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Minnesota Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administers unemployment insurance under Minn. Stat. §268.07, guaranteeing a weekly benefit equal to 50% of your average weekly wage, but never less than $40 and never more than $948.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Total base-period earnings divided by the weeks you worked, before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED) — Minn. Stat. § 268.07; Minnesota DEED.

How Minnesota calculates it

  • Determine your average weekly wage during the base period.
  • Multiply that wage by 50%.
  • If the result is below $40, set the weekly benefit to $40.
  • If the result exceeds $948, cap the weekly benefit at $948.
  • Pay the final weekly amount for up to 26 weeks.
  • The $948 cap applies to benefit accounts opened since late October 2025 and resets each October.

Worked example

An average weekly wage of $1,400: 50% × $1,400 = $700 — a weekly benefit of $700 for up to 26 weeks ($18,200 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I receive in Minnesota?

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks, as set by Minn. Stat. §268.07.

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Minnesota as of 2026?

The maximum is $948 per week for benefit accounts established since late October 2025; the cap is reviewed each October.

What is the minimum weekly unemployment benefit in Minnesota?

The benefit will never be lower than $40 per week.

How is my weekly benefit amount calculated?

First, compute your average weekly wage for the base period. Then take 50% of that wage. If the result is below $40, the benefit is $40; if it exceeds $948, the benefit is capped at $948. The final figure is paid each week for up to 26 weeks.

If my average weekly wage is $1,400, what will my benefit be?

Using the formula, 50% of $1,400 equals $700, which falls between the $40 minimum and $948 maximum, so the weekly benefit is $700 for up to 26 weeks, totaling $18,200 if the full period is drawn.

Is the calculation different in Minneapolis, St. Paul or Rochester?

No. Benefits are set by the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (DEED) under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Minnesota. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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