Unemployment benefits calculator
Estimate your weekly unemployment benefit, how many weeks it lasts and the total, with a page for every state.
- ๐บ๐ธ US federal & state rules
- DOL state law summary, July 2026
- See sources
Estimated Texas weekly benefit
$480.00
your highest quarter ร 1/25
- Maximum weeks
- 26
- Total over the claim
- $12,480
- Per month
- $2,078
This is an example. Enter your numbers above and press the button to see your own result.
Texas rules
| Minimum weekly benefit | $76 |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $619 |
| Weeks | 10 to 26 |
| Waiting week | yes, one unpaid week |
| Dependents allowance | no |
- Texas raised its maximum to $619 and its minimum to $76 for claims effective on or after October 4, 2026. Claims filed before then keep the $605 maximum.
- Duration in Texas ranges from 10 to 26 weeks depending on your base period wages. The total shown uses the maximum.
- Based on the U.S. Department of Labor summary of state laws, July 2026. Benefits are taxable income, and eligibility depends on why you left the job and whether you are looking for work.
Show the math
| Highest quarter | $12,000 |
|---|---|
| Second highest quarter | $11,000 |
| Base period total | $43,000 |
| Formula | your highest quarter ร 1/25 |
| Before limits | $480.00 |
| Weekly benefit | $480.00 |
What to do next
How it works
Enter the wages from your base period quarters and pick your state. The calculator applies the state's formula to find the weekly benefit, limits it to the state minimum and maximum, and multiplies by the maximum weeks to show the total. If you enter part-time earnings, it applies the state's earnings disregard to show the reduced check.
Every state has its own page with the formula, limits and waiting week rule. States that use a sliding schedule instead of a fixed fraction show a range.
Things to keep in mind
The figures come from the U.S. Department of Labor's summary of state laws, July 2026, and were checked against the January edition. Dependents allowances, alternate base periods and extended benefits are not calculated.
Eligibility is separate from the amount. You generally need to have lost the job through no fault of your own, be able and available to work, and actively look for work.
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
How is unemployment calculated?
Most states pay a fraction of your highest quarter of wages, often 1/26 or 1/25, which works out to about half your average weekly pay. Each state sets a minimum and maximum, and the maximum ranges from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand.
Which state pays the most unemployment?
Washington has the highest maximum weekly benefit at $1,208. Mississippi has the lowest at $235.
How many weeks can I collect?
26 weeks is the standard. A few states pay fewer, as little as 12, and some tie the number of weeks to the state's unemployment rate. Massachusetts goes up to 30.
Is unemployment taxable?
Yes, for federal income tax, and in most states for state tax. You can ask the agency to withhold 10% for federal tax. No Social Security or Medicare tax applies.
What is the base period?
The 12-month window used to measure your past wages, usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim. Many states use an alternate base period of the last four quarters if you do not qualify under the standard one.