When Do Unemployment Benefits Get Deposited? Answers by State

Unemployment payment schedules vary by state. Your state may pay benefits weekly, bi-weekly, or use a combination of weekly and bi-weekly disbursements depending on the applicant.

Regardless of how often your state disburses benefits, you must file a claim or certification online or by phone before you receive your unemployment payment for each period. (For example, if your state pays weekly, you’ll need to get certified each week to verify that you are still eligible for benefits.)

When it comes to unemployment payment methods, most states allow you to either set up a direct deposit to your bank account or receive a prepaid debit card specifically for your unemployment benefits. Some states offer paper checks as an option as well or may mail a paper check for the first unemployment disbursement while your direct deposit or debit card is being set up.

For unemployment payment deposit details listed by state, see below.

Unemployment Benefit Deposits by State

We viewed official unemployment documentation from Departments of Labor in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to compile the payment details for each state. Find the payment frequency, time frame, and method of each state’s unemployment payment in the table below. You can sort the table by selecting the arrows at the top of each column. You can also select any state to be taken to the most relevant page on its Department of Labor’s website.

Note that none of the states have a set deposit time for bank accounts or prepaid cards (such as midnight or 8 a.m.); the deposit time will vary depending on when you complete your weekly or bi-weekly reporting and how fast the department is able to process your disbursement.