ABA Family Legal Guide

Law and the Workplace

Leaving a Job

Unemployment Insurance

How is the amount of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits determined?

While the amount varies by state, the general formula is 50 percent of the employee's weekly wage, not to exceed a statutory cap on amount paid. The cap is based on a percentage of the state's average weekly wages for all workers. Because of the cap on maximum benefits, most workers receive much less than 50 percent of their weekly wage.