Mississippi Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Mississippi weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Mississippi pays up to $235 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Mississippi 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 Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) 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
$235/week
≈ 24% of your weekly wage · Mississippi · estimate only
You're at Mississippi's $235 maximum.
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$6,110
Your wage is above Mississippi's benefit cap, so you would receive the $235 maximum regardless of higher earnings.
Maximum Benefit Amount = lesser of 26 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages. Up to 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Mississippi 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 Mississippi's $235 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 Mississippi Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = high-quarter earnings / 26, rounded down to the next lower dollar, clamped to the $30-$235 range.
The result is capped at Mississippi's $235 maximum and floored at its $30 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Maximum Benefit Amount = lesser of 26 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages. Up to 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Source: Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).
Who Qualifies in Mississippi
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim. Alternate base period 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. At least $780 in the high quarter of the base period; total base-period wages of at least 1.5x high-quarter wages, with wages in at least two quarters. Mississippi also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Mississippi?
Mississippi pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $30 minimum up to a $235 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Mississippi?
Up to 26 weeks. Maximum Benefit Amount = lesser of 26 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages. Up to 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
How is my Mississippi weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = high-quarter earnings / 26, rounded down to the next lower dollar, clamped to the $30-$235 range.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Mississippi?
$235 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 Mississippi's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) 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 2026-08-21. Only Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.