Partial unemployment calculator
See how part-time earnings reduce your weekly unemployment check under your state's rules.
- ๐บ๐ธ US federal & state rules
- DOL state law summary, July 2026
- See sources
Weekly benefit with $150 of earnings
$350.00
$400.00 full benefit minus $50.00
- Benefit plus earnings
- $500.00
- Earnings ignored
- $100.00
- Without working
- $400.00
This is an example. Enter your numbers above and press the button to see your own result.
Other weekly earnings in Texas
| $50 | $400.00 benefit, $450.00 total |
|---|---|
| $100 | $400.00 benefit, $500.00 total |
| $200 | $300.00 benefit, $500.00 total |
| $300 | $200.00 benefit, $500.00 total |
| $400 | $100.00 benefit, $500.00 total |
- Working part time usually leaves you with more total money than the benefit alone, and in most states it also stretches your claim since unused benefit stays in your account.
- You must report all earnings for the week you work them, not when you are paid. Most states require you to still be looking for full-time work.
- Based on the U.S. Department of Labor summary of Texas law.
Show the math
| Full weekly benefit | $400.00 |
|---|---|
| Weekly earnings | $150.00 |
| Disregard | $100.00 |
| Counted earnings | $50.00 |
| Partial benefit | $350.00 |
What to do next
How it works
Enter your weekly benefit amount from your claim and what you earned in a week. The calculator applies your state's disregard, subtracts the rest of your earnings from the benefit, and shows the reduced check and your total income for the week.
Things to keep in mind
The rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor's summary of state laws, July 2026. A few states, including New York, base the reduction on hours worked rather than dollars, and the calculator says so instead of guessing.
Earnings count when worked, not when paid. Most states also require you to keep looking for full-time work while collecting a partial benefit.
Sources
Rules applied as of 2026-07-01. See the sources below for details.
- Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, Effective July 2026Checked 2026-10-19
Frequently asked questions
Can I collect unemployment while working part time?
In every state, yes, as long as your earnings stay below a limit. The state ignores a portion of what you earn, called the disregard, and reduces your benefit by the rest. Once earnings reach your benefit plus the disregard, the check for that week is zero.
What is an earnings disregard?
The amount you can earn in a week without losing any benefit. Some states use a flat dollar amount, others a fraction of your weekly benefit or of your earnings. A few reduce the benefit by 50 cents per dollar earned instead.
Does working part time extend my claim?
Usually. Most states give you a total dollar amount for the benefit year. Weeks where you get a reduced check use less of it, so the claim lasts longer, up to the benefit year's end date.
Do I have to report tips and cash?
Yes. All gross earnings for the week, including tips, self-employment and cash, must be reported in the week you work them. Not reporting is treated as fraud.