Unemployment Calculator

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a joint federal-state program that provides temporary financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Funded by employer payroll taxes, UI helps bridge the gap between jobs while you search for new employment.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversees the federal-state unemployment system, but each state administers its own program with varying benefit amounts, duration, and eligibility requirements. According to DOL data, approximately 1.5 million Americans receive unemployment benefits at any given time, with an average weekly benefit of $378.

Benefits typically replace about 45-50% of your prior wages, up to a state maximum. The wide variation in state maximums—from $275/week in Florida to over $1,000/week in Massachusetts—means your location significantly impacts your benefit amount. Most states provide up to 26 weeks of regular benefits, though some offer as few as 12 weeks.