Maine Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Maine weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Maine pays up to $649 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Maine weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), Bureau of Unemployment Compensation to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$591/week
≈ 59% of your weekly wage · Maine · estimate only
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$15,366
Maximum benefits = lesser of 26 x WBA or 33 1/3% of total base-period wages. Dependency-allowance increase cannot exceed 26 x WBA.
Maine has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 59% up to Maine's $649 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How Maine Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 1/22 of the average of the wages paid in the two highest quarters of the base period, rounded down to the next lower whole dollar. (i.e., (sum of two highest quarters / 2) / 22.)
The result is capped at Maine's $649 maximum and floored at its $89 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Maximum benefits = lesser of 26 x WBA or 33 1/3% of total base-period wages. Dependency-allowance increase cannot exceed 26 x WBA.
Dependents: $25 per dependent per week. Total dependency allowance may not exceed 75% of the WBA. Applies to unemancipated children under 18 (or 18+ if incapacitated/full-time student) dependent on and supported by the claimant. The allowance is ON TOP of the WBA and is not capped by the regular WBA max.
Source: Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.
Who Qualifies in Maine
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters preceding the benefit year. Alternate base period (most recent four completed quarters) available.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have wages in at least two quarters of the base period and total base-period wages of at least 6 times the state average weekly wage; high quarter must meet a minimum threshold. Maine also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Maine?
Maine pays roughly 59% of your average weekly wage, from a $89 minimum up to a $649 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Maine?
Up to 26 weeks. Maximum benefits = lesser of 26 x WBA or 33 1/3% of total base-period wages. Dependency-allowance increase cannot exceed 26 x WBA.
How is my Maine weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 1/22 of the average of the wages paid in the two highest quarters of the base period, rounded down to the next lower whole dollar. (i.e., (sum of two highest quarters / 2) / 22.)
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Maine?
$649 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on Maine's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), Bureau of Unemployment Compensation from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-06-02. Only Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), Bureau of Unemployment Compensation can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.