2026 rules

Unemployment and benefits calculator for the US

How much you get if you lose your job, have a baby, fall ill or raise children, with the 2026 rules that apply in the US.

Quick answerIn the US, with a monthly gross salary of 6,000 USD and 10 years of work: unemployment benefit 450 USD per week, duration 26 weeks (6 months), maternity or parental pay 969.23 USD per week, duration 18 weeks, sick pay for 30 days 3,185 USD in total, and child benefit for two children up to 4,400 USD per year.

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Estimate with the 2026 rules. The official amount is decided by the institution that pays it.

In the US unemployment insurance, paid family leave and disability insurance are run by each state, so the amounts differ a lot. Choose your state in the calculator. The Child Tax Credit is federal and paid through your tax return.

Unemployment benefit in the US

  • Most states pay about half of your previous weekly wage, worked out from your highest earning quarter, up to a state maximum, usually after a one week waiting period.
  • In 2026 the maximum weekly benefit is 450 USD in California, 869 USD in New York, about 591 USD in Texas, 275 USD in Florida, 748 USD in Illinois and about 605 USD in Pennsylvania.
  • Benefits usually last up to 26 weeks. Florida pays only 12 to 23 weeks depending on the state unemployment rate. Benefits are taxable.
Unemployment: Calculator

Maternity and parental leave in the US

  • Federal FMLA gives 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave if your employer has 50 or more staff and you have worked 1,250 hours in the last year.
  • Some states pay family leave: California 8 weeks at 70% to 90% of wages up to 1,765 USD a week, plus pregnancy disability, New York 12 weeks at 67% up to 1,228.53 USD, New Jersey 12 weeks at 85% up to 1,119 USD, Washington and Massachusetts 12 weeks.
  • Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania have no state paid family leave, so pay depends on your employer.
Maternity / parental: Calculator

Sick pay in the US

  • There is no federal paid sick leave. Many states require employers to give paid sick days, often 40 to 56 hours a year.
  • California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Hawaii have state disability insurance. California pays 70% to 90% of wages up to 1,765 USD a week after 7 days, for up to 52 weeks.
  • New York disability benefits pay 50% of wages, at most 170 USD a week, for up to 26 weeks.
Sick pay: Calculator

Child benefit in the US

  • The Child Tax Credit for 2026 is 2,200 USD per child under 17, claimed on your tax return.
  • Up to 1,700 USD per child is refundable, so you can get it even if you owe no tax, if you have earned income above 2,500 USD.
  • It phases out by 50 USD for every 1,000 USD of income above 200,000 USD, or 400,000 USD for married couples filing jointly.
Child benefit: Calculator

Before you apply: five things people often miss

1

Apply on time

Most benefits have a deadline, often 30 days after the job ends or after the birth. Applying late can mean losing months of money that you cannot claim back.

2

Quitting is not the same as being dismissed

In most countries you get no unemployment benefit, or get it later, if you resign or agree to leave. Before you sign a termination agreement, check what it means for your benefit.

3

Your insurance record decides everything

Duration and amount depend on how many months you paid contributions and on what salary. Check that your employer reported you correctly before you apply.

4

Gross, net and taxes

Some benefits are paid gross and are taxed, others are tax free. The calculator shows the amount the rules describe. The money you see in your account can be lower.

5

Combine benefits the smart way

Sick leave, maternity leave and unemployment usually cannot be paid for the same days. The order in which you claim them can change how much you receive in total.

Examples by salary

Ten years of work, age 35, first child, 30 days of sick leave, 2026 rules.

Monthly salaryUnemploymentMaternity or parentalSick pay, 30 days
3,600 USD415.38 USD per week747.69 USD per week2,457 USD
6,000 USD450 USD per week969.23 USD per week3,185 USD
9,600 USD450 USD per week1,551 USD per week5,095 USD

Frequently asked questions

Do I get unemployment benefit if I quit my job in the US?

Usually no. If you quit without good cause connected to the work, most states deny unemployment benefits. Being laid off or let go for reasons other than misconduct does qualify.

Where do I apply in the US?

Unemployment: your state workforce agency, for example EDD in California or NYSDOL in New York, online in the first week. Paid family leave and disability: the state program. Child Tax Credit: your federal tax return.

Is this an official decision?

No. MyBenefitKit is an informational calculator. The institution that pays the benefit decides the exact amount from your full insurance record. Use the result to plan and to check the decision you receive.

Sources and disclaimer

This page is informational. The rules and amounts are based on laws and official publications valid in October 2026 and simplified for the calculator. Individual cases, collective agreements and regional rules can change the result.

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