mortgage and now paying COBRA.
I have been collecting unemployment for a while in MA due to a layoff in MA.
After a while I began working 2 hrs. a day for 6 days /week in NH. MA sent me letters that I owe them back funds because I DID NOT file in NH. First off, I did not get laid off in NH ALSO, a MA unemployment rep informed me that OBAMA put into law, that if the amount of benefits is 25% lower or $100.00 or more less than the amount collected in previous state, you DO NOT have to accept this much lower amount and can continue collecting in higher amount state. I am currently trying to fight this and need to know WHERE I might find this law, ruling from OBAMA.
Can anyone help me? I am very desperate, MA wants me to pay over $4000. back when I was told I did not need to accept NH much lower benefits. Please, Please help.
Did you report the wages you received from NH when you filed your weekly claim? If not, that may be why you owe them. You have to draw out of the state you worked in so you couldn’t have drawn out of NH. Regardless of where you earn your wages when you’re drawing, you have to report them and they will deduct it from your weekly amount of unemployment.
I believe that the weeks payable on the graph above is incorrect. The person that wrote this article needs to do ALOT more research. No state pays 79 wks of unemployment!! In most states 26 weeks is the most. You can’t have but 1 claim a year therefore there’s no way you could draw for 79 weeks a year. (52 weeks in a year) WHERE did this bogus info come from?????
I also have used up all my benefits(72 weeks) for NY. What do I do now? What can I apply for to pay the bills?(Rent, phone, food)
Looks like you will have to apply for a job. . .
I have used all my Unemployment Benefits, been out of work for 2 years now…..Good old USA………
Good old USA guarantees you the pursuit of happiness, with “Pursuit” being the key word. Are you telling me you pursued finding a job to the best of your ability for two years? What were you….. A BETA Video Player repairman?
I was collecting unemploment in a state that I decided to draw from them and no combined states, just them, but I worked and collected and did not report, now the state I was drawing from has informed me that I need to persue the other state for additional benefits since I have run out in that state, now if I file with new state will the first state find out about the unreported wages, what’s your take on this, any input would be much appreciated.
I have to use my sisters computer since layed off. I’m drawing employment in the state of Mississippi. I just stated on an extension how long is the extension and where do I go to find out for sure. I need an answer A.S.P. Looking for work here ( what a joke for 1job there thousands that apply ) come on america get with the program and help people that live in the states to make a living. Quit sending all the money over seas
Let me explain….
I worked for a company in the morning and then travel and worked for another company. They are separate businesses but ran by the same person… so when they laid me off, I was laid off by both. How do I file. Only one or both? Please help?
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