The Worst States to Lose Your Job in Right Now

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the economy, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has soared to 14.7% — the highest it's been since the Great Depression.

To help cushion the blow, the federal government has committed to $2 trillion in relief through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Unemployed people will receive an extra $600 a week for up to four months and an additional 13 weeks of payments if their benefits run out.

While the whole country is suffering, getting by on unemployment benefits during the pandemic has been much harder in some states than in others.

We've found the 15 worst, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor, state labor departments and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That data includes the maximum weekly payment and duration of benefits, not including CARES.

It also includes the rate of “recipiency” for each state in the fourth quarter of 2019. That’s the percentage of unemployed people actually getting help in the form of regular benefits. Those missing out include people who didn’t apply but also people who don’t qualify under the state’s rules — and people who have exhausted their benefits without finding more work.