State Maximum Benefit Amount

• Each state sets a maximum unemployment benefit amount per payment. The maximum is based on what the average worker would qualify for. The amount varies by state. Check with your state's department of labor (see Resources).
  
  

Maximum Eligible Payment Amount

• Although each state has maximum benefit laws, individuals also have eligibility maximums. This number is based on your salary in the first four of the past five calendar quarters before you filed for benefits. Each state's calculation formula varies. Most states pay about half of your average base salary.
  
  

Maximum Eligible Number of Payments

• State guidelines also determine the number of payments for which you are eligible. Some states use the credit week system, which counts the number of weeks you've made more than a certain amount and awards you that many weeks in benefit payments. Other states determine number of payments based on your yearly maximum benefit divided by your weekly benefit amount.
  
  

State Maximum Number of Payments

• State law also caps the number of payments you can receive each benefit year. Your benefit year ends on the anniversary of your initial unemployment claim. During that year, most states won't allow you to claim more than 26 weeks, or half the year, of payments. Exceptions are made through emergency unemployment payments the federal government authorizes during times of high unemployment.