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By Moira Herbst
U.S. Unemployment by the Numbers
Unemployment rates—and benefits that are offered to unemployed workers—vary greatly from state to state. The national unemployment rate was 7.2% as of December, with the average weekly benefit check currently about $293. About 38% of the jobless receive benefits. When calculating maximum weekly earnings, states offer a certain percentage of the applicant's average weekly wage. Some states also use a formula designed to help low-wage workers collect more benefits than they would with a standard calculation. These formulas account for ranges in weekly benefit maximums. See how your state stacks up.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Labor Dept.