News & Trending Jobs & Career News

The States Offering The Most and Fewest Weeks of Unemployment (Where Does Yours Stand?)

We rank the states with the fastest and slowest paths from pink slip to paycheck.

blank unemployment benefits application form
Updated May 28, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Getting unemployment benefits can be an important part of your process to look for another job. It gives you money to help pay your bills so you can focus on the next step in your career.

However, some states are better than others when providing unemployment benefits. So, how does your state stack up? 

Check out these states to see how long you can receive benefits.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Florida

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe beautiful tampa florida skyline at sunset

Florida is one of three states that offer the fewest benefits, with only 12 weeks of unemployment for workers.

On the positive, the state allows furloughed employees, self-employed workers, or independent contractors to file for unemployment, which can help supplement your income if you live there compared to other states.

Kentucky

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe louisville kentucky skyline on ohio river

Kentucky is also one of the three states with only 12 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The state is currently in the top 10 states with the highest unemployment rate, with a 4.1% rate.

North Carolina

Kevin Ruck/Adobe charlotte north carolina skyline during day

North Carolina also only offers 12 weeks of unemployment for residents.

However, the state adjusts the number of weeks based on the unemployment rate in North Carolina. The actual number of weeks can vary from 12 to 20 depending on the rate, which currently sits at 3.4% for the state.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Alabama

allard1/Adobe welcome to sweet home alabama sign

Alabama currently offers 14 weeks of unemployment benefits for residents.

You can increase the number of weeks you’re eligible if you participate in a state-approved training program. Check with Alabama when you apply for unemployment benefits to see if you can add another five weeks of potential benefits.

Arkansas

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe arkansas skyline at sunset

Arkansas provides 16 weeks of unemployment benefits for residents of the state.

But the state also has an unemployment rate of 2.9%, which puts it in the bottom half of states. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s also lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Iowa

pabrady63/Adobe des moines iowa city skyline

Iowa provides residents with 16 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The state offered residents 26 weeks of benefits until changes were made in the law in 2022. 

One of the reasons cited by the governor was a shortage of workers compared to open job positions in the state with the hope that fewer weeks would get workers back in the workforce.

Kansas

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe kansas city missouri skyline at sunset

Kansas residents can expect a maximum of 16 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The state currently has an unemployment rate of 2.8%, which puts it in the top 15 states with the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

Oklahoma

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe oklahoma city skyline under clear sky

Oklahoma also provides 16 weeks of maximum unemployment benefits for its residents.

And like Kansas, it has a low unemployment rate. The state currently sits at an unemployment rate of 3%.

Michigan

f11photo/Adobe downtown detroit

Michigan residents can expect a maximum number of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The state bumped the number of weeks up to 26 during the COVID-19 pandemic but dropped that number back down to 20 weeks in 2021.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Missouri

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe st louis missouri skyline at sunset

Missouri also offers its residents a maximum of 20 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The state currently faces an unemployment rate of 3%, which puts it below the national unemployment rate of 3.7%.

South Carolina

f11photo/Adobe beautiful streets of charleston south carolina

South Carolina also provides residents with 20 weeks maximum of unemployment benefits.

And like Missouri, it has a low unemployment rate of 2.9%, putting it in the bottom half of states regarding the highest unemployment rates.

Idaho

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe traffic on streets of idaho

Residents of Idaho can expect a maximum of 21 weeks of unemployment benefits.

It’s the last of the states on this list that provide less than the standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. 

Now, let’s look at which states offer the most weeks of unemployment benefits.

States with the most weeks of unemployment benefits

Chansom Pantip/Adobe depressed man filling unemployment form online

All the states and territories on this list provide a standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Five of the states and territories on this list are in the top 10 states with the highest unemployment rates in the country.

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland

The District of Columbia tops the list of these states with an unemployment rate of 5%, while California has an unemployment rate of 4.7%.

On the other hand, the state with the lowest unemployment rate of all U.S. states and territories is Maryland, with just 1.7% unemployment.

More states with the most weeks of unemployment benefits

JJ Gouin/Adobe banknotes on unemployment benefits application form

These states also provide the standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania

Among these states are also several with low unemployment rates, with North Dakota coming in at 1.9% and South Dakota only slightly higher at 2%.

On the other end of the spectrum is Nevada, with a 5.4% unemployment rate, making it the second most unemployed state in the U.S.

Even more states with the most weeks of unemployment benefits

ymgerman/Adobe man filling unemployment benefits application form

This last group of states and territories that provide the standard 26 weeks includes Puerto Rico, which also has the highest unemployment rate of any state or territory.

The island territory has a 6% unemployment rate, higher than the national rate of 3.7%.

  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virgin Islands
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

But this group also includes Vermont, which has only 1.9% unemployment, making it less likely for residents to apply for unemployment benefits.

Winner: Montana

edb3_16/Adobe glacier lake with rocky mountain landscape

The state with the most weeks of unemployment benefits is Montana, which gives unemployed residents 28 weeks of benefits.

The state is also in the bottom 10 states when it comes to the unemployment rate, with 2.7% of residents considered unemployed and qualifying for benefits.

Bottom line

Feng Yu/Adobe unemployment phrase highlighted with pink highlighter

Unemployment benefits can be an excellent way to help you get through employment struggles until you find a new job.

It also may be a good time to review your budget and find ways to save while unemployed. Benefits can be helpful to cover expenses, but they may not completely replace your lost income.

You should also consider setting up a high-yield savings account if you’re worried about getting laid. The high-yield account can earn you extra cash in interest that you may need later on.


Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.