How much unemployment will I get if I make $1,000 a week - DUA benefit calculation help

For DUA in Massachusetts, your weekly benefit amount is calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage during your base period, up to the state maximum. With $1,000 weekly earnings, you'd likely get around $500 per week, but it depends on your base period wages. The current maximum weekly benefit is $1,015 in 2025.

Just remember they use your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you haven't been making $1,000/week for that entire period, your benefit could be lower. You can check your wage history on the DUA website to get a better estimate.

The DUA phone system is impossible to get through when you need clarification on benefit amounts. I spent weeks trying to reach someone about my calculation. If you need to actually talk to a DUA agent, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/ok4BhTU0_EI showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

dont forget about taxes too!! unemployment benefits are taxable income so that $500 wont be the full amount you actually get

I was in a similar situation last year and ended up getting less than expected because my previous job paid way less. The base period calculation really matters - don't just assume it'll be 50% of your current wage.

The base period calculation can definitely be tricky to understand. Since you mentioned you've been at this $1,000/week rate for 8 months, you'll want to check if that covers most of your base period quarters. Massachusetts DUA also has an online benefit calculator on their website that can give you a rough estimate based on your actual wage history. Just keep in mind that if you qualify for the maximum weekly benefit amount, there might be a waiting period before payments start, and you'll need to meet all the eligibility requirements like being available for work and actively seeking employment.