Can You Get Unemployment If Fired? State by State (2026)
Each state's rule on collecting unemployment after being fired, and what counts as disqualifying misconduct.
| State | If you were fired |
|---|---|
| Alabama | You can be disqualified if you were fired for work-related misconduct. The state looks at how serious the misconduct was, whether you were warned, and whether steps were taken to correct the behavior before you were fired. If you are discharged, your employer must show you were terminated for a work-connected cause. Being fired for a criminal act can also remove that employer's wages from your claim. Alabama Department of Workforce, Unemployment Guidebook (Benefit Rights and Responsibilities); Unemployment FAQ |
| Alaska | If you were fired for misconduct connected with your work, you face a six-week disqualification starting with the first week you are unemployed, plus a three-week reduction in your benefits, and you may also be ineligible for Extended Benefits. If you go back to work during the disqualification period, contact a claim center, because the disqualification may be lifted. You must report a firing accurately on your claim. Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook |
| Arizona | You are disqualified if you were discharged for willful or negligent misconduct connected with your work. The disqualification covers the week of discharge and the waiting week and lasts until you have earned wages equal to five times your weekly benefit amount in later work. A.R.S. § 23-775(2) |
| Arkansas | You may not receive benefits if you were fired for misconduct, which the state describes as careless or deliberate behavior that results in being fired or suspended from your job. Being fired for other reasons does not by itself disqualify you. Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance Handbook (2026), Section 2 and Glossary |
| California | Being fired does not automatically disqualify you. If you are fired, your employer must prove there was misconduct for you to be denied benefits. California EDD, Unemployment Eligibility Requirements |
| Colorado | Being fired does not automatically disqualify you; Colorado looks at the reason for the separation. Reasons that lead to a disqualification include insubordination, violating a law or company rule that could seriously harm the employer or endanger others, theft, assault or threats, on-the-job drug or alcohol use (or a positive test under a written policy), willful neglect or damage, rudeness not reasonably tolerated, careless or shoddy work (but not ordinary mistakes), and taking unauthorized vacations. If your most recent separation is disqualifying, benefits are deferred for 10 weeks and reduced. Wage credits can be canceled entirely only for gross misconduct, fraud and similar serious causes. C.R.S. § 8-73-108(3)(d), (5)(e), (5)(g) |
| Connecticut | You are not eligible if you were fired for misconduct, which CTDOL describes as careless or deliberate behavior that results in your suspension or discharge, such as dishonesty related to your job, unexcused absences, or knowingly violating company policy. Under state law, a discharge or suspension for wilful misconduct disqualifies you until you have earned at least ten times your weekly benefit rate in later work. CTDOL, A Guide to Collecting Benefits in Connecticut; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-236(a)(2)(B) |
| Delaware | You may be denied benefits if you were discharged for just cause in connection with your work, such as lateness, unexcused absences, or violating company rules. Delaware Division of Unemployment Insurance, UI Claimant Handbook (revised April 2020) |
| District of Columbia | If you were fired for gross misconduct, you are ineligible until you have worked in 10 later weeks (not necessarily in a row) and earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. If you were fired for other (less serious) misconduct, you are ineligible for the first 8 weeks otherwise payable, or until you have worked 8 later weeks and earned at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount, and your total benefits are reduced by 8 times your weekly benefit amount. Misconduct is defined by DOES regulations. D.C. Code § 51-110(b) |
| Florida | If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified for the full period of unemployment that follows, until you are reemployed and have earned at least 17 times your weekly benefit amount. The disqualification cannot extend beyond 52 weeks; FloridaCommerce sets its length based on the circumstances and seriousness of the misconduct. Fla. Stat. § 443.101(1)(a) |
| Georgia | You may not receive benefits if you were fired for misconduct. Being let go for other reasons does not by itself disqualify you; GDOL contacts your last employer for details about the separation. Georgia Department of Labor, UI Claimant Handbook (2026) |
| Hawaii | You may be disqualified if you were terminated or let go for misconduct related to your work. Being let go for other reasons, such as a layoff, does not disqualify you. Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Unemployment Insurance FAQ |
| Idaho | You are denied benefits if you were discharged for workplace misconduct connected with your employment, and the employer has the burden of proving it. An indefinite unpaid suspension with no return date is treated as a discharge. To requalify, you must get bona fide work and earn at least 14 times your weekly benefit amount. Idaho Code § 72-1366(1), (5), (14) |
| Illinois | You are disqualified if you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work. You stay ineligible until you find another job, earn at least your weekly benefit amount in each of four calendar weeks, and then lose that job through no fault of your own. If you were discharged for a felony or theft connected with your work, you may be denied all benefits based on wages paid up to the discharge. Illinois Department of Employment Security, Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook, Disqualifications |
| Indiana | You may be denied benefits if you were discharged for just cause. Examples DWD lists include giving false information on a job application, knowingly breaking an employer's rules, unexcused absence or tardiness, purposely damaging the employer's property, refusing to obey instructions, reporting to work intoxicated or using drugs or alcohol at work without permission, conduct that threatens others' safety, conviction and imprisonment for a serious crime, and breach of a duty owed to the employer. If the employer cannot show just cause, no penalty is imposed. Being suspended for work-related misconduct also makes you ineligible. Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Claimant Handbook (July 2026) |
| Iowa | You are disqualified if you were discharged for misconduct: a deliberate act or omission that is a material breach of your job duties, showing willful or wanton disregard of the employer's interests (ordinary carelessness is not enough unless it is repeated to the point of equal culpability). Examples in the law include falsifying a job application, knowingly violating a reasonable and uniformly enforced rule, intentional damage to property, using or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work in violation of policy, endangering others' safety, excessive unexcused tardiness or absences, theft, and losing a required license through your own fault. The disqualification lasts until you have earned 10 times your weekly benefit amount in insured work. For gross misconduct (an indictable offense connected with work, with a conviction or signed admission), all wage credits earned before the discharge are canceled. Iowa Code § 96.5(2) (2026) |
| Kansas | If you were discharged or suspended for misconduct, you are disqualified until you are reemployed and have earned at least 3 times your weekly benefit amount. Misconduct means violating a duty owed to the employer, such as a company or safety rule you knew or should have known about, that is lawful, job-related and fairly and consistently enforced. Unreported absences can count, but attendance-based misconduct generally requires a prior warning. You are not disqualified for inefficiency, inability, ordinary negligence or good-faith errors. Gross misconduct (such as theft, fraud, intentional damage or injury, any felony, or alcohol or drug use or impairment at work) disqualifies you until you earn 8 times your weekly benefit amount and cancels that employer's wage credits. K.S.A. 44-706(b) |
| Kentucky | Benefits are meant for people who lose work through no fault of their own. If you were discharged or suspended for misconduct or dishonesty, you may be found not qualified. The Office of Unemployment Insurance notifies your employer, may hold a fact-finding interview, and issues a written Notice of Determination. Kentucky Claimant Guide (PAM-UI-400, Rev. 02/26), Employer Notification |
| Louisiana | You cannot get benefits if you were fired for misconduct, including illegal drug or alcohol use. Misconduct includes breaking work rules or poor job performance such as repeated tardiness, insubordination or knowingly breaking company policy. If disqualified, you must earn wages equal to 10 times your weekly benefit amount before you can qualify again. For aggravated misconduct (serious acts such as theft, intentional damage or workplace violence), wages from that employer cannot be used for future benefits. Louisiana Works, Unemployment Benefits Rights and Information (Rev. 08/2026) |
| Maine | You may be disqualified if you were discharged or fired for misconduct. Your employer is contacted for information, and the Department issues a written decision you can appeal. Maine Department of Labor, Claimants Frequently Asked Questions |
| Maryland | Maryland has three levels of misconduct. Ordinary misconduct leads to a disqualification of 10 to 15 weeks, set by how serious it was. Gross misconduct (deliberate and willful disregard of the standards an employer can rightfully expect, or repeated rule violations showing a regular and wanton disregard of your obligations) disqualifies you until you are rehired and earn at least 25 times your weekly benefit amount. Aggravated misconduct is treated separately and more strictly. Md. Code, Labor and Employment §§ 8-1002, 8-1003 |
| Massachusetts | You are disqualified if you were fired for deliberate misconduct in wilful disregard of the employer's interest, or for a knowing violation of a reasonable and uniformly enforced rule or policy (unless the violation was the result of incompetence). Being fired simply for poor performance you could not help does not disqualify you. Stealing from the workplace, illegal drug use at work or drunkenness at work disqualify you even without a written policy. The disqualification lasts until you have worked at least eight weeks and earned at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151A, § 25(e) and (k) |
| Michigan | You are disqualified if you were suspended or discharged for misconduct connected with your work or for intoxication at work. To requalify, you must earn at least 17 times your weekly benefit rate. Separate disqualifications apply to discharges for assault and battery, theft, willful destruction of property, and illegal drug use or possession on the employer's premises (including refusing or failing a nondiscriminatory drug test); these carry a 26-week requalifying period and reduce your benefits by 13 weeks. MCL 421.29(1)(b), (1)(h)-(n), (3), (4) |
| Minnesota | You are not eligible if you were discharged for employment misconduct: intentional, negligent or indifferent conduct that seriously violates the standards of behavior an employer can reasonably expect. Examples include continued unexcused absences or tardiness, drug or alcohol use on the job, breaking company rules, insubordination, theft, fighting or harassment. Being fired for illness with proper notice, inability to meet performance standards, inefficiency, or honest mistakes usually does not disqualify you. For aggravated misconduct (an act that would be a gross misdemeanor or felony with a significant effect on the job), wages from that employer are removed from your account. To become eligible again, you must earn at least $1,950 in new covered work and then lose that job through no fault of your own. Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, Reason you are unemployed |
| Mississippi | You are disqualified if you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work. Under the definition used by the Mississippi Supreme Court, misconduct means willful and wanton disregard of the employer's interest, such as deliberate violations of the standards of behavior an employer can expect, or carelessness so serious or repeated that it shows wrongful intent. Mere inefficiency, poor performance due to inability, isolated ordinary negligence and good-faith errors are not misconduct. Breaking a rule counts only if you knew or should have known of it, it was lawful and job-related, and it was fairly and consistently enforced. The disqualification lasts until you are reemployed and earn 8 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work. MDES, UI Claimant Handbook |
| Missouri | If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you earn wages equal to 6 times your weekly benefit amount. Each additional misconduct disqualification requires another 6 times your weekly benefit amount. In aggravated cases, the Division can cancel some or all of the wage credits from that employer. RSMo 288.050.2; Missouri DES, Help Topics for Unemployed Workers |
| Montana | You may not receive benefits if you were suspended or discharged for misconduct; being discharged for other reasons does not disqualify you. Gross misconduct (a criminal act you were convicted of or admitted, or flagrant or wanton disregard of the rights or interests of a co-worker or the employer) disqualifies you for 52 weeks. After a misconduct disqualification, you can requalify by showing enough earnings from a new job covered by unemployment insurance. Montana UI Claimant Handbook (December 2025), Eligibility for Benefits; Requalification; UI terms |
| Nebraska | If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified for the week of discharge and the 14 weeks after it. If the misconduct was gross, flagrant and willful, or unlawful, you are totally disqualified from benefits based on wages earned before the discharge. Misconduct involving intoxication at work cancels all wage credits from that employer. Courts describe misconduct as wanton and willful disregard of the employer's interests, deliberate rule violations, or negligence showing culpability. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-628.10 |
| Nevada | If you were discharged from your last or next-to-last job for misconduct connected with your work, you are ineligible until you earn at least your weekly benefit amount in covered employment in each of up to 15 weeks, with the number of weeks set according to how serious the misconduct was. If you were discharged for assault, arson, sabotage, grand larceny, embezzlement or wanton destruction of property in connection with your work (admitted or resulting in a conviction), you are denied benefits based on wages from that employer. NRS 612.385; NRS 612.383 |
| New Hampshire | If you were discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you have earned, in each of 5 weeks, wages at least 20% more than your weekly benefit amount in covered employment after the discharge. RSA 282-A:32, I(b) |
| New Jersey | If you were fired or suspended for misconduct, you are disqualified for the week of the firing or suspension and the next five weeks. If the firing was for gross misconduct (conduct serious enough to be a first-, second-, third- or fourth-degree crime), the disqualification is indefinite: to remove it, you must work in covered employment for at least eight weeks, earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit rate, and then lose that job through no fault of your own; wages from the employer that fired you cannot be used. An exception may apply if the separation was related to domestic violence. New Jersey Division of Unemployment Insurance, Quit or fired |
| New Mexico | You may qualify if you were discharged for reasons other than misconduct. Benefits may be denied if you were discharged for reasons that amount to misconduct. When a separation is in question, the department asks you and your employer to describe what happened, and an adjudicator issues a written decision, usually within 4 to 8 weeks of the claim. NMDWS Unemployment Insurance FAQs; NMDWS Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook (rev. 02/2015) |
| New York | If you lost your job through misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you work again and earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit rate. If you lost your job because of a job-related felony and are convicted or sign an admission, you are disqualified for 12 months, and wages from that employer before the act cannot be used for a new claim. The disqualification is not limited to one benefit year. N.Y. Labor Law § 593(3), (4), (5) |
| North Carolina | You are disqualified if you are unemployed because of misconduct connected with the work: willful or wanton disregard of the employer's interest, such as deliberately violating standards of behavior the employer can expect or has explained to you, or carelessness or negligence so serious or repeated that it shows intentional disregard of the employer's interests. Examples presumed to be misconduct (which you can rebut) include violating a written drug or alcohol policy, reporting to work impaired, physical violence connected with work, theft, falsifying employment documents, violating a written absenteeism policy, and refusing or failing to perform assigned work after at least three written reprimands in the prior 12 months. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 96-14.6 |
| North Dakota | If you are fired for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you go back to work for another covered employer and earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. Examples Job Service lists include violating a posted or known company rule, insubordination, theft, destroying company property and unexcused absences. If you are fired for gross misconduct, you are disqualified for one year. Job Service North Dakota, Unemployment Insurance Claimant Guide, "Misconduct" |
| Ohio | If you are discharged for just cause in connection with your work, you are disqualified for the length of your unemployment. Being fired for a reason that is not just cause, such as a layoff or poor fit, does not disqualify you on its own. Ohio Rev. Code 4141.29(D)(2)(a) |
| Oklahoma | You are disqualified if you were discharged for misconduct connected with your last work, and the employer has the burden of proving the misconduct. State law lists the kinds of conduct that count as misconduct. If you are fired, a hold is placed on your claim until OESC decides whether you are eligible. Okla. Stat. tit. 40, § 2-406, as reproduced in the OESC Precedent Manual; OESC Unemployment FAQ |
| Oregon | If you were fired or suspended for misconduct, you may not receive benefits. If you were fired or suspended for a reason other than misconduct, you may still qualify. The department decides each case on its facts and may ask both you and your employer for information. Oregon Employment Department, Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook (UIPUB350), "Qualifying for benefits" |
| Pennsylvania | If you are discharged for willful misconduct connected with your work, you are not eligible for benefits. The employer has to prove it. Willful misconduct means wanton or willful disregard of the employer's interests, deliberately breaking rules, disregarding the standards of behavior an employer can rightfully expect, or negligence that shows culpability, wrongful intent or intentional disregard of the employer's interests or your duties. 43 P.S. § 802(e) (UC Law Section 402(e)); PA L&I Benefit Guide, Eligibility Information |
| Rhode Island | If you are discharged, or suspended without pay, for proved misconduct connected with your work, you get no benefits until you earn at least 8 times your weekly benefit rate in new covered work. Misconduct means deliberate conduct in willful disregard of the employer's interest, or knowingly breaking a reasonable rule or policy that the employer enforces uniformly. It does not include a violation that results from incompetence. Being required to retire under a retirement plan is never treated as misconduct. R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-18 |
| South Carolina | You may be ineligible if you were discharged for cause or for misconduct. If you are disqualified, you have to wait until the disqualification period ends and then reopen your claim or file a new one. SC DEW, Claimant Handbook (as of 9/3/2025), "UI Eligibility Determinations" |
| South Dakota | If you were discharged, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer. Misconduct means careless or deliberate behavior that gets you fired or suspended, such as dishonesty related to the job, unexcused absences or violating company policy. A disqualification ends once you have worked a new covered job and earned at least your weekly benefit amount in each of at least six calendar weeks. SD DLR, Reemployment Assistance Claimant Handbook, "Requalification" and glossary; Eligibility Requirements page |
| Tennessee | You are disqualified if you were fired from your most recent work for misconduct connected with the work. Misconduct includes conscious disregard of the employer's rights or interests; deliberate violation of reasonable standards of behavior; carelessness or negligence serious or repeated enough to show intentional or substantial disregard of the employer's interests; deliberate disregard of a written attendance policy when the firing follows that policy; and violating an employer rule, unless you show you could not reasonably have known the rule or the rule is unlawful or unrelated to the job. Certain job-related dishonesty and crimes also count. Misconduct does not include poor performance due to inability, ordinary negligence in isolated instances, or good-faith errors in judgment. The disqualification lasts until you work again in covered employment and earn ten times your weekly benefit amount. Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-7-303(a)(2), (b)(3); Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Do I Qualify? |
| Texas | If you were fired for a reason other than misconduct, you may be eligible. If your employer demanded your resignation, that counts as being fired. Examples of misconduct that can disqualify you include violating company policy, breaking the law, neglecting or mismanaging your job, and failing to do your work adequately when you are able to. TWC, Eligibility & Benefit Amounts, "Types of Job Separation" |
| Utah | You are disqualified if you were discharged for just cause, or for a deliberate, willful or wanton act or omission against the employer's rightful interest. The disqualification lasts until you earn at least 6 times your weekly benefit amount in bona fide covered work. If you were fired for dishonesty that is a crime, or for a felony or class A misdemeanor connected with your work, you are disqualified for that week and the next 51 weeks, and those wages are removed from your base period. Utah Code § 35A-4-405(2) |
| Vermont | If you are discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified for 6 to 15 weeks after you file, as the Commissioner decides. Your total benefits are also limited to 23 full weeks. If you are fired for gross misconduct, you are disqualified until you work for a bona fide employer and earn more than 6 times your weekly benefit amount. Gross misconduct means flagrant, wanton and intentional disregard of the employer's business interest, such as theft, fraud, intoxication, intentionally damaging property or injuring someone, a felony, or repeated insubordination or public profanity after a written warning. 21 V.S.A. § 1344(a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(B); VDOL, Calculating Your UI Benefit |
| Virginia | If you are discharged for misconduct connected with your work, you are disqualified until you work for an employer for 30 days or 240 hours and then become separated again. The law's examples of misconduct include a confirmed positive test for a non-prescribed controlled substance under a known workplace drug policy, and lying about past criminal convictions on a job application. Other examples are willfully violating a state standard in a way that would get a licensed employer sanctioned, and chronic absenteeism or tardiness that deliberately violates a known policy, or unapproved absences after a written warning. The VEC may consider mitigating circumstances. Va. Code § 60.2-618(2) |
| Washington | If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. If ESD finds misconduct or gross misconduct, it denies benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired, and you must earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work to qualify again. For gross misconduct, ESD also removes those wages and hours from your record, which can make you ineligible for future benefits. Being let go for performance alone is generally treated as a firing, not necessarily misconduct. Washington ESD, Laid off or fired |
| West Virginia | Workers fired for misconduct cannot receive benefits. If you were discharged for reasons that are not willful misconduct, you may qualify. WorkForce WV's handbook describes misconduct as careless or deliberate behavior that gets you fired or suspended, such as job-related dishonesty, unexcused absences or violating company policy. The agency may contact you and your employer about why you were separated. WorkForce WV, Claimant Handbook, "Qualifying for UI Benefits" and glossary |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin has two levels of disqualification. If you are fired for misconduct, the wages from that employer cannot be used to qualify. You are also ineligible for seven weeks from the date you were fired and until you earn 14 times your weekly benefit rate. Misconduct includes willful or wanton disregard of the employer's interests, violating a written alcohol or drug policy, theft, harassment or violence, excessive absenteeism or tardiness, and falsifying records. If you are fired for substantial fault, meaning acts within your control that violate reasonable employer requirements, you are ineligible for seven weeks and until you earn 14 times your weekly benefit rate. Minor rule violations not repeated after a warning, honest mistakes, and lacking the skill or equipment to do the job are not substantial fault. Wisconsin DWD, Claimant Handbook UCB-10-P (R. 06/16/2026), eligibility section and glossary |
| Wyoming | If you were fired for misconduct related to your job, you can be disqualified and will not receive payments until the issue is resolved. The division reviews the reason for your separation using information from you and your employer. Wyoming DWS, Unemployment Insurance FAQ, "What does it mean to be disqualified?"; UI Claimant Guidebook |
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.