Minnesota Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Minnesota weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Minnesota pays up to $948 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Minnesota 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 Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED) 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
$500/week
≈ 50% of your weekly wage · Minnesota · estimate only
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$13,000
Maximum benefits = lower of 33 1/3% of total wage credits or 26 x WBA. Up to 26 weeks.
Minnesota 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 50% up to Minnesota's $948 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 Minnesota Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA is the HIGHER of: (1) 50% of average weekly wage over the base period (total wage credits / 52), capped at 66 2/3% of the state AWW; or (2) 50% of average weekly wage in the high quarter (high-quarter credits / 13), capped at 43% of the state AWW. Result clamped to the state maximum.
The result is capped at Minnesota's $948 maximum and floored at its $28 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Maximum benefits = lower of 33 1/3% of total wage credits or 26 x WBA. Up to 26 weeks.
Source: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED).
Who Qualifies in Minnesota
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters (most recent 52-week period). 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. Wage credits of at least 5.3% of the state's average annual wage (rounded down to the next lower $100) in the base period. Minnesota also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Minnesota?
Minnesota pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $28 minimum up to a $948 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Minnesota?
Up to 26 weeks. Maximum benefits = lower of 33 1/3% of total wage credits or 26 x WBA. Up to 26 weeks.
How is my Minnesota weekly benefit calculated?
WBA is the HIGHER of: (1) 50% of average weekly wage over the base period (total wage credits / 52), capped at 66 2/3% of the state AWW; or (2) 50% of average weekly wage in the high quarter (high-quarter credits / 13), capped at 43% of the state AWW. Result clamped to the state maximum.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Minnesota?
$948 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 Minnesota's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED) 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 Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.