Unemployment benefits are determined at the state level and can vary wildly, based on one's previous earnings. The national average is $309 a week for 26 weeks, totaling $8,034 a year. But many states pay much more. We sifted through data from state labor departments to find out which ones offered the most attractive unemployment packages.
Where is the payout the worst? Mississippi, where you'd have to live off of $235 a week.
Though it sounds obvious, we should note here that unemployment benefits are NOT a reason to quit your dead-end job. After all, generally only those who were involuntarily leave their jobs, meet minimum wage requirements and prove to be actively job searching qualify for these benefits.
Check out the states with the most generous unemployment benefits:
1. Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania you receive 50% of your previous base salary per week.
Max: $564/week * 24 weeks = $13,536
Dependency claim: $5 for the first child, $3 for the second, capped at $8
2.Rhode Island
Rhode Islanders receive 4.62% of their highest quarter wages in their last job.
Maximum: $513/week * 26 weeks = $26,676
Dependency claim: $10 per child for up to 5 children
3.Connecticut
To calculate benefits in Connecticut, take the average earnings of your two highest two quarters and divide by 26.
Max: $537/week * 26 weeks = $13,962
Dependency claim: $15 per child, max 5.
4.Hawaii
In Hawaii, unemployment benefits are equivalent to your highest quarter earnings, divided by 21.
Max: $559 * 26 weeks = $14,534
Dependency claim: n/a
5.Washington
In Washington, your potential unemployment insurance is the average of your two highest quarters, divided by 2 and multiplied by 0.0385. This calculator will make it a little easier to determine.
Max: $570/week * 26 weeks = $14,820
Dependency claim: n/a
6. Minnesota
In Minnesota, laid off workers receive half their previous wages per week.
Max: $585/week * 26 weeks = $15,210
Dependency benefits: n/a
7.New Jersey
New Jersey unemployed benefits are 60% of your weekly average wages.
Maximum: $600/week * 26 weeks = $15,600
Dependency claim: You can claim 7% of your weekly benefit amount for the first dependent and 4% each for the next two.
8.Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, laid off workers receive 50% of their average weekly pay.
Max: $629 a week for 30 weeks = $18,870
Dependent child claim: $25 a week per child
Source:huffingtonpost.com
