How is the Mississippi weekly benefit amount calculated?

Mississippi divides the wages in your highest base-period quarter by 26 to set your weekly benefit amount. The result is then bounded by the state minimum of $30 and the maximum of $235 per week. So your high-quarter earnings drive the figure up to the cap.

What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Mississippi?

Mississippi's maximum weekly benefit amount is $235, among the lowest in the country. Over a full 26-week claim that totals up to $6,110. The minimum weekly benefit is $30.

How long can I collect unemployment in Mississippi?

A regular Mississippi unemployment claim lasts up to 26 weeks within a benefit year. The maximum total you can receive equals your weekly benefit amount times 26, subject to the 26-week limit and continued eligibility each week.

Am I eligible for Mississippi unemployment?

To qualify you generally must have been paid wages in at least two base-period quarters, total at least about 40 times your weekly benefit amount, and have lost work through no fault of your own. You must also be able, available, and actively seeking work.

Is this estimate exact?

No. It approximates the Mississippi Department of Employment Security formula. Your actual benefit depends on your verified wage records, the reason for separation, and weekly certification, so confirm with MDES.

Mississippi Unemployment Benefit Estimator

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Mississippi sets your weekly unemployment benefit from the wages in your single highest base-period quarter. This estimator applies the state formula — high-quarter wages divided by 26, bounded by the 30 dollar minimum and 235 dollar maximum — and projects your weekly amount and total payout.

How it works

Mississippi’s weekly benefit amount (WBA) is computed from your highest-earning quarter in the base period:

WBA = high-quarter wages ÷ 26
WBA = clamp(WBA, $30, $235)

The result is rounded down to the nearest dollar and bounded by the state minimum of 30 dollars and maximum of 235 dollars. A regular claim lasts up to 26 weeks, so the maximum total benefit is:

maximum benefit = WBA × 26

To be monetarily eligible you generally need wages in at least two base-period quarters and total base-period wages of roughly 40 times your WBA. The tool flags when your entered totals fall below that threshold.

Example

If your highest quarter paid 9,000 dollars, your WBA is 9,000 ÷ 26 = about 346 dollars, which exceeds the cap, so it is set to the 235 dollar maximum. Over 26 weeks that is up to 6,110 dollars. A high quarter of 4,000 dollars yields 4,000 ÷ 26 = about 153 dollars per week.

Notes

Estimate only. Mississippi’s 235 dollar maximum is one of the lowest in the United States. Benefits may be reduced by part-time earnings, and you must certify each week that you are able, available, and seeking work. Confirm with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).