Minnesota Unemployment Benefits: Eligibility, Amount & How to Apply
A plain-English guide to Minnesota unemployment benefits in 2026: who qualifies, how much you can receive, how to file and request payment with DEED, and how to stay eligible by actively looking for work without spending hours on applications.
This page is general guidance, not legal or financial advice. Unemployment rules, eligibility, and benefit amounts change over time and depend on your individual situation. Always confirm the current details with your state's official unemployment agency before you rely on them.
If you are out of work in Minnesota through no fault of your own, unemployment insurance can replace part of your wages while you search for a new job. The program is run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and staying eligible means being able to work, available for work, and actively looking for it.
Here is how eligibility, benefit amounts, and the application and payment request process work, plus how to handle the part that wears people down: proving you are actively job searching. LoopCV can auto-apply to matching roles and keep a record of every application, so the search stays active and documented with little effort from you.
The Minnesota work search requirement
Minnesota does not publish a fixed number of applications per week, but to stay eligible you must be able to work, available for work, and conducting a reasonable, active search for suitable work each week you request payment. DEED can ask you to show the employers you contacted, the dates, and the outcomes, so keeping a record of your applications matters.
Meet it automatically with LoopCV
LoopCV keeps your search genuinely active: it applies to matching jobs for you every day and logs each application with a date, so you can request payment honestly that you are looking for work and produce records if DEED requests them.
Auto-apply and log your job searchFrequently Asked Questions
Minnesota unemployment benefits .
How much are Minnesota unemployment benefits in 2026?
As of 2026, weekly Minnesota unemployment benefits range from a state minimum of about $28 to a maximum of about $948, based on your earnings during your base period, and can last up to 26 weeks. The maximum is tied to the state average weekly wage and is updated periodically, so confirm your current amount with DEED.
Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Minnesota?
You generally qualify if you lost your job through no fault of your own, earned enough during your base period, and are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work. Quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct can affect eligibility. DEED makes the final determination.
How do I apply for Minnesota unemployment benefits?
Apply through DEED as soon as you are unemployed, online at uimn.org or by phone. You will need your work history, your last employer's details, and your personal information. After filing, you must request benefit payment every week and confirm you are able, available, and looking for work.
Do I have to look for work to get Minnesota unemployment?
Yes. To stay eligible you must be able to work, available for work, and conducting a reasonable, active search for suitable work each week you request payment, and DEED can ask you to document your job search. LoopCV can apply to matching jobs for you and keep a dated record of each application.
How long do Minnesota unemployment benefits last?
Standard Minnesota unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks within a benefit year, depending on your base period earnings. Additional weeks are sometimes available during periods of high unemployment. Check DEED for current program details.
Unemployment benefits in other states
Keep your benefits. Let LoopCV do the applying.
While you claim Minnesota unemployment, LoopCV auto-applies to matching jobs and keeps a dated record, so you meet the work search requirement and find your next role faster.