StateTally

New Jersey Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

New Jersey’s Department of Labor, under N.J.S.A. 43:21‑3, sets the weekly unemployment benefit at 60% of your average weekly wage, but never more than $905 per week for 2026 claims—a rise from $875 last year—and the state does not impose a waiting week.

Reviewed 2026-08-27 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice. · Ver esta página en español

Total base-period earnings divided by the number of base weeks worked, before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: New Jersey Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance — N.J.S.A. 43:21-3; NJ DOL.

How New Jersey calculates it

  • Determine your average weekly wage for the base period.
  • Multiply that wage by 60% to get the provisional weekly benefit.
  • If the result exceeds $905, the benefit is capped at $905 per week (the 2026 maximum).
  • The benefit can be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks.
  • New Jersey does not require a waiting week before benefits begin.
  • The $905 cap is set each January based on the statewide average weekly wage.

Worked example

An average weekly wage of $1,200: 60% × $1,200 = $720 — a weekly benefit of $720 for up to 26 weeks ($18,720 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

How much can I receive per week in New Jersey unemployment benefits in 2026?

You can receive up to $905 per week, calculated as 60% of your average weekly wage but never exceeding the $905 cap.

Do I have to serve a waiting week before getting benefits in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey has no waiting week, so benefits can start as soon as your claim is approved.

Are unemployment benefits taxable in New Jersey?

Yes. NJ unemployment benefits are subject to federal income tax and are also taxable for New Jersey state income tax unless you qualify for an exemption.

What if my 60% calculation is lower than the $905 maximum—do I get the lower amount?

You receive the 60% amount if it is below the $905 cap; the cap only limits higher calculations.

How many weeks can I collect benefits and has that changed recently?

Benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks, and that duration has remained the same. The weekly maximum increased from $875 in 2025 to $905 in 2026.

Is the calculation different in Newark, Jersey City or Paterson?

No. Benefits are set by the New Jersey Department of Labor under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Newark, Jersey City, Paterson is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in New Jersey. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

Embed this calculator

Attorneys, HR teams, and publishers: add this calculator to your own site free — copy the snippet below. Keep the credit line under the calculator: it links your readers to the source and its review date.

More calculators

Guides

Cite this page

Using these figures in an article, brief or report? Copy a citation — the link keeps readers on the source and its review date.

StateTally. (2026). New Jersey Unemployment Calculator 2026: up to $905/week. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://statetally.com/unemployment/new-jersey/