United States · unemployment insurance
Unemployment waiting week by state.
Find out whether your state makes you wait a week before benefits start, and which week is your first payable one. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.
Published rule, not a payment date
The table is the Department of Labor 2023 comparison, the latest edition on its site. States change these rules, and your agency sets payment dates. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Your state
Waiting week
How it works
In most states you must serve a waiting week: the first week you are otherwise eligible, for which no benefit is payable. DOL's 2023 table shows 8 jurisdictions with no initial waiting period (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey and Wyoming). The other 45 require one week. Some pay it back later: Texas after you have received 3 times your weekly benefit, Tennessee after 3 consecutive compensable weeks, and Kentucky and Missouri when the remaining claim balance is no more than the waiting-week amount. Nevada's entry reads "later of one week or when any issues preventing payment are resolved and initial payment made."
The date box assumes the first eligible week is the waiting week, so the first week you can be paid for ends seven days later. Your state defines the benefit week and sets when payments are issued, so treat the date as an estimate.
| State | Waiting period | Becomes compensable after (DOL) | May be waived |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 week | — | — |
| Alaska | 1 week | — | — |
| Arizona | 1 week | — | — |
| Arkansas | 1 week | — | — |
| California | 1 week | — | During a state of war emergency or a state of emergency if the waiting period would hinder or delay the mitigation of its effects (for example a natural disaster). |
| Colorado | 1 week | — | — |
| Connecticut | None | — | — |
| Delaware | None | — | — |
| District of Columbia | 1 week | — | — |
| Florida | 1 week | — | — |
| Georgia | None | — | — |
| Hawaii | 1 week | — | — |
| Idaho | 1 week | — | — |
| Illinois | 1 week | — | — |
| Indiana | 1 week | — | If you become unemployed because the employer ended business operations in the state, declared bankruptcy, or began a workforce reduction under the federal WARN Act. |
| Iowa | None | — | — |
| Kansas | 1 week | — | If you become unemployed because the employer ended business operations in the state, declared bankruptcy, or made a workforce reduction subject to the federal WARN Act. |
| Kentucky | 1 week | When the remaining balance on the claim is equal to or less than the compensable amount for the waiting week | — |
| Louisiana | 1 week | — | — |
| Maine | 1 week | — | — |
| Maryland | None | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 1 week | — | DOL lists no waivers, though the authority exists and has been used before. |
| Michigan | None | — | — |
| Minnesota | 1 week | — | If you would have been entitled to Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) but have established a benefit account. |
| Mississippi | 1 week | — | In counties or areas identified for individual assistance when the President declares a major disaster under the Stafford Act. |
| Missouri | 1 week | When the remaining balance on the claim is equal to or less than the compensable amount for the waiting week | — |
| Montana | 1 week | — | — |
| Nebraska | 1 week | — | — |
| Nevada | 1 week | The later of one week or when any issues preventing payment are resolved and the initial payment is made | At the discretion of the agency. |
| New Hampshire | 1 week | — | — |
| New Jersey | None | — | — |
| New Mexico | 1 week | — | Natural disaster or extended benefit program. |
| New York | 1 week | — | At the direction of the Governor. |
| North Carolina | 1 week | — | — |
| North Dakota | 1 week | — | — |
| Ohio | 1 week | — | — |
| Oklahoma | 1 week | — | — |
| Oregon | 1 week | — | During a state of emergency declared by the Governor. |
| Pennsylvania | 1 week | — | — |
| Puerto Rico | 1 week | — | — |
| Rhode Island | 1 week | — | If you become unemployed due to a natural disaster or state of emergency. |
| South Carolina | 1 week | — | — |
| South Dakota | 1 week | — | — |
| Tennessee | 1 week | After 3 consecutive weeks of compensable unemployment immediately following the waiting period | — |
| Texas | 1 week | After you receive benefits equal to 3 x your weekly benefit amount | The Governor may waive it for people unemployed as a direct result of a presidentially declared disaster who are eligible for regular benefits and not receiving DUA for that period. |
| Utah | 1 week | — | If the department approves training for the first eligible week of the claim. |
| Vermont | 1 week | — | — |
| Virginia | 1 week | — | If your unemployment was caused by the employer ending operations, closing or declaring bankruptcy without paying final wages, when authorized by the Governor under an executive order. |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 1 week | — | — |
| Washington | 1 week | — | — |
| West Virginia | 1 week | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 1 week | — | — |
| Wyoming | None | — | — |
Sources and as-of date. U.S. Department of Labor, Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws 2023, Chapter 3, Table 3-7 (State Initial Waiting Periods), the latest edition on the DOL state UI laws page, retrieved October 2026. California, Indiana, Texas and the Virgin Islands carry footnotes about consecutive or new benefit years. The July 2026 DOL Significant Provisions summary refers readers to this chapter for waiting weeks. Confirm with your state workforce agency.
Frequently asked questions
What is a waiting week for unemployment?
It is the first week you are otherwise eligible for benefits but for which no payment is made. The U.S. Department of Labor says most states require individuals who are otherwise eligible to serve a waiting period of one week.
Which states have no waiting week for unemployment?
In the Department of Labor 2023 Comparison, the jurisdictions with no initial waiting period are Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey and Wyoming. Laws change, so check your state agency for the current rule.
Do I get paid for the waiting week later?
In most states no. DOL lists exceptions: Texas pays it after you receive benefits equal to 3 times your weekly benefit amount, Tennessee after 3 consecutive weeks of compensable unemployment, and Kentucky and Missouri when your remaining claim balance is no more than the waiting-week amount.
Can the waiting week be waived?
Sometimes. DOL lists waivers such as a declared state of emergency or natural disaster in several states, and a mass layoff, employer closure or bankruptcy in states such as Indiana, Kansas and Virginia. The table above gives the circumstances for each state.
When does my first payment arrive?
This tool only tells you which week ends first. How quickly your first payment is issued depends on your state agency, your weekly certification and any eligibility review, so it is not calculated here.
Do I serve another waiting week if I file again?
It depends on the state. DOL notes some states do not require a new waiting week in a consecutive or new benefit year, and California defers it for people in continued claim status from a prior claim. Check with your agency.