Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Tennessee

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

up to $325

Maximum: the current maximum listed by TDLWD (October 2026)

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your wages in your two highest-paid base-period quarters. The most you can get is $325 a week. Your Monetary Determination shows your weekly amount and number of weeks.

Official

Official table or notice

The wage test

You must have earned an average of $780.01 in each of your 2 highest base-period quarters. Your wages outside your highest quarter must be at least $900 or 6 times your weekly benefit amount, whichever is less, and your total base-period wages must be more than 40 times your weekly benefit amount.

Your base period is the first four of the last five full calendar quarters before the quarter you file. If you do not have enough wages, the last four full quarters can be used.

The state's wage tests

• Average of $780.01 in your 2 highest quarters, wages outside the highest quarter at least the lesser of $900 or 6 x WBA, and total wages more than 40 x WBA — Average of at least $780.01 in each of your 2 highest quarters; wages outside the highest quarter at least $900 or 6 times your weekly benefit amount, whichever is less

Official source: Source page

How long it lasts

Currently 12 weeks (it changes with the unemployment rate).

You can get up to 12 weeks of benefits in your benefit year. Your Monetary Determination tells you how many weeks you will get. Do not confuse the one-year benefit year with the number of weeks you can be paid.

The number of weeks depends on Tennessee's state average unemployment rate. At today's low rate the maximum is 12 weeks; one more week is added for each half-point rise in the rate. TDLWD says the maximum you can draw in Tennessee is currently 12 weeks.

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

If your claim is approved, the first week you certify for is a waiting week. It is not paid unless you certify for and are eligible for four weeks in a row; then, with your fourth week, you get a double payment covering the waiting week and the fourth week.

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can earn $50 or 25% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is more, without your benefit going down. Earnings above that reduce your payment. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you get nothing for that week. Report all earnings for the week you earned them, even if they are below the allowance.

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 1-844-224-5818. Legal aid and other free help in Tennessee → Official sources →