How is the Maine weekly benefit amount calculated?

Maine computes your weekly benefit as 1/44 of your two highest-earning quarters combined, clamped between the state minimum of $113 and maximum of $649. The calculator on this page runs that exact published formula and shows every step of the math.

How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Maine?

Up to 26 weeks. Federal extensions, when active, add weeks on top of the state maximum; Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation announces them on its site.

Can I work part-time and still get benefits in Maine?

Yes — Maine has a partial-benefit rule: part of your weekly earnings is disregarded and the rest reduces your benefit, and the partial-benefit calculator on this page applies the state formula to your numbers. You must still report all gross earnings for the week when you certify.

Do I qualify for unemployment in Maine?

FAQ: monetarily eligible means 'you have sufficient qualifying wages spread over a minimum of two (2) calendar quarters'; the FAQ does not publish the dollar thresholds - they appear on the monetary determination. Monetary eligibility is only half of it: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation also decides whether the separation itself qualifies, and it is the only body that can make that determination.

Does severance pay affect unemployment benefits in Maine?

FAQ: 'Under certain conditions, termination or separation pay, bonus pay, and pensions are deducted.' This is an estimate-only summary of the agency's published rule — report any severance when you file and Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation will apply it to your claim.

Maine Unemployment Calculator 2026

Maine pays $113–$649 per week for up to 26 weeks in 2026. Your weekly benefit amount is 1/44 of your two highest-earning quarters combined. Enter your quarterly wages below to estimate it — the math runs entirely in your browser, from figures verified against Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

Works offline — your inputs never leave this device. How that works

Enter your gross wages for each quarter of the base period — roughly the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Your state's exact window is shown with the result.

Quarter 1 wages$Quarter 2 wages$Quarter 3 wages$Quarter 4 wages$

Dependents you can claimThis state adds a dependents allowance — see the education panel for who counts.

Estimated weekly benefit$409

State minimum / maximum$113 – $649

Maximum duration26 weeks

Maximum total benefits(if you claim every eligible week)$10,634

Base period: First four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the benefit year. (an alternate base period is available if you don’t qualify with the standard one).

File your claim with Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation — only the agency determines your actual benefit.

Verified 2026-07-31 against Maine DOL - Unemployment Claims FAQ (rates for claims filed 6/1/2026-5/31/2027) (effective 2026-06-01)

Estimate only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Only Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation can determine your actual amounts.

Official source: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation — file a claim ↗

Working part-time? Partial benefits

Maine disregards part of what you earn in a week before reducing your benefit. Estimate what a part-time week leaves you with:

Your weekly benefit amount (WBA)$From your monetary determination letter, or estimate it with the weekly benefit calculator.Gross earnings this week$Before taxes, for the week you are certifying.

Benefit payable this week$378

Earnings disregarded$128

Benefit reduction$22

Earnings cutoff for any benefit$400

Disregard: flat $128.00
Countable earnings: $150.00 − $128.00 = $22.00
Payable: WBA $400.00 − $22.00 = $378.00

How dependants change the Maine benefit

FAQ, verbatim: the maximum is '$649.00 (plus $25 per dependent per week, and can total no more than seventy-five percent [75%] of the WBA)'.

How long benefits can last

Up to 26 weeks.

Who qualifies for benefits in Maine

FAQ: monetarily eligible means 'you have sufficient qualifying wages spread over a minimum of two (2) calendar quarters'; the FAQ does not publish the dollar thresholds - they appear on the monetary determination.

Meeting the wage test is not the same as being approved: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation also rules on the reason for the separation and on your availability for work each week. File with Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation ↗

Base period in Maine

First four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the benefit year.. An alternate base period is available if you don’t qualify with the standard window. 'We will use the last four completed quarters if you are not eligible using the regular base period quarters.'

See which quarters count for your filing date →

Severance and your claim

FAQ: 'Under certain conditions, termination or separation pay, bonus pay, and pensions are deducted.'

Source: Maine DOL - Unemployment Claims FAQ (rates for claims filed 6/1/2026-5/31/2027) (verified 2026-07-31).

Maine unemployment: frequently asked questions

Maine pays between $113 and $649 per week in 2026. Your amount is 1/44 of your two highest-earning quarters combined, and only Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation can determine it officially. These figures were verified against the agency's own publication on 2026-07-31.

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🧭Maine Unemployment Calculator 2026