How long benefits last
Your maximum benefit amount is the number of weeks you worked in the base period, up to 26, times your weekly benefit rate.
New Jersey Unemployment Benefits 2026
What New Jersey unemployment insurance pays each week, how the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) works out your benefit, how long it lasts, how it is taxed, and where to apply.
New Jersey unemployment at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $905 |
|---|---|
| Maximum duration | Up to 26 weeks |
| Waiting week | No unpaid waiting week |
| Federal income tax | Taxable |
| New Jersey income tax | Not taxed |
The 2026 maximum; NJDOL resets it each January 1 from the statewide average weekly wage.
How the weekly benefit is calculated
NJDOL pays 60% of the average weekly wage you earned in the base year, up to the maximum. Dependency benefits can raise a rate that is below the maximum.
The unemployment benefits calculator models California, Texas, New York, Florida and Ohio; for New Jersey, use the rules above or the agency's own estimate.
Waiting week
New Jersey has no waiting week: the statute's one-week waiting period does not apply to benefit years starting on or after January 1, 2002.
Is New Jersey unemployment taxable?
State: New Jersey does not tax unemployment compensation: the Division of Taxation lists it as exempt (nontaxable) income that should not be included on a New Jersey return.
Federal: Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
Federal tax is withheld only if you ask for it, so a year of benefits can leave a tax bill: the quarterly estimated tax calculator shows what to set aside.
How to apply
File your claim with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). The notice it sends you with your weekly benefit amount is the official figure for your claim.
Apply with NJDOL →Frequently asked questions
How much does New Jersey unemployment pay per week?
New Jersey pays up to $905 a week. The 2026 maximum; NJDOL resets it each January 1 from the statewide average weekly wage. NJDOL pays 60% of the average weekly wage you earned in the base year, up to the maximum. Dependency benefits can raise a rate that is below the maximum.
How long can you collect unemployment in New Jersey?
Your maximum benefit amount is the number of weeks you worked in the base period, up to 26, times your weekly benefit rate.
Does New Jersey have a waiting week for unemployment?
New Jersey has no waiting week: the statute's one-week waiting period does not apply to benefit years starting on or after January 1, 2002.
Is unemployment taxable in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not tax unemployment compensation: the Division of Taxation lists it as exempt (nontaxable) income that should not be included on a New Jersey return. Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
How do I apply for unemployment in New Jersey?
Apply with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), the agency that decides your claim and pays benefits. Its notice of your benefit amount is the official figure.
Unemployment benefits in other states
California Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Texas Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Florida Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New York Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Ohio Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Georgia Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Michigan Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Washington Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Sources
Related Calculators
Unemployment Benefits Calculator
Estimate weekly UI benefits for CA, TX, NY, FL, OH — plus a PA reference
Severance Tax Calculator
Supplemental wage withholding, FICA, state tax on separation pay
Quarterly Estimated Tax
Four installments (4/15, 6/15, 9/15, 1/15), safe harbor 90%/100%
State Income Tax
All 50-state brackets, credits, deductions for your filing status