To help figure out which states are the least kind to those out of work, we crunched the numbers to determine an Out of Work Index score for every state in the union. We factored in the unemployment rate for each state as of August 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which not only reflects how hard hit a particular state is, but how much more competitive that makes the job market for those already out of work. The Out of Work Index also includes the maximum weekly unemployment benefits and maximum weeks of unemployment benefits each state provides (not including the extensions and additions provided by the CARES Act). We also looked at the cost of living in each state, based on the latest numbers from World Population Review, which takes into account the variable costs of utilities, housing, and transportation from one state to another. This Cost of Living Index provides the percentage difference in the cost of living between each state versus the U.S. average, which is represented by 100. Together, the numbers point to one state where it’s particularly difficult to be unemployed. This state has a high unemployment rate and its unemployment benefits are so stingy that it moved to the front of the pack compared to the rest of the county. According to the numbers, these are the 20 toughest states to be without a job right now, counting down to the absolute worst. And for more on how your money translates differently in each state, check out This Is the State Where Your Money Is Worth the Least. Unemployment Rate: 8.9 Cost of Living Index: 91.1 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $424 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 63.58 And for better news for West Virginia, find it among The Only States Beating COVID Right Now Unemployment Rate: 7.4 Cost of Living Index: 86.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $451 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 20 Out of Work Index: 64.00 Unemployment Rate: 12.5 Cost of Living Index: 192.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $648 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 67.23 And if you want to know more about the Aloha State, check out What People Living in Hawaii Wish You Knew. Unemployment Rate: 8.9 Cost of Living Index: 108.1 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $400 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 68.03 Unemployment Rate: 5.6 Cost of Living Index: 89.3 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $275 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 70.69 Sadly, the bad news continues for Alabama; it’s one of the States That Now Have the Worst COVID Outbreaks in the U.S. Unemployment Rate: 6.9 Cost of Living Index: 89 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $488 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 16 Out of Work Index: 70.83 Unemployment Rate: 7.4 Cost of Living Index: 129.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $370 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 72.85 Want to know another factor that makes Alaskan life hard? Check out The Most Dangerous State in the U.S. Unemployment Rate: 12.5ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Cost of Living Index: 139.1 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $504 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 76.67 Unemployment Rate: 5.7 Cost of Living Index: 97 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $240 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 77.34 And for more up-to-date information on COVID, states’ standings, and more, sign up for our daily newsletter. Unemployment Rate: 6.3 Cost of Living Index: 95.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $326 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 20 Out of Work Index: 79.17 Unemployment Rate: 13.2 Cost of Living Index: 108.5 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $469 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 79.74 Unemployment Rate: 5.6 Cost of Living Index: 89.2 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $365 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 14 Out of Work Index: 82.34 Unemployment Rate: 11.4 Cost of Living Index: 151.7 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $450 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 83.27 Unemployment Rate: 8.5 Cost of Living Index: 88.7 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $275 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 84.53 Unemployment Rate: 8.7 Cost of Living Index: 88.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $362 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 20 Out of Work Index: 85.13 Unemployment Rate: 7.6 Cost of Living Index: 93.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $247 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 85.62 Unemployment Rate: 7.9 Cost of Living Index: 86.1 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $235 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 26 Out of Work Index: 85.66 Unemployment Rate: 6.5 Cost of Living Index: 94.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $350 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 12 Out of Work Index: 93.61 Unemployment Rate: 7 Cost of Living Index: 87.1 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $320 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 13 Out of Work Index: 95.20 Unemployment Rate: 7.4 Cost of Living Index: 97.9 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits: $275 Maximum Number of Weeks for Unemployment Benefits: 12 Out of Work Index: 105.65
