When someone loses their work, the government will pay them weekly in the form of unemployment insurance, often known as unemployment benefits.
UI is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits. Each state administers a separate UI program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law.
The amount of benefits you receive will be based on your prior income since unemployment benefits are only meant to partially replace lost wages. The average weekly payment in 2020 was $378.
Basic unemployment benefits typically continue for 26 weeks, however this might differ from state to state, with some offering fewer weeks and others offering more.
If you qualify for Unemployment benefits, up to the maximum allowed by law, you will get a weekly benefit amount equal to roughly 50% of your average weekly earnings.