Which states have an unemployment waiting week

In some states the first week of a claim is not paid. This table shows which states have that waiting week.

A waiting week is a week you qualify for but are not paid. You still need to file for that week.

Sort
StateWaiting weekWhat the state says
Yes
The first week of your claim is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
All new claims have an unpaid waiting week: the first week you are eligible.
Yes
Your first eligible week of unemployment is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Your first eligible week is a waiting week.
Yes
You serve one unpaid waiting week before payments start.
No
Colorado has no unpaid waiting week for new claims with an effective date of July 6, 2025 or later.
No
Connecticut does not have an unpaid waiting week.
No
Delaware has no unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Since September 5, 2021, DC law requires a one-week unpaid waiting period.
Yes
The first week you are eligible is an unpaid waiting week.
No
GDOL's claimant handbook does not list an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Everyone must serve one unpaid waiting week, usually the first week of the benefit year.
Yes
Every claimant must serve one unpaid waiting week each benefit year.
Yes
You must serve one unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Indiana law requires a one-week unpaid waiting period.
No
Iowa does not have an unpaid waiting week.
Not covered yet
Yes
Every new claim serves one waiting week: no benefits are paid for the first week you are eligible, and you must request benefits for that week for it to count.
Yes
The first week after your claim starts is usually your waiting week.
Yes
The first eligible week you claim is a waiting week, and no payment is made for it.
No
Maryland does not have an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week you file a weekly claim is an unpaid waiting week.
No
Michigan does not have an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week you are eligible is your nonpayable week.
Yes
The first eligible week you claim is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Your first eligible week is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week you are eligible is your waiting week.
Yes
The first week after you file is an unpaid waiting week.
Not covered yet
Not covered yet
No
New Jersey has no unpaid waiting week for claims that began on or after January 1, 2002.
Not covered yet
Yes
Your first effective week of unemployment is an unpaid waiting period.
Yes
North Carolina law requires an unpaid waiting week for each claim.
Yes
You serve one waiting week per benefit year and are never paid for it.
Yes
There is one unpaid waiting week per benefit year.
Yes
You must serve a one-week waiting period.
Yes
The first week you file a weekly claim and meet all requirements is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week you are unemployed and otherwise eligible is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
You serve one unpaid waiting period of 7 days, starting on the Sunday of the week you file.
Yes
Before any benefits are paid, you must serve one unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week of your claim is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
If your claim is approved, the first week you certify for is a waiting week.
Yes
TWC holds the benefits for your first payable week as a waiting week.
Yes
Utah law says you are not paid for the first eligible week you claim.
See the state page
Yes
The first week of your claim is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first week you file a claim and meet all weekly requirements is your unpaid waiting week.
Yes
The first payable week of your claim is an unpaid waiting week.
Yes
Wisconsin has a waiting week.
No
Wyoming does not have an unpaid waiting week; benefits begin the week you file.

How many weeks does each state pay?

Weeks of benefits by state