Unemployment Benefits Estimator — Mississippi

Unemployment Benefits Estimator in Mississippi

Mississippi divides high-quarter wages by 26 and rounds down, between a $30 floor and the $235 cap — a ceiling reached at high-quarter earnings of about $6,100, meaning most full-time workers hit it. Total benefits are the lesser of 26 weekly payments or a third of base-period wages, so the practical range runs 13 to 26 weeks depending on how your earnings were spread. One unpaid waiting week applies. With a weekly maximum this low, applying for food assistance alongside the claim usually matters more than the unemployment arithmetic: Mississippi does not use broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP, so the standard 130% FPL gross income limit applies. File at https://mdes.ms.gov/

Unemployment Benefits in Mississippi: Weekly Amounts and How Long They Last

Mississippi pays a weekly unemployment benefit of between $30 and $235. Those are the statutory floor and ceiling, not an estimate of what you personally would receive: your weekly benefit amount is calculated from the wages in your base period, and the maximum is reached only if those wages were high enough. Mississippi computes it this way — High-quarter wages divided by 26, rounded down to the next lower dollar, subject to a $30 floor and a $235 ceiling.

• Weekly benefit range: $30 to $235
• Weeks payable: up to 26 weeks; the payable range runs 13 to 26 weeks, because lower base-period earnings exhaust a claim sooner
• Waiting week: yes — the first otherwise-payable week is unpaid, and you generally still have to file a weekly claim for it

How Mississippi decides how many weeks you get: Maximum benefit amount is the lesser of 26 x the weekly benefit amount or one-third of total base-period wages, so lower earners get fewer than 26 weeks (US DOL shows a 13-26 week range).

Source and date: these Mississippi figures were verified on August 2, 2026 against Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Form UI-505.A 'Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts and Maximum Amounts' (linked from mdes.ms.gov Weekly Benefit Amounts page); MDES Unemployment FAQs (waiting week, 26 x WBA maximum). Benefit amounts and durations change — many states re-index once a year, and some change duration as the state unemployment rate moves — so check the agency link before relying on a figure. Only your monetary determination letter states your own weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you can actually be paid.

SNAP Benefits in Mississippi

Mississippi follows standard SNAP income limits at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a household of 4 in Mississippi is $975. You can apply online at https://mdhs.ms.gov or by calling 211.

Medicaid in Mississippi

Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid (State Medicaid). This state has not expanded Medicaid Apply at https://medicaid.ms.gov/.

Mississippi Wage Information

The minimum wage in Mississippi is $7.25/hour ($2.13/hour for tipped workers). The median household income is $52,719. Mississippi has a state income tax with a top rate of 4.4%.

Tenant Rights in Mississippi

Mississippi requires landlords to give 3 days notice for nonpayment of rent before filing for eviction. The typical eviction process takes approximately 21 days. Free legal aid is available at https://www.mslegalservices.org/.

Rent in Mississippi

The median rent in Mississippi is approximately $804/month for a 1-bedroom and $903/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Mississippi does not have rent control.

Important Notes for Mississippi Residents

The data shown above is based on publicly available information and is updated regularly. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and legal requirements can change. Always verify current information with your local Mississippi agencies before making important decisions. This calculator provides estimates — not guaranteed outcomes.