Collecting Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are available to employees in every state who are out of work through no fault of their own.  In most states, workers are eligible for unemployment benefits if their earnings meet certain minimum thresholds in terms of hours or wages; and if they were laid off, quit for good cause, or were fired for anything other than misconduct. States typically require that applicants be actively searching to find a suitable job. Each state has its own rules for determining eligibility, calculating the amount and duration of benefits, and appealing denials of benefits.

Unemployment benefits are typically paid on a weekly basis, at a certain percentage of your past earnings, for a set period of time (usually up to 26 weeks).

This page will help you determine whether you are eligible for benefits, how to file a claim for unemployment, how to calculate your weekly benefit amount, and how to challenge a denial of benefits. You'll also find information about the federal and state unemployment laws that have changed in response to the coronavirus crisis, and links to your state’s unemployment agency.

Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Your State

Appealing an Unemployment Denial