SB 515

EMPLOYMENT

This bill makes changes regarding the amount of unemployment insurance benefits that a claimant may receive in a given week, as follows:

Increasing maximum weekly unemployment benefits

Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance receives a weekly benefit rate equal to a percentage of that person’s past earnings, but the weekly benefit rate is capped at $370. This bill changes the maximum weekly benefit rate in the following ways:

1. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is capped at $497.

2. For benefits paid for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit rate is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter.

Increasing unemployment insurance benefit wage cap

Under current law, a person who qualifies for unemployment insurance is ineligible to receive any UI benefits for a week if the person receives or will receive wages or certain other earnings totalling more than $500 (wage cap). This bill changes the wage cap in the following ways:

1. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 4, 2026, but before January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased to $672.

2. For weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 3, 2027, the wage cap is increased based upon the change in the consumer price index and is then increased on the same basis annually thereafter.