Unemployment Benefits Estimator
A rough estimate of unemployment income after a layoff — every state and DC, from each state's published formula
Updated September 8, 2026
How much unemployment will I get after a layoff?
Most states replace roughly 40–60% of your prior weekly wages, up to a state maximum that runs from $235 a week to $1,208. Benefits usually last up to 26 weeks, and a waiting week is typical, so file as soon as you're laid off.
Severance can reduce or delay benefits in some statesand not in others — always disclose it when you file. The estimate below is a rough one: it applies your state's published formula, minimum and maximum to the wages you enter, and your state agency still sets the official amount, duration, and eligibility.
- Estimated time
- 1–2 minutes
- Cost / impact
- Free · verify final amount with your state
- What you need
- Your state and your gross wages by quarter (or your prior salary)
Unemployment Benefits Estimator
Rough estimate only. It applies the state's published formula, minimum and maximum to the wages you enter; the state agency's monetary determination sets your actual amount.
Choose a state to apply its published formula, minimum and maximum.
Only the states with a dependents allowance use this, and each defines a dependent narrowly (usually a child you mainly support, sometimes a non-working spouse) — not every household member.
Alabama (ADOL): $45 to $275 a week, for up to 14 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of the average of the two highest base-period quarters. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/3 of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Alaska (AK DOLWD): $56 to $370 a week, up to $442 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Table: roughly 0.9%-2.2% of total base-period wages (statutory schedule), plus $24 per dependent (up to 3). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $50 plus 25% of wages over $50 disregarded. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Arizona (AZ DES): $229 to $320 a week, for up to 24 weeks. Formula: 1/25 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $160.49 disregarded (2026), then $ for $.
Arkansas (ADWS): $81 to $451 a week, for up to 12 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of the average of the four base-period quarters (i.e., ~1/104 of BPW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 40% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
California (EDD): $40 to $450 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Statutory table: approximately 1/23 to 1/26 of high-quarter wages (sliding). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of $25 or 25% of wages disregarded, then $ for $.
Colorado (CDLE): $25 to $804 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Higher of (a) 60% of 1/26 of wages in the two highest consecutive quarters (capped at 50% of state AWW) or (b) 50% of 1/52 of BPW (capped at 55% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $ (Colorado 2024 law: 50% of WBA).
Connecticut (CT DOL): $44 to $721 a week, up to $796 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of the average of the two highest quarters, plus $15 per dependent (up to 5, capped at 75% of WBA). Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: 1/3 of gross wages disregarded, then $ for $ (2024 change; includes holiday pay).
Delaware (DE DOL): $20 to $450 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/46 of total wages in the two highest quarters. Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: Greater of $10 or 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
District of Columbia (DOES): $50 to $444 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/3 of wages plus $50 disregarded, then $ for $.
Florida (FloridaCommerce): $32 to $275 a week, for up to 12 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 8 x federal minimum wage ($58) disregarded, then $ for $.
Georgia (GDOL): $55 to $365 a week, for up to 14 weeks. Formula: Sum of the two highest base-period quarters divided by 42; the statutory alternate (highest quarter / 21) applies only when the regular monetary test fails. Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: $50 disregarded, then $ for $ (excludes jury pay).
Hawaii (DLIR): $5 to $868 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/21 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $150 disregarded, then $ for $.
Idaho (IDOL): $72 to $624 a week, for up to 21 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Illinois (IDES): $51 to $628 a week, up to $859 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 47% of the claimant's average weekly wage in the two highest quarters (= 0.47 x sum of 2 HQ / 26); plus 9% for a nonworking spouse or 17.3% for dependent child (of prior-2-HQ AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Indiana (IN DWD): $37 to $390 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 47% of average weekly wage in the base period (BPW/52 x 0.47). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Flat $100 disregarded, then $ for $.
Iowa (IWD): $96 to $644 a week, up to $790 with dependents, for up to 16 weeks. Formula: 1/23 of high-quarter wages (0 dependents); 1/22 (1), 1/21 (2), 1/20 (3), 1/19 (4+); caps = 53%-65% of state AWW. Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $ (excludes jury pay).
Kansas (KDOL): $165 to $663 a week, for up to 16 weeks. Formula: 4.25% of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Kentucky (KCC): $39 to $746 a week, for up to 16 weeks. Formula: 1.1923% of total base-period wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 20% of wages disregarded, then $ for $.
Louisiana (LWC): $35 to $282 a week, for up to 12 weeks. Formula: 1/25 of the average of the four base-period quarters, capped. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Lesser of 50% of WBA or $50 disregarded, then $ for $. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Maine (MDOL): $108 to $623 a week, up to $1,090 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/22 of the average of the two highest quarters, plus $25 per dependent (capped at 75% of WBA). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: First $123 disregarded, then $ for $ (as of June 1, 2025). Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Maryland (MD DOL): $50 to $430 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Statutory table ~1/24 of high-quarter wages, plus $8 per dependent (up to 5) not to exceed the max. Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: $50 disregarded, then $ for $.
Massachusetts (DUA): $60 to $1,105 a week, up to $1,657 with dependents, for up to 30 weeks. Formula: 50% of average weekly wage (2 highest quarters / 26, or HQ/13 if wages in 2 or fewer quarters), plus $25 per dependent child (dependency allowance capped at 50% of WBA). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/3 of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Michigan (UIA): $218 to $530 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 4.1% of high-quarter wages, plus $19.33 per dependent (up to 5); rising to $614 max and $26/dependent on Jan 1, 2027 (PA 2024). Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: WBA reduced 50 cents per $1 earned; wages plus benefits cannot exceed 1.5 x WBA.
Minnesota (DEED): $37 to $948 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Higher of 50% of average weekly wage in the base period (cap 66 2/3% of state AWW = $948) or 50% of average weekly wage in the high quarter (cap 43% of state AWW = $611). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: WBA reduced 50 cents for each $1 earned (excludes jury/National Guard/volunteer firefighter pay).
Mississippi (MDES): $30 to $235 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $40 disregarded, then $ for $.
Missouri (MO DES): $35 to $320 a week, for up to 20 weeks. Formula: 4% of the average of the two highest quarters. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of 20% of WBA or $20 disregarded, then $ for $ (disregard excludes termination/severance pay).
Montana (MT DLI): $238 to $805 a week, for up to 24 weeks. Formula: 1% of total base-period wages, or 1.9% of wages in the two highest quarters, whichever is greater. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Nebraska (NDOL): $70 to $582 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/2 of average weekly wage in the high quarter (= HQ/26). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Nevada (DETR): $16 to $631 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/25 of high-quarter wages (cap 50% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/3 of wages disregarded, then $ for $. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
New Hampshire (NHES): $32 to $427 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Statutory table: about 1%-1.1% of annual (base-period) wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 30% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
New Jersey (NJDOL): $186 to $905 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 60% of the claimant's average weekly wage, plus dependency allowance (7% for first dependent, 4% each for next two; max 15%), capped at 57% of state AWW. Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: Greater of 20% of WBA or $5 disregarded, then $ for $.
New Mexico (NMDWS): $116 to $624 a week, up to $674 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 53.5% of the average weekly wage in the high quarter (0.535 x HQ/13), plus $25 per dependent child (up to 50% of WBA / max 2 per DOL range). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 20% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $ (excludes jury pay).
New York (NYSDOL): $140 to $869 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages (1/25 if high-quarter wages are $3,575 or less). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Hours-based: no reduction for up to 10 hours of work per week if earnings do not exceed the max WBA; benefits reduced in steps (75%/50%/25%) for 11-30 hours worked.
North Carolina (DES): $15 to $350 a week, for up to 12 weeks. Formula: Wages in the last two completed quarters of the base period divided by 52, capped at $350. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 20% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
North Dakota (JSND): $43 to $800 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/65 of the sum of the two highest quarters plus one-half of the third-highest quarter. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 60% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Ohio (ODJFS): $176 to $624 a week, up to $842 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 50% of average weekly wage, up to a maximum that depends on dependency class (A: 0 deps, B: 1-2, C: 3+). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 20% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Oklahoma (OESC): $16 to $649 a week, for up to 16 weeks. Formula: 1/23 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $100 disregarded, then $ for $.
Oregon (OED): $211 to $902 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1.25% of total base-period wages (min 15% / max 64% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of 1/3 of WBA or 10 x state minimum wage (~$163) disregarded, then $ for $.
Pennsylvania (PA L&I): $68 to $605 a week, up to $613 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Statutory rate table: approximately (4% of high-quarter wages + $2) x 0.98 (about 50% of full-time weekly wage), plus $5 for a dependent spouse or child and $3 for a second dependent (max $8). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of $21 or 30% of WBA disregarded (partial benefit credit), then $ for $.
Rhode Island (RI DLT): $82 to $777 a week, up to $971 with dependents, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 3.85% of the average of the two highest quarters (cap 57.5% of state AWW), plus greater of $15 or 5% of WBA per dependent (up to 5). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
South Carolina (SC DEW): $42 to $350 a week, for up to 20 weeks. Formula: 50% of the average weekly wage in the high quarter (= HQ/26), capped. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
South Dakota (SD DLR): $28 to $575 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/4 of wages over $25 disregarded, then $ for $.
Tennessee (TDLWD): $55 to $325 a week, for up to 12 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of the average of the two highest quarters (statutory table), max $325. Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of $50 or 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Texas (TWC): $75 to $605 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/25 of high-quarter wages (cap 47.6% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: Greater of $5 or 25% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Utah (UT DWS): $47 to $806 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 1/26 of high-quarter wages minus $5 (cap 62.5% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 30% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Vermont (VDOL): $94 to $757 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Wages in the two highest quarters divided by 45 (cap 57% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 50% of gross wages disregarded, then $ for $. Current indexed amount unconfirmed — verify before you rely on any figure.
Virginia (VEC): $160 to $478 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Statutory table: approximately 1/50 of wages in the two highest quarters (max $478 requires $18,900.01 in two quarters). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $100 disregarded (2025 law), then $ for $.
Washington (ESD): $383 to $1,208 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 3.85% of the average of the two highest quarters (min 20% / max 63% of state AWW). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: 1/4 of wages over $5 disregarded, then $ for $.
West Virginia (WorkForce WV): $24 to $662 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: Wage-class table: 55% of 1/52 of the median wages in the worker's wage class (max frozen at $662 by 2024 legislation). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: $60 disregarded, then $ for $.
Wisconsin (WI DWD): $54 to $370 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 4% of high-quarter wages (statutory max $370). Waiting week: yes. Part-time earnings: First $30 disregarded plus 33% of wages over $30; WBA reduced by 67% of earnings above $30.
Wyoming (WY DWS): $48 to $671 a week, for up to 26 weeks. Formula: 4% of high-quarter wages (cap 55% of state AWW). Waiting week: no. Part-time earnings: 50% of WBA disregarded, then $ for $.
Who Should Use This Estimator?
Use this to get a rough estimate of your unemployment benefits:
- •You've just been laid off and want to estimate unemployment income
- •You're calculating your financial runway and need benefit estimates
- •You want to understand how severance affects unemployment eligibility
- •You're planning your job search timeline based on expected benefits
How This Estimator Works
Input: State
Unemployment benefits are determined by each state and vary significantly. The estimator carries all 50 states and the District of Columbia, each with its own 2026 formula, weekly minimum, weekly maximum, duration rule and severance treatment.
Input: Wages by Quarter (or Prior Annual Salary)
Most states set your weekly amount from your highest-earning calendar quarter, and many also test that your total base-period wages are at least 1.5 times that quarter. Enter your gross wages for each of the four base-period quarters (they are on your pay stubs) and the estimator can run both. When you give only a salary, it assumes four even quarters (salary ÷ 4) and cannot check the ratio test — the result is labelled accordingly.
Input: Qualifying Weeks and Dependents
Ohio divides your base-period wages by your number of qualifying weeks and pays nothing under 20 of them, and New Jersey pays one week of benefits per base week, so those two states ask for the count and Ohio gives no figure without it. Dependents count only in the states that pay a dependents allowance, and each of those defines a dependent narrowly — usually a child you mainly support — so enter dependents who meet your state's definition, not everyone in the household.
Severance: Described, Not Calculated
Severance may delay or reduce unemployment in your state, or not touch it at all. The result panel quotes your state's rule and its source, but the estimator does not subtract a severance amount from the estimate: whether a payment is allocated to weeks, and to which weeks, is the state agency's decision and turns on how the employer characterises it.
Calculation
Weekly Benefit = your state's published formula applied to your base-period wages, capped at the state maximum
Monthly Benefit ≈ Weekly Benefit × 4.33 weeks
The engine applies each state's published rule: a fraction of the high quarter (Texas 1/25, New York 1/26), a percentage of the two best quarters (Illinois 47% of the average weekly wage, Washington 3.85% of the two-quarter average), a percentage of all base-period wages (Oregon 1.25%, Kentucky 1.1923%), the higher of two formulas (Colorado, Minnesota, Montana), or Georgia's regular formula with its statutory alternate used only when the regular monetary test fails. It is still an approximation: seven states publish a statutory table instead of a formula — Alaska, California, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia — and there the estimator uses the table's midpoint and says so; rules built on “consecutive” or “last two” quarters assume your best quarters are the ones the statute wants; and alternate base periods are not modelled. A result below the state minimum is reported as “not monetarily eligible on these wages” rather than rounded up to the minimum. Dependents allowances are added where the state sets a dollar figure. Every number comes from the same data file that powers the state unemployment benefits guides, with its effective date and source.
Example Scenario
Scenario: Marketing manager laid off in New York
Highest quarter (salary ÷ 4): $23,750
New York formula (1/26 of high-quarter wages (1/25 if high-quarter wages are $3,575 or less)): $23,750 ÷ 26 = $913
Capped at the New York maximum of $869 (range $140–$869, effective 2025-10-06)
Estimated monthly benefit: $869 × 4.33 = ~$3,763/month
Over the full 26 weeks: $22,594.
Severance in New York: No benefits for weeks in a dismissal period when weekly dismissal or severance pay exceeds the maximum weekly benefit rate plus the partial benefit credit, unless the first payment comes more than 30 days after separation (N.Y. Labor Law 591(6)). So a lump sum paid within 30 days of separation can push back when benefits start, and the estimate above does not net it out. Report it when you file and let NYSDOL decide. See the New York unemployment benefits guide for the full NYSDOL rules.
State Unemployment Resources
File your claim immediately after layoff. Each state operates independently — these are the official filing portals for all 50 states and DC, with each state's LayoffNext guide:
- AlabamaFile with ADOL
- AlaskaFile with AK DOLWD
- ArizonaFile with AZ DES
- ArkansasFile with ADWS
- CaliforniaFile with EDD
- ColoradoFile with CDLE
- ConnecticutFile with CT DOL
- DelawareFile with DE DOL
- District of ColumbiaFile with DOES
- FloridaFile with FloridaCommerce
- GeorgiaFile with GDOL
- HawaiiFile with DLIR
- IdahoFile with IDOL
- IllinoisFile with IDES
- IndianaFile with IN DWD
- IowaFile with IWD
- KansasFile with KDOL
- KentuckyFile with KCC
- LouisianaFile with LWC
- MaineFile with MDOL
- MarylandFile with MD DOL
- MassachusettsFile with DUA
- MichiganFile with UIA
- MinnesotaFile with DEED
- MississippiFile with MDES
- MissouriFile with MO DES
- MontanaFile with MT DLI
- NebraskaFile with NDOL
- NevadaFile with DETR
- New HampshireFile with NHES
- New JerseyFile with NJDOL
- New MexicoFile with NMDWS
- New YorkFile with NYSDOL
- North CarolinaFile with DES
- North DakotaFile with JSND
- OhioFile with ODJFS
- OklahomaFile with OESC
- OregonFile with OED
- PennsylvaniaFile with PA L&I
- Rhode IslandFile with RI DLT
- South CarolinaFile with SC DEW
- South DakotaFile with SD DLR
- TennesseeFile with TDLWD
- TexasFile with TWC
- UtahFile with UT DWS
- VermontFile with VDOL
- VirginiaFile with VEC
- WashingtonFile with ESD
- West VirginiaFile with WorkForce WV
- WisconsinFile with WI DWD
- WyomingFile with WY DWS
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits?+
How does severance affect unemployment?+
How long do unemployment benefits last?+
Is unemployment taxable income?+
What if my employer contests my claim?+
Can I work while receiving unemployment?+
Important Disclaimer
This estimator provides rough educational estimates only. Unemployment benefits vary significantly by state, individual circumstances, and time of filing. Always contact your state unemployment office directly to: (1) get accurate benefit amounts, (2) verify eligibility with severance, (3) understand your state's specific rules, and (4) file your official claim. LayoffNext does not provide employment or benefits advice.
Deepak Middha is the founder of LayoffNext and a Chartered Accountant (ICAI, India). A U.S. immigrant with nearly 20 years of experience — and 17 years in hedge fund and private equity administration, including as Vice President of Fund Accounting at NAV Fund Administration Group and Associate Director of Private Equity and Real Estate at SS&C Technologies — he builds free, plain-language layoff tools and guides for employees, H-1B workers, and immigrant families.