Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your state unemployment benefits, compare payouts across 15 major states, and plan your budget on UI income. Covers CA, TX, NY, FL, IL, PA, OH, GA, NC, NJ, VA, MA, WA, CO, and MI with 2026 benefit estimates.
Try another scenario
How to Use This Calculator
Benefit Estimate tab
The default tab. Select your state and enter your wages — either as an annual salary or quarterly wages from your last 4 quarters. The calculator estimates your weekly benefit amount (WBA), benefit duration, total payout, and income replacement rate. Each state uses a different formula with different maximums.
State Comparison tab
Enter your annual salary to see how unemployment benefits compare across all 15 major states. The calculator ranks states by total payout, showing weekly benefit amounts, duration, and total benefits side by side. Useful if you're comparing job markets or considering relocation.
Budget on UI tab
Enter your weekly benefit amount and monthly expenses to see how your budget holds up on unemployment income. The calculator shows your monthly shortfall, how long your emergency fund lasts, and suggests expenses to cut. Use Tab 1 first to estimate your weekly benefit, then plug it in here.
Share your result
Every input is encoded in the URL. Click Share to send your exact scenario to a financial advisor, career counselor, or family member.
How Unemployment Benefits Are Calculated
Each state uses its own formula, but most follow this general pattern:
Base Period = Typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters
Total Benefits = WBA × Duration (weeks)
Monthly Income = WBA × 4.33
The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. States calculate your WBA using the highest quarter wages, average wages, or a combination. Each state caps the WBA at a state-specific maximum.
Important: Unemployment benefits are taxable as ordinary income at the federal level and in most states. You can elect 10% federal tax withholding on Form W-4V. Without withholding, you may owe a lump sum at tax time.
Example
Sarah — Software Developer, laid off in New Jersey
Sarah earned $95,000/year before being laid off. She lives in New Jersey, files Single, and has $12,000 in emergency savings. Her monthly expenses total $3,800.
Benefit Estimate
Budget Impact
Sarah's NJ benefit hits the state max at $830/week. Her emergency fund covers the $745/mo shortfall for over a year, giving her a strong runway to find a new position. If she were in Florida instead, her benefit would be only $275/week for 12 weeks — a total payout of $3,300 vs $21,580 in NJ.