AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Department of Labor has announced that the maximum weekly benefit amount for the state unemployment program in effect from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, will rise from $573 to $595.
The maximum weekly benefit amount is set each year as a percentage of the average weekly wage, in accordance with MRSA §1191, sub-§2, the state said in a release Monday.
Maine’s average weekly wage in covered employment increased from $1,103.71 to $1,144.67, an increase of 3.7%. The increase in the average weekly wage leads to a subsequent increase in the maximum weekly benefit amount, the release stated.
Claimants filing for a new benefit year on June 1 or later will have their weekly benefit amount range between $104 and $595 per week. The current benefit amount, based on the 2022 average weekly wage, ranges from $100 to $573.
Those who already have an active unemployment claim will not see a difference in their claim. This is for new claims filed on or after June 1, according to the state.
For the purposes of monetary eligibility for state unemployment benefits, the minimum qualifying wage requirements effective from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 are as follows:
- Quarterly wage requirement in each of two different quarters (two times the annual average weekly wage) is $2,289.34
- Total base period wage requirement (six times the annual average weekly wage) is $6,868.02.
For more information on the unemployment insurance program, click here.