How Much Unemployment Pays in Minnesota
How Minnesota calculates weekly unemployment benefits, the current minimum and maximum, and how many weeks you can collect.
Short answer: Your weekly benefit is about 50% of your average weekly wage: the higher of half your average weekly base period wage (capped at 66-2/3% of the state average weekly wage) or half your average weekly high-quarter wage (capped at 43% of the state average weekly wage). Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Information Handbook, After you apply; Minn. Stat. § 268.07, subd. 2a
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit is about 50% of your average weekly wage: the higher of half your average weekly base period wage (capped at 66-2/3% of the state average weekly wage) or half your average weekly high-quarter wage (capped at 43% of the state average weekly wage). For benefit accounts effective October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026, the state maximum is $948 per week. The maximum is reset for accounts established on or after the last Sunday in October each year; the figure for accounts starting October 25, 2026 had not been posted by the agency when checked. Your weekly amount stays the same for the life of your account. |
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| How many weeks | The maximum total benefits are the lower of one-third of your base period wage credits or 26 times your weekly benefit amount (up to 26 weeks). |
| Waiting week | Yes. Minnesota law requires one nonpayable week, the first week you are eligible. You must request payment for it. You have only one nonpayable week in the 52 weeks after you apply. |
Where to get help in Minnesota
More Minnesota unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Minnesota Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Minnesota
- Unemployment After Being Fired in Minnesota
- Unemployment After Quitting in Minnesota
- How to File for Unemployment in Minnesota
- All Minnesota unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
How much is unemployment in Minnesota?
Your weekly benefit is about 50% of your average weekly wage: the higher of half your average weekly base period wage (capped at 66-2/3% of the state average weekly wage) or half your average weekly high-quarter wage (capped at 43% of the state average weekly wage). For benefit accounts effective October 26, 2025 through October 24, 2026, the state maximum is $948 per week.
How long can you get unemployment in Minnesota?
The maximum total benefits are the lower of one-third of your base period wage credits or 26 times your weekly benefit amount (up to 26 weeks).
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota law requires one nonpayable week, the first week you are eligible. You must request payment for it. You have only one nonpayable week in the 52 weeks after you apply.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.