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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US monthly unemployment rate for the last year has fluctuated between 3.4% and 3.9%. Of course, the numbers vary by state. California, the District of Columbia, and Nevada have some of the highest unemployment rates, and North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont have some of the lowest. Fortunately, if you are unemployed and eligible, unemployment benefits will pay part of your income while you look for a new job. However, unemployment benefits also vary by state. Below are the 15 states with the highest unemployment rates.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s weekly unemployment benefits range from $98 to $1,033 and can run for up to 26 weeks. The state calculates this benefit at 50% of the average weekly wage in the base period.
Washington
Unemployment benefits in Washington range from a minimum of $323 to a maximum of $1,019 a week. They pay for up to 26 weeks and are calculated at 3.85% of the average of the highest two quarters in the base period.
Minnesota
Minnesota unemployment benefits are calculated as the highest value between 50% of the highest quarter wages in the base period divided by 13, or 50% of the average weekly earnings in the base period. The minimum weekly amount is $28, and the maximum is $890. Minnesota unemployment benefits can run up to 26 weeks.
New Jersey
Unemployment benefits in New Jersey can last up to 26 weeks. The total weekly amount is calculated at 60% of the average weekly pay during the base period. The minimum unemployment benefits in New Jersey are $120 a week, and the maximum is $830.
Colorado
Unemployed workers in Colorado can expect a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $781 a week of unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. Colorado calculates unemployment either as 60% of the weekly pay in two quarters or as 50% of the average weekly pay for the last year.
Ohio
Ohio calculates unemployment benefits at 50% of the average weekly wage of the base period. The minimum weekly benefit is $157, and the maximum is $757. Eligible individuals can claim unemployment in Ohio for up to 26 weeks.
North Dakota
Eligible North Dakota residents can receive unemployment benefits of $48 to $748 a week for up to 26 weeks. Benefits are calculated as 1/64th of the total wages in the two highest quarters of the base period, added to half of the earnings in the third highest quarter.
Iowa
Weekly unemployment benefits in Iowa range from $72 to $714 and last for up to 16 weeks. Iowa calculates these benefits by divining the highest quarter of pay by 19 to 23, depending on how many dependents the claimant has.
Oklahoma
The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Oklahoma is $539, but individuals with dependents can qualify for up to $707. Benefits can be paid for up to 16 weeks. Oklahoma weekly benefits are 1/23 of your pay in the highest quarter of the base period.
Wyoming
Wyoming is another state that will pay unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. Benefits are calculated by dividing the wages in the highest quarter of the base period by 25. The minimum weekly benefit is $43, and the maximum is $595.
Texas
Weekly unemployment in Texas is 1/25th of wages in the maximum quarter of the base period. That’s a minimum of $73 and a maximum of $577 a week. Texas benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks.
Montana
The amount of unemployment benefits in Montana is determined on a weekly rate of either 1% of total pay during the base period or 1.9% of income earned in two quarters with the highest pay. The minimum benefit is $163, and the maximum is $552 a week. Montana unemployment benefits can pay for up to 28 weeks.
Kansas
The minimum unemployment benefit in Kansas is $147 a week, and the maximum is $549. Benefits are calculated by multiplying the highest quarter’s earnings in the base period by 4.25% and are paid for up to 16 weeks.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, the minimum weekly unemployment benefits are $86, and the maximum is $511. Benefits can run for up to 26 weeks and are calculated at 53.5% of the average weekly pay in the highest quarter of the base period.
Utah
Utah doesn’t really have a minimum and maximum weekly benefit, but the average is $391 a week for up to 26 weeks. Utah calculates the benefit amount by dividing the highest quarter’s wages by 26 and subtracting $5.
With access to the internet at our fingertips, there’s no excuse for not knowing the local currency of the place you’re traveling to. A quick Google search will reveal the currency and provide guides on what payment methods you should use and where to exchange your money.
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