Unemployment insurance eligibility

Find out if you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

If you recently lost your job or your hours were significantly reduced through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance. You may qualify for up to $1,051 a week for up to 30 weeks.

Am I eligible for unemployment?

You should apply for unemployment benefits if you: 

• Lost your job through no fault of your own
• Are working significantly reduced hours through no fault of your own
• Earned at least $6,300 over the last 12 months
• Are authorized to work in the United States
• Earned income in Massachusetts
• Are able, available, and actively looking for work

Somes types of income can't be used to establish an unemployment claim, including income from:

• Nonprofit or religious organizations
• State or federal work training programs, for example, YouthWorks or Job Corps
• Real estate or insurance commissions
• Independent contracting or consulting
• Self-employment
• Work study programs for students
• Being an elected official
• Being a member of a legislative or judiciary body
• Certified Seasonal employment

If you’re not sure about your eligibility, you should still apply for benefits.

Unemployment benefits calculator  Apply for unemployment benefits online 

How to stay eligible

After your application is approved, you need to:

• File a claim each week that you need to receive benefits
• Certify you're able to work, available to work, and actively looking for work
• Participate in the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program

Situations that may change your eligibility

Your benefits may change if the following situations apply to you. If you’re not sure, you should file your weekly claim as usual.

Receiving other income

You may still be eligible for benefits depending on how much and what type of income you receive.

Full-time work

You can't collect benefits if you start working full time. You should stop filing a weekly claim the week you start working full time.

Part-time work

• You can collect benefits if you work part time (including work for rideshare or meal delivery apps). Report this income when you file your weekly claim.
• On weeks you work, income that exceeds 1/3 of your weekly benefit amount will be taken out of your payment for that week. For example, if your weekly benefit is usually $300, and you make $105 in a week, your benefit payment will be $295 that week.

Self-employment

You may still be eligible for benefits if you start earning income from self-employment. You should report this income when you file your weekly claim.

Working while receiving unemployment 

Other types of income 

• Income from severance, vacation time, sick time, and pensions may impact your benefit amount. Report this income when you apply.
• Alimony and investment income generally do not impact your benefit amount. Report this income when you apply.
• Social security income does not impact your benefit amount. You do not need to report it when you apply.

Refusing suitable work

If you limit your working hours or refuse work, you may not be able to collect benefits. 

Going to school full time 

Generally, full-time students are not eligible for unemployment benefits. You may be able to collect benefits if you meet program requirements for the Training Opportunities Program (TOP) 

Travel

For work

• You can collect benefits while traveling for work-related activities. For example, traveling out of state for an interview.
• If you travel for work, file your weekly claim as usual.

Personal travel 

• You can't collect benefits while traveling for non-work reasons. For example, going on vacation out of state.
• You do not need to file a weekly claim while you're traveling. If you do not file for 3 weeks in a row, your unemployment claim will be closed. You can reopen your claim if needed.

Travel outside the United States 

• You can't collect benefits while traveling outside the U.S., U.S. territories, or Canada, even if you're traveling for work.
• You do not need to file a weekly claim while you’re traveling. If you do not file for 3 weeks in a row, your unemployment claim will be closed. You can reopen your claim if needed.