Weekly payments to workers who lost their job through no fault of their own.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary income to workers who have been laid off or lost work. Administered by each state. Most states require weekly or bi-weekly recertification.
$385/week (varies by state)
Who qualifies
Must be unemployed through no fault of your own (usually due to lack of available work). Must meet state requirements for wages earned or time worked during a base period (usually first four out of last five completed calendar quarters). Must meet additional state-specific requirements.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-19. UnifiedAid is an independent service and is not a government agency. Applications and approval decisions are made only by the official agency.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for Unemployment Insurance?
Must be unemployed through no fault of your own (usually due to lack of available work). Must meet state requirements for wages earned or time worked during a base period (usually first four out of last five completed calendar quarters). Must meet additional state-specific requirements.
How much does Unemployment Insurance pay?
Typical benefit: $385/week (varies by state).
What documents do I need to apply?
addresses of former employment, dates of former employment.
How long does the application take?
Most people complete the application in about 40 minutes. Processing time varies by state but is typically 30 days or less.