Are Unemployment Benefits Paid Weekly?

Are Unemployment Benefits Paid Weekly?

Unemployment benefits are often spoken of as weekly payments, but this is mostly because they are usually calculated using a weekly baseline for earnings. Some states pay unemployment compensation every week, while others commonly group their payments into two-week blocks and pay twice a month. In some cases, you may get more than two weeks of benefits on a single check.

What Is Unemployment Compensation?

Unemployment assistance is a public benefit for workers who find themselves displaced from work. Using your previous earnings as a baseline, each state’s unemployment department computes an appropriate weekly compensation award for you and makes payments, typically onto a debit card you can use the same way you use your bank card.

How Does Filing a Claim Work?

Each state operates its own unemployment compensation system, which follows state laws and applies its own criteria for eligibility. In general, workers must pay into the system via a recurring withholding tax for a certain period before they become eligible for benefits. The exact amount of benefits you are entitled to varies with your state laws, your length of work, time since your last claim and the base pay you earned during the lookback period, which is usually 12 to 18 months, starting in the quarter prior to the period in which you filed your claim.

If you ever find yourself out of work, it’s a good idea to file a claim as soon as possible. Most states allow you to submit applications online or by phone. You should be prepared to give your name and other personal information, including your Social Security number, as well as your last employer’s information and the amount you earned at your job. You will also typically have to give the department the reason you lost your job, as some states refuse benefits to people who voluntarily quit or were fired with cause. Your employer may be contacted to confirm the details you provide.

Expect some delays before your claim is approved. It takes time to process every request, and sometimes employers delay giving the needed information. You should be ready to give a telephone interview to the unemployment department during this time to confirm some details on your application. If your claim is rejected, you have a right to appeal within a given timeframe. Once you are approved for benefits, the department calculates the exact amount you are owed per week and sets up payments for you. You should expect to recertify for continuing benefits every one or two weeks, depending on your state. Most states also impose a two-week waiting period before benefits can be paid.

How Much Does Unemployment Pay?

The amount you are paid is usually conveyed to you as a weekly benefit, regardless of how often you are actually paid. Benefit totals may be as low as $180 a week, or as high as the $600 range. In 2020, Congress authorized multiple payments of COVID relief funds, which amounted to extra money each week for several months for many recipients. The final number depends on many factors unique to your case, which you can discuss with a worker.

Which States Pay Unemployment Every Week?

States are about evenly split between weekly and bi-weekly payments of unemployment benefits. While all states compute their award totals on a continuing weekly basis, you should contact your local state agency to ask about the payment schedule you can expect. Note that some states responded to the elevated need for benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic by switching their payment schedules.