How Much Does Unemployment Pay?
March 12, 2009 – 4:37 am
Have you ever wondered how much you’d get paid if you were laid off? I wondered recently, and the answer for me is probably ~$20,000 per year (but only for 26 weeks).
The answer depends on a bunch of factors, and it is also state dependent. Apparently in Texas your weekly benefit can range from $57 and $378. Also note that this income is pre-tax, and you can arrange to have taxes withheld from your unemployment pay. I suppose this is a small break for some of us who live in states without an income tax.
There are numerous requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits, but the most notable are:
- your past wages and work history
- the reason you are unemployed. You essentially need to be out of work due to no part of your own to qualify. If you were fired for misconduct then you do not qualify.
- You may also qualify if you quit for good reason, like due to a major change in the hiring agreement, unsafe conditions, etc.
- if you move to be with your husband or wife (a disqualification period may apply).
I’ve read that some states now issue a debit card to make the payout process easier, but I’ve never (thankfully) had to experience this myself. It can also take 2-3 weeks, which is the national average, to begin receiving benefits so please file right away if you qualify!
Below are a few other resource I found that may be of help to you:
- Salary.com state-specific information on unemployment benefits (scroll to bottom)
- A map of unemployment by state, including 1 and 12 month % increase figures
- http://www.unemployment-resources.org/
Image Credit: Tony the Misfit
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3 Responses to “How Much Does Unemployment Pay?”
I had a few friends on unemployment in Colorado back when the home builder we worked for went under. One thing I noted was that in order to retain benefits they had to apply for and document having applied for at least one job a day.
I thought it was a bit surprising as the requirement seemed to be a little low. I guess they keep people looking that way but I think that I would be a bit more motivated (I was when I had to look myself, had a job before my layoff was done) but to each their own I suppose.
By Matt on Mar 12, 2009
In the state of Texas, you are issued a debit card. It works much better than receiving a check. Also, in the State of Texas, the employer pays the unemployment tax. The employer cannot withhold unemployment tax from a worker.
You have to have 5 job searches a week, calling in on the 2nd week of the pay period. Your unemployment benefits are then deposited to the debit card usually within 2 days of reporting that you have attempted to find a new job. You then have to take the sheet that you have recorded your job searches on to the local Texas Workforce Commission.
You can have income tax withheld but it is Federal income tax, not state. We don’t have a state income tax down here.
My husband is currently on unemployment until his seasonal job starts again in May. He is required to take a job if one is offered to him that he is qualified for and that pays at least $7.50 an hour.
As far as the required job searches go, he is 68 years old and there are only so many jobs that he is healthy enough to apply for and accept if he is offered them.
He has part of a foot missing and a knee that is in bad shape. He cannot take a job that requires a lot of lifting or moving a lot of stock around. The unemployment office knows this and advises him of jobs that he is qualified to take.
His seasonal job looks for employees that are retired or older, so it’s a perfect match for him.
By JT Locke on Mar 12, 2009
The reason rates are so much higher for low income receipients is that they gain very little by going back to work. It pays them to sit around and take the easy money as long as it’s available.
By Greg on Feb 22, 2010