New Jersey Unemployment Calculator
Figure basis: Official U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment InsuranceThis calculator estimates your New Jersey unemployment insurance (UI) weekly benefit for 2026. Enter your usual gross weekly pay to see an estimated weekly benefit, alongside the official New Jersey minimum ($186) and maximum ($905) weekly benefit amounts and the 20 to 26 weeks of benefits payable. The weekly amount is an estimate: it uses about 50% wage replacement (which matches the common "one twenty-sixth of high-quarter wages" rule) and is capped at the state minimum and maximum. Your state agency sets the exact figure from your base-period wage history, and eligibility rules apply. The minimum, maximum, and number of weeks are the official 2026 figures, sourced from U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance.
In New Jersey, the weekly unemployment benefit ranges from $186 to $905, payable for 20 to 26 weeks (up to $23,530 in total). On $1,000 a week, the estimated benefit is about $500.00 per week.
How New Jersey unemployment benefits work
New Jersey pays a weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your earnings during the base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). The WBA is subject to a state minimum of $186 and a maximum of $905, and is payable for 20 to 26 weeks.
estimated weekly benefit = min(max(weekly wage x 50%, $186), $905)
estimated maximum total = estimated weekly benefit x 26 weeks
The 50% figure is an approximation of the common state formula; your state agency sets the exact WBA from your wage records.
New Jersey unemployment figures (2026)
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $186 | U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $905 | U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance |
| Weeks payable | 20 to 26 weeks | U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance |
Why New Jersey's 60% rule beats the 50% estimate
New Jersey runs one of the most generous unemployment programs in this group, and it shows at both ends of the scale. The 2026 maximum weekly benefit is $905, the highest of these seven states, and the minimum is a striking $186, far above the single- and double-digit floors seen in Nevada or New Hampshire. New Jersey also replaces a larger share of lost wages than the common rule of thumb: its weekly amount is set at 60% of your average weekly wage, not the roughly 50% baked into this calculator's quick estimate.
That 60% replacement rate is the single most important thing to know about the New Jersey figure on this page. Because the calculator uses about 50%, it tends to understate a mid-income New Jersey claimant's actual weekly benefit until the state maximum caps it, so read the estimate as conservative. New Jersey also indexes its minimum, maximum, and taxable wage base to the statewide average weekly wage every January, which is why these numbers climb most years. Duration runs from 20 to 26 weeks depending on your base-period work history. Treat the $186 minimum, the $905 maximum, and the 20 to 26 week band as the sourced facts, and let the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development set your exact rate from your wage records.
New Jersey unemployment: frequently asked questions
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in New Jersey for 2026?
The maximum weekly benefit amount in New Jersey is $905 for 2026. The minimum is $186. Over the maximum 26 weeks, that is up to $23,530 in total benefits.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in New Jersey?
New Jersey pays benefits for 20 to 26 weeks; the exact number depends on your base-period wages and, in some states, the state unemployment rate.
How much unemployment will I get in New Jersey?
Your weekly benefit is roughly half your usual gross weekly pay, subject to the New Jersey minimum of $186 and maximum of $905. For example, on $1,000 a week the estimate is about $500.00. This is an estimate; New Jersey sets your exact amount from your base-period wage history.
Is this the exact unemployment amount I will receive?
No. The minimum, maximum, and weeks shown are the official 2026 figures, but the weekly amount here is an estimate (about 50% wage replacement, which matches the common "one twenty-sixth of high-quarter wages" rule). Your state agency computes the exact figure from your reported wages, and eligibility rules apply.
Official sources
- New Jersey unemployment weekly benefit and duration (tax year 2026): U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Unemployment Insurance, as at Jul 15, 2026.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 July 2026. See our methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice; file your claim with your state agency.