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Unemployment calculator  →  Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Unemployment Calculator (2026)

In 2026, Puerto Rico pays between $60 and $240 a week in unemployment benefits, and everyone who qualifies can receive up to 26 weeks. The weekly maximum is one of the lowest of any U.S. jurisdiction, so it helps to know your number early and plan around it.

Data verified 2026-07-04Source: US DOL + state statuteEffective 2026-01-01
Weekly benefit range
$60$240
Duration
26 weeks
Formula
highest quarter ÷ 11–26 (table)
Apply with
Puerto Rico's unemployment agency official
The actual rule

How Puerto Rico calculates it

Puerto Rico sets your weekly benefit with an official table, not a direct formula. The table pays between 1/11 and 1/26 of your high-quarter wages — the three months of your base period when you earned the most. Where your high quarter falls on the table determines the exact fraction you get, within the $60 minimum and $240 maximum.

Because it's a table lookup, our calculator gives you an honest range instead of a single number. Think of the range this way: dividing your high-quarter wages by 26 gives a low estimate and dividing by 11 gives a high one, capped at $240. The Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources issues the official figure when it processes your claim — that determination is final.

Duration is uniform: every qualified claimant in Puerto Rico gets up to 26 weeks of benefits, regardless of earnings. That does not include any extensions that may apply during periods of high unemployment.

highest quarter ÷ 11–26 (table), clamped to $60$240
Source: US DOL “Significant Provisions of State UI Laws” (Jan 2026) + state statute · verified 2026-07-04
Qualifying

Do you qualify in Puerto Rico?

To qualify financially in Puerto Rico, your total base period wages must be at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount, with a minimum of $280 in wages, spread across at least two calendar quarters. In practice, if you worked steadily for much of the past year, you likely clear the bar.

You also need to meet the standard non-monetary tests: you lost your job through no fault of your own, you're able and available to work, and you're actively looking for work each week you claim. The agency reviews your job separation and makes the final decision.

Maximum total benefit: N/A (uniform duration).

Common questions

Puerto Rico unemployment, in plain language

How much unemployment will I get in Puerto Rico? +
In 2026, Puerto Rico's weekly benefit ranges from $60 to $240. Your amount comes from an official table that pays between 1/11 and 1/26 of your high-quarter wages. Our calculator shows your estimated range; the exact figure comes from the agency's official determination.
How long does unemployment last in Puerto Rico? +
Up to 26 weeks, and it's the same for everyone who qualifies — Puerto Rico uses a uniform duration rather than tying weeks to your earnings. Extensions during high unemployment, if any, are separate.
How is the weekly benefit calculated in Puerto Rico? +
Puerto Rico uses a benefit table based on your high-quarter wages — the calendar quarter in your base period when you earned the most. Depending on where your wages fall on the table, your weekly benefit is between 1/11 and 1/26 of that quarter's wages, with a floor of $60 and a cap of $240. Because it's a table and not a formula, no calculator can give you the exact number — we give you the honest min-max range, and the official award comes from the agency.
Can I work part-time and still get unemployment in Puerto Rico? +
Yes, within limits. Puerto Rico's earnings disregard equals your weekly benefit amount, which is more generous than most states. You still must report every dollar you earn each week you claim, stay able and available for work, and keep looking for work — the agency applies the exact rules to your weekly earnings.
Do I qualify for unemployment in Puerto Rico? +
You generally qualify if your base period wages total at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount (with a $280 minimum), you had wages in at least two quarters, and you lost your job through no fault of your own. You must also be able to work, available for work, and actively job hunting while collecting benefits.
Is unemployment taxable in Puerto Rico? +
Unemployment benefits are taxable income for federal purposes. You can request a flat 10% federal withholding by filing Form W-4V. Puerto Rico's own tax treatment depends on current territorial rules and your situation, so check with Hacienda or a tax professional — this isn't tax advice.
When should I apply for unemployment in Puerto Rico? +
Apply as soon as you lose your job. Claims generally can't be backdated to cover weeks before you filed, so waiting costs you money. Have your work and wage history ready, answer every question truthfully, and keep filing weekly claims while your application is processed.
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