StateTally

Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) administers unemployment benefits under Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-7-301, where the weekly maximum of $275 has been frozen since 2006, making it one of the lowest caps in the nation.

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

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-7-301; TDLWD.

How Tennessee calculates it

  • Identify your two highest‑earning quarters of wages.
  • Add the wages from those two quarters together.
  • Divide the sum by 52 (equivalent to the average of the two quarters divided by 26).
  • If the result is below $30, the weekly benefit is set to $30; if it exceeds $275, the weekly benefit is capped at $275.
  • The weekly benefit, once determined, can be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks.

Worked example

With quarters of $9,000 and $8,000, the calculation ($9,000 + $8,000) ÷ 52 = $327, adjusted to the $275 bound — a weekly benefit of $275 for up to 26 weeks ($7,150 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

What is the weekly maximum unemployment benefit in Tennessee?

The weekly maximum is $275, and it has been frozen at that level since 2006.

How many weeks can I receive unemployment benefits in Tennessee?

Benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks.

Are unemployment benefits taxed by the state of Tennessee?

Tennessee does not have a state income tax, so unemployment benefits are not taxed at the state level, though they remain federally taxable.

What is the minimum weekly benefit amount I could receive?

The state minimum weekly benefit is $30.

Has the weekly benefit amount changed recently?

No. The $275 weekly maximum has not increased since 2006, making it unchanged for two decades.

Is the calculation different in Nashville, Memphis or Knoxville?

No. Benefits are set by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Tennessee. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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StateTally. (2026). Tennessee Unemployment Calculator 2026: up to $275/week. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://statetally.com/unemployment/tennessee/