Weekly benefit amount and weeks in North Dakota

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

$43–$800

Maximum: claims in the benefit schedule of July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027

How it is figured

Add your wages from your two highest-paid quarters plus half of your third highest quarter, then divide by 65 and round down to the dollar. For claims from July 5, 2026 to July 3, 2027, the weekly benefit is $43 to $800. The minimum and maximum can change each July.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: N.D.C.C. sec. 52-06-04(1)

The wage test

You must have wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and your total base-period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. Your figured weekly benefit must also be at least $43; if it is less, you are not monetarily eligible.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the effective date of your claim.

The state's wage tests

• Wages in at least 2 quarters, total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter, and a weekly benefit of at least $43 — The weekly benefit figured from your wages (the two highest quarters plus half of the third highest, divided by 65) must be at least $43; that takes at least $2,795.

Law: N.D.C.C. sec. 52-06-04(1)(b), (2)

Official source: Source page

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

The number of weeks (12 to 26) depends on your total base-period wages divided by your highest quarter: a ratio of 1.50 to 2.29 gives 12 weeks; 2.30 to 2.44, 14; 2.45 to 2.59, 16; 2.60 to 2.74, 18; 2.75 to 2.89, 20; 2.90 to 3.04, 22; 3.05 to 3.19, 24; 3.20 or more, 26. Your total benefits are your weekly benefit times that number of weeks. If your payments are reduced by earnings, they can stretch over more weeks, but never above that total.

Law: N.D.C.C. sec. 52-06-05

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

You serve one waiting week per benefit year and are never paid for it. It is the first week you certify in which you work less than full time, earn less than your weekly benefit amount and meet all the rules. You must still certify for it and make your job contacts.

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can earn up to 60% of your weekly benefit amount without lowering your payment. Every dollar above 60% is subtracted dollar for dollar. If you earn as much as your weekly benefit amount or more, you get no payment that week. You must work all hours available to you.

Earnings not deducted (as the data states it)

An amount equal to 60% of your weekly benefit amount is not deducted.

Law: N.D.C.C. sec. 52-06-06

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

Call 701-328-4995. Legal aid and other free help in North Dakota → Official sources →