Unemployment Benefits Comparison by State
Updated : June 12th, 2019
Unemployment insurance programs are governed by State governments and are funded by state, federal and private companies that pay employment tax. Ultimately, the onus is on 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.
Some states like Illinois could pay as high as $1,495 depending on the eligibility criteria. But 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.
Before we get to the details, you can now check your eligibility and calculate benefits in your state.
Benefits Amount and Duration 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
State | Unemp Rate | Max Weeks of Benefits | Max.Weekly Benefits | Max. DA Allowance | Total Weekly Benefits |
Alaska | 7.1 | 26 | $370 | $72 | $442 |
| Alabama | 4.1 | 26 | $265 | – | $265 |
| Arkansas | 3.8 | 20 | $451 | – | $451 |
| Arizona | 4.7 | 26 | $240 | – | $240 |
| California | 4.2 | 26 | $450 | – | $450 |
| Colorado | 2.7 | 26 | $597 | – | $597 |
| Connecticut | 4.4 | 26 | $631 | $75 | $706 |
| Dist of Columbia | 5.6 | 26 | $425 | – | $425 |
| Delaware | 3.9 | 26 | $330 | – | $330 |
| Florida | 3.8 | 12 | $275 | – | $275 |
| Georgia | 4.1 | 14 | $330 | – | $330 |
| Hawaii | 2.1 | 26 | $630 | – | $630 |
| Iowa | 2.7 | 26 | $573 | $104 | $677 |
| Idaho | 2.9 | 21 | $405 | – | $405 |
| Illinois | 4.3 | 26 | $648 | $170 | $1495 |
| Indiana | 3.3 | 26 | $390 | – | $390 |
| Kansas | 3.4 | 16 | $474 | – | $474 |
| Kentucky | 4.2 | 26 | $502 | – | $502 |
| Louisiana | 4.7 | 26 | $247 | – | $247 |
| Massachusetts | 3.5 | 30 | $795 | $384 | $1179 |
| Maryland | 4.3 | 26 | $430 | – | $430 |
| Maine | 2.9 | 26 | $646 | $209 | $855 |
| Michigan | 4.5 | 20 | $362 | – | $362 |
| Minnesota | 3.1 | 26 | $717 | – | $717 |
| Missouri | 3.5 | 13 | $320 | – | $320 |
| Mississippi | 4.7 | 26 | $235 | – | $235 |
| Montana | 3.8 | 28 | $487 | – | $487 |
| North Carolina | 4.2 | 12 | $350 | – | $350 |
| North Dakota | 2.6 | 26 | $595 | – | $595 |
| Nebraska | 2.7 | 26 | $426 | – | $426 |
| New Hampshire | 2.7 | 26 | $427 | – | $427 |
| New Jersey | 4.9 | 26 | $696 | – | $696 |
| New Mexico | 4.9 | 26 | $442 | $50 | $492 |
| Nevada | 4.7 | 26 | $407 | – | $407 |
| New York | 4.5 | 26 | $435 | – | $435 |
| Ohio | 4.5 | 26 | $598 | $155 | $753 |
| Oklahoma | 3.9 | 26 | $520 | – | $520 |
| Oregon | 4 | 26 | $538 | – | $538 |
| Pennsylvania | 4.3 | 26 | $561 | $8 | $569 |
| Rhode Island | 4.3 | 26 | $566 | $141 | $707 |
| South Carolina | 3.8 | 20 | $326 | – | $326 |
| South Dakota | 3.2 | 26 | $352 | – | $352 |
| Tennessee | 3.5 | 26 | $275 | – | $275 |
| Texas | 4 | 26 | $507 | – | $507 |
| Utah | 3 | 26 | $543 | – | $543 |
| Virginia | 3.2 | 26 | $387 | – | $387 |
| Vermont | 2.8 | 26 | $466 | – | $466 |
| Washington | 4.7 | 26 | $749 | – | $749 |
| Wisconsin | 2.9 | 26 | $363 | – | $363 |
| West Virginia | 5.3 | 26 | $424 | – | $424 |
| Wyoming | 3.7 | 26 | $489 | – | $489 |
Benefits Comparison Chart
The following comparison data provides an overview of benefits and shows which states pay well:
States that pay highest unemployment insurance compensation
- Illinois – $1,495
- Massachusetts – $1,179
- Maine – $855
- Ohio – $753
- Connecticut – $706
Massachusetts provides the highest amount, but please note that the amount ranges from $769 to $1,537 depending on your eligibility. In terms of the duration, most of the top 5 states provide similar coverage.
States that pay lowest unemployment insurance compensation
- Mississippi – $235
- Arizona – $240
- Louisiana – $247
- Alabama – $265
- Florida – $275
Mississippi pays the lowest amount in the country, followed by Arizona.
States that provide unemployment compensation for a longer duration
- Massachusetts – 30 Weeks
- Montana – 28 Weeks
States that provide unemployment compensation for a shorter duration
- Florida – 12 Weeks
- North Carolina – 12 Weeks
- Missouri – 13 Weeks
- Georgia – 14 Weeks
- Kansas – 16 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.
State Performance Excellence Awards
Dept. of Labor awards the states based on their performance every year. The awards are given based on management, planning, and oversight resulting into efficient service to workers and employers. This map shows six states that won the Performance Excellence Awards for 2018:
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 December 2017. For further reading on unemployment insurance, please refer to the following articles:
- Unemployment Benefits Calculator
- Eligibility Calculator
- Applying for Unemployment Benefits
- United States Department of Labor
- How to File Unemployment in Ohio
- How to File Unemployment in PA
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I work for a church pre school program and I have lost my job due to coronavirus. When I applied for unemployment in Texas it says that two does not except this employer as my last employer. I’ve been working there for 13 years. What do I do?
Mary,
Please wait. There might be changes to the system in the next few days.
Chad ….. how do I get thru when it wont accept my ID or my password. I change it 5 times and it still wont work. Calling is not working at any time when I spend and whole day calling back to back to get thru. why don’t they just help or force the employers ( company) to place they claims in for their workers like GM did……I NEED HELP…PLEASE.
Chad,
We understand this might be a difficult time for you. We’re anticipating a shortage of staff across unemployment offices due to the massive surge in UI applications considering the pandemic. We advise against calling or visiting the office, as you may not get a response instantly.
Your state may have activated “Extended Benefits (EB)” authorized by the federal government. We recommend you apply for UI benefits online. For more information, please visit your state’s official Unemployment website.
I’m trying to apply online in Texas but the website is down. When will it be up and working again?
Kathy,
It may have crashed/down due to a sudden surge in the number of applicants. Please keep trying.
i live in ga…all the day cares have shut down my wife and i have full time jobs,,,but i have to leave my company which i have been there for over two years,to take care of our child….can i still collect unemployment…this covid virus is why i have to leave my job…
Gary,
We understand this might be a difficult time for you. We’re anticipating a shortage of staff across unemployment offices due to the massive surge in UI applications considering the pandemic. We advise against calling or visiting the office, as you may not get a response instantly.
Your state may have activated “Extended Benefits (EB)” authorized by the federal government. We recommend you apply for UI benefits online. For more information, please visit your state’s official Unemployment website.
are you kidding me my son lost his job on 10/17/2020 hes mentally challenged and cant file on his own because he doesn’t know how so I started going to sites trying to file for him and the residence inn Marriott promised to help him and have done zip . ive tried 10 different sites and I keep getting dropped wen I complete forms and push submit. 12 days now n still cant file a claim.
Martin,
There’s only one website you should be trying from. Please let us know your state and we’ll share the website information.
I have submitted my forms EXACTLY as I was instructed too on line. Even though I have filled out the paperwork correctly I keep getting emails asking for me to fill out the form that I have done multiple times already. Remuneration – Claimant Questionnaire is the issue. I got online and requested a phone call. 3 days ago. I just need to know that you guys received everything and I don’t owe any more information.
Nobody answers the 617-626-6800 number. Just get directed to the internet. Well, you can’t speak with the internet. I am getting mixed messages and I fret that this will delay any benefits.
Could someone please give me a call.
James,
Please try finding answers online since there might be limited phone support due to the shortage of staffing. This is a private forum and we’ll not be able to arrange a callback.
I work for a church that has grown it’s congregation over almost 40 years and we now have 26 mostly full time employees, most being here many years. Will our employees be able to file and receive benefits since we are an EXEMPT from paying unemployment industry? State of Florida
Regina,
Please read more about the recent announcement. Your workers should be able to claim.
My unemployment benefits ran out 3/1/2020 am I able to file for extended benefits ? I live in California and am 62 years old.
Ariana,
We understand this might be a difficult time for you. We’re anticipating a shortage of staff across unemployment offices due to the massive surge in UI applications considering the pandemic. We advise against calling or visiting the office, as you may not get a response instantly.
Your state may have activated “Extended Benefits (EB)” authorized by the federal government. We recommend you apply for UI benefits online. For more information, please visit your state’s official Unemployment website.