What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Georgia?

$365 a week as of July 1, 2026; the minimum is $55.

Does Georgia have a waiting week for unemployment?

No. There is no unpaid waiting week.

How do I file for unemployment in Georgia?

File an initial claim with the Georgia Department of Labor at https://dol.georgia.gov/get-unemployment-assistance.

Georgia unemployment benefits

In Georgia, unemployment benefits pay up to $365 a week (as of July 1, 2026); check with the Georgia Department of Labor for how many weeks you can receive. There is no unpaid waiting week, and you file with the Georgia Department of Labor.

By Justin KullaLast updated October 6, 2026

Last verified October 6, 2026 against official sources.

File a claim with the Georgia Department of Labor →

Georgia benefits at a glance

Georgia unemployment insurance facts, with sources
Maximum weekly benefit	$365source, July 1, 2026
Minimum weekly benefit	$55source, July 1, 2026
Maximum weeks of benefits	Check with the Georgia Department of Labor
Weeks depend on the state unemployment rate	Yessource, July 1, 2026
Unpaid waiting week	Nosource, January 1, 2023
Severance pay	All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.source, January 1, 2023
Pay in lieu of notice	All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.source, January 1, 2023
Work-search requirement	Claimants must complete at least 3 new work search activities per week.source, January 1, 2023
Extended benefits	Not available nowsource, October 4, 2026
How to file	the Georgia Department of Labor source, October 6, 2026

Weekly amounts exclude dependents’ allowances. Severance, pay in lieu of notice and work-search entries dated January 1, 2023 come from the Department of Labor’s latest Comparison of State UI Laws, which reflects state law on that date; confirm them with the Georgia Department of Labor.

Severance and unemployment in Georgia

Severance pay: All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.

Pay in lieu of notice (including WARN Act pay): All benefits are denied for the week the payment is received.

File as soon as you are out of work even if you received severance. The agency decides how payments affect your claim, and most states pay only from the week you file.

Local workforce boards in Georgia

Public workforce boards run American Job Centers, which offer free help with job search, training and benefits.

If you’re a laid-off professional

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws and Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, the DOL Extended Benefits trigger notice, and the Georgia Department of Labor. Where official sources disagree or a figure could not be confirmed, this page says to check with the agency rather than estimate. Rules change; the agency’s decision on your claim is what counts. See our editorial standards.