Unemployment benefits in New Jersey
New Jersey's maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $905.
| Minimum weekly benefit | not confirmed |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $905 |
| Maximum duration | 26 weeks |
How the weekly benefit is calculated
60% of your average weekly wage during the base year, capped at the maximum.
No published minimum weekly benefit — NJDOL states a $310-over-20-weeks earnings eligibility threshold instead, which is not the same thing as a WBA floor.
Sources
- NJ Dept. of Labor — new benefit rates effective January 1, 2026, read 2026-08-23.
- NJ Dept. of Labor — how your benefit is calculated, read 2026-08-23.
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New Jersey unemployment: common questions
How much is unemployment in New Jersey?
60% of your average weekly wage during the base year, capped at the maximum. The maximum is $905. No published minimum weekly benefit — NJDOL states a $310-over-20-weeks earnings eligibility threshold instead, which is not the same thing as a WBA floor.
How long do unemployment benefits last in New Jersey?
Up to 26 weeks, the standard duration most states pay.
What wages count toward my benefit?
The standard base period: your wages in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.
What is the maximum weekly unemployment payment in New Jersey?
$905 a week is the most New Jersey pays, before any deductions you elect such as tax withholding or child support. Most claimants receive less, because the weekly amount is calculated from your own base-period wages: 60% of your average weekly wage during the base year, capped at the maximum.
What day does unemployment pay in New Jersey?
This page does not model payment dates. Timing is set by New Jersey's own unemployment agency rather than by the benefit formula, and normally depends on when your weekly or biweekly claim is filed and processed rather than on a fixed calendar day. What this page does model is how much you are owed and for how long, both traced to the sources listed below.
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