Leave blank to use weekly × 13
Input your typical gross weekly pay before the layoff.
If you know your highest base-period quarter wages, enter them for precision.
Choose your state to apply the correct cap and duration.
Enter dependents for states that pay an allowance.
See your weekly benefit, max weeks, and total potential payout.
States base UI on the 'base period' — typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Within that base period, your highest quarter sets the weekly benefit. Most states use a 50% replacement rate, capped at a state-specific maximum that varies enormously: California's max is $450/week while Massachusetts pays up to $1,033/week. High earners often hit the cap and get less than 50% replacement.
Weekly Benefit = min(Highest Qtr / 26 × 50%, State Cap) + Dependent Allowance
Most states base UI on your highest quarter in the 'base period' (first 4 of last 5 completed quarters)
California has the lowest cap among large states ($450/week) — high earners get poor replacement
Massachusetts has the highest cap ($1,033/week) and offers up to 30 weeks
Florida pays up to only $275/week for 12 weeks — among the worst in the US
You must actively look for work and report it weekly to keep receiving benefits
Severance pay can delay or reduce UI benefits in some states
1099 contractors are usually NOT eligible for state UI (federal pandemic programs were the exception)
Unemployment insurance (UI) is a joint federal-state program that provides temporary income replacement to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Benefit amounts vary significantly by state: weekly maximums range from $235 in Mississippi to $1,015 in Massachusetts (2025 figures), with most states replacing approximately 40-50% of prior weekly wages up to the state cap. Eligibility typically requires earning a minimum amount during a "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), being able and available to work, and actively seeking new employment. Standard benefit duration is 26 weeks in most states, though some states offer fewer (Florida and North Carolina provide only 12-16 weeks). During economic downturns, federal extended benefits programs have historically added 13-20 additional weeks. Benefits are funded through employer payroll taxes — the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) rate is 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, with a 5.4% credit for timely state tax payments. Understanding your state's specific formula — whether it uses the highest quarter method, base period average, or a percentage table — is essential for estimating your potential weekly benefit and planning finances during a job transition.
US unemployment insurance is administered by each state, and the variation in generosity is enormous. Massachusetts pays a $1,033 maximum weekly benefit for 30 weeks — a total potential payout over $30,000. Florida pays $275 for 12 weeks — a total of $3,300. The differences reflect each state's funding model and political choices, not the cost of living or wage levels. If you're a high earner planning across states, this can be a real financial planning factor.
UI is designed to provide partial wage replacement, not full income. The 50% replacement rate combined with state caps means most workers experience a steep income drop. Lower-wage workers often get the highest replacement (50%+ if under the cap), while higher-wage workers can drop to 20-30% replacement quickly. This is intentional — it preserves incentives to find new work — but it means an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses is essential alongside UI.
Data sourced from trusted institutions
All formulas verified against official standards.