Unemployment Insurance

What is Unemployment Insurance?

Unemployment Insurance is a program that pays cash benefits to workers who lose their jobs. The money helps you cover basic expenses while you look for work. It's run by your state, and only the state agency decides if you qualify.

Who qualifies

You can get Unemployment Insurance if:

• You are unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states, this means you separated from your last job because there was no work available.
• You earned enough wages or worked long enough during your state's "base period" (usually the four most recent calendar quarters before you file your claim).

Your state sets the exact earnings or hours required. Contact your state's unemployment insurance program to learn what you need to have earned.

You do not qualify if you were fired for misconduct, quit without good reason, or if the job ended because of something you did.

How much does it pay?

Benefit amounts vary by state. Each state sets its own maximum weekly payment and the total number of weeks you can receive benefits. Most states provide benefits for up to 26 weeks, but some offer more or less.

Your weekly payment is based on your past wages. To get an estimate of what you might receive, use our Unemployment Benefits Calculator. You'll need to know the wages you earned in each of the four most recent calendar quarters.

How to apply

Contact your state's unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after you become unemployed. It generally takes two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check.

Find your state:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Each state has its own online portal or application process. Your state's page will show you exactly how to apply—whether online, by phone, or by mail.

What to bring

You'll need to provide information about your employment. Have these ready:

• Your Social Security number
• Information about your employer(s) for the past 18 months (company name, address, phone number)
• The reason you are no longer working
• Your work history, including dates of employment
• Information about any income you've received since losing your job

Requirements may differ by state. Check your state's unemployment page for a complete list.

What happens after you apply

After you file your claim, the state unemployment office will contact you and your former employer to verify your information. Your employer may be asked if you were laid off or if you quit. The state will review all the details and decide if you qualify.

It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to receive your first payment. Some states are faster; some take longer.

If you are approved, the state will tell you:

• Your weekly benefit amount
• The total number of weeks you can receive benefits
• When your benefits will end
• How to file your weekly or biweekly claim for continued payments

If you are denied, the state will explain why. You have the right to appeal the decision if you disagree.

Renewing and continuing benefits

Once you're approved, you must file a weekly or biweekly claim to keep receiving benefits. The state will tell you when and how to file (usually online, by phone, or by mail).

When you file your continuing claim, you must report:

• Whether you worked during that week or period
• Any wages you earned
• Whether you refused any job offers
• Any reasons you couldn't work

If you don't file on time, your benefits may stop. Benefits will resume when you file your next claim, but you may lose payment for weeks you missed.

Your benefits end when you either find a job, reach the end of your benefit period, or exhaust all available benefits for that year.

Related programs

If you're looking for additional help, you may also qualify for:

• SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which helps pay for food
• Medicaid, which provides health coverage
• LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), which helps pay heating and cooling bills
• 2-1-1, a free helpline that connects you to local resources

Visit our programs page or screener tool to learn what you may qualify for.

How Unemployment Insurance works

Each state administers its own unemployment insurance program. All states follow the same guidelines set by federal law, but the details vary. Your weekly benefit amount, the total number of weeks you can receive benefits, and the earnings requirement all depend on your state.

The program is funded through payroll taxes paid by employers. It's designed to provide temporary support while you search for your next job. Applying is free.