State Unemployment Insurance

Every state operates a program of unemployment insurance, usually providing up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.  However, each state has its own qualifying rules, so that in some states, only 25 percent of unemployed workers collect benefits, while more than 50 percent of unemployed workers collect benefits in several other states.  Many of these state qualifying rules make it especially difficult for low-wage, women and part-time workers to collect unemployment.  In addition, the weekly amount of unemployment benefits varries significantly from state to state. 

Find out how to access unemployment benefits in your state.

Find out how much you qualify to receive in benefits in your state.

Read more about the basics of the unemployment insurance program.