States That Will Provide Unemployment Benefits to Workers Who Quit or Are Fired Because They Refuse To Get Vaccinated
Note: Some data on this page may be out of date. Please check with your state unemployment office to confirm if you are eligible for unemployment.
On January 13, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down a federal mandate issued by the Biden Administration requiring that any American working at a business with 100 or more employees be vaccinated against Covid-19 or undergo weekly testing. (An exception was made for healthcare workers at facilities that receive federal funding, who must still follow this requirement.)
In many states, leaders oppose vaccination mandates, whether imposed by the government or by private companies. Some have even passed bills that enable workers who quit or are fired for refusing to get vaccinated to collect jobless benefits.
How Have Unemployment Benefits Changed?
Generally, workers can only collect unemployment benefits if their situation is due to no fault of their own, such as being laid off because their company has closed down or has a lack of available work. Regulations vary by state, but some reasons that employees can be denied unemployment include voluntarily leaving a job, being discharged for misconduct, or knowingly making false statements to receive benefits.
Some states have implemented an exception as a response to businesses that are requiring their employees to get vaccinated or face termination. The EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) has determined that this type of requirement is legal, except in cases where employees have exemptions due to disability or sincerely held religious beliefs.
Previously, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the federal government supplemented state unemployment benefits via programs such as the CARES Act of 2020 and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. All federal unemployment benefits ended on or before September 4, 2021. You can read an overview of when each state ended distribution of federal unemployment benefits here. All unemployment benefits are now provided at the state level, as they were prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Each state has its own formula to determine benefit amounts, based on prior earnings, working hours, and employment durations. Find out how much your state provides for unemployment insurance here.
Will Your State Provide Unemployment Benefits if You Quit or are Fired For Refusing to Get Vaccinated?
Details are up-to-date as of publication on February 3, 2022.
| State | Governor | Yes/No | Unemployment Department Contact Information | |
| Alabama | Kay Ivey (R) | No | Alabama Department of Labor | 334-242-8025 |
| Alaska | Mike Dunleavy (R) | No | Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development | 907-269-4700 |
| Arizona | Doug Ducey (R) | No | Arizona Department of Economic Security | 877-600-2722 |
| Arkansas | Asa Hutchinson (R) | Yes | Arkansas Department of Workforce Services | 501-682-2121 |
| California | Gavin Newsome (D) | No | California Employment Development Department | 800-300-5616 |
| Colorado | Jared Polis (D) | No | Colorado Department of Labor and Employment | 303-318-9000 |
| Connecticut | Ned Lamont (D) | No | Connecticut Department of Labor | – |
| Delaware | John Carney (D) | No | Delaware Department of Labor | New Castle County: 302-761-6576 Other Areas: 800-794-3032 |
| District of Columbia | – | No | District of Columbia Department of Employment Services | 202-724-7000 |
| Florida | Ron DeSantis (R) | Yes | Florida Department of Economic Opportunity | 800-204-2418 |
| Georgia | Brian Kemp (R) | No | Georgia Department of Labor | 877-709-8185 |
| Hawaii | David Ige (D) | No | Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations | Oahu: 808-586-8970 Hilo: 808-974-4086 Kona: 808-322-4822 Maui: 808-984-8400 Kauai: 808-274-3043 |
| Idaho | Brad Little (R) | No | Idaho Department of Labor | 208-332-8942 |
| Illinois | J.B. Pritzker (D) | No | Illinois Department of Employment Security | 800-244-5631 |
| Indiana | Eric Holcomb (R) | No | Indiana Department of Workforce Development | 800-891-6499 |
| Iowa | Kim Reynolds (R) | Yes | Iowa Workforce Development | 866-239-0843 |
| Kansas | Laura Kelly (D) | Yes | Kansas Department of Labor | 800-292-6333 |
| Kentucky | Andy Beshear (D) | No | Kentucky Career Center Office of Unemployment Insurance | 502-564-2900 |
| Louisiana | John Bel Edwards (D) | No | Louisiana Workforce Commission | 866-783-5567 |
| Maine | Janet Mills (D) | No | Maine Department of Labor | 800-593-7660 |
| Maryland | Larry Hogan (R) | No | Maryland Department of Labor | 410-949-0022 |
| Massachusetts | Charlie Baker (R) | No | Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance | 617-626-6338 |
| Michigan | Gretchen Whitmer (D) | No | Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity | 866-500-0017 |
| Minnesota | Tim Walz (D) | No | Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development | Twin Cities Area: 651-296-3644 Greater Minnesota: 877-898-9090 |
| Mississippi | Tate Reeves (R) | No | Mississippi Department of Employment Security | 888-844-3577 |
| Missouri | Mike Parson (R) | No | Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations | 800-320-2519 |
| Montana | Greg Gianforte (R) | No | Montana Department of Labor and Industry | 406-444-2545 |
| Nebraska | Pete Ricketts (R) | No | Nebraska Department of Labor | 855-995-8863 |
| Nevada | Steve Sisolak (D) | No | Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation | Northern Nevada: 775-684-0350 Southern Nevada: 702-486-0350 Rural Areas and Out of State Callers: 888-890-8211 |
| New Hampshire | Chris Sununu (R) | No | New Hampshire Department of Employment Security | 800-852-3400 |
| New Jersey | Phil Murphy (D) | No | New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development | North New Jersey: 201-601-4100 Central New Jersey: 732-761-2020 South New Jersey: 856-507-2340 Out-of-state claims: 888-795-6672 |
| New Mexico | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | No | New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions | 877-664-6984 |
| New York | Kathy Hochul (D) | No | New York Department of Labor | 888-209-8124 |
| North Carolina | Roy Cooper (D) | No | North Carolina Department of Commerce | 888-737-0259 |
| North Dakota | Doug Burgum (R) | No | North Dakota Job Service | 701-328-4995 |
| Ohio | Mike DeWine (R) | No | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services | 877-644-6562 |
| Oklahoma | Kevin Stitt (R) | No | Oklahoma Employment Security Commission | 800-555-1554 |
| Oregon | Kate Brown (D) | No | Oregon Employment Department | 877-345-3484 |
| Pennsylvania | Tom Wolf (D) | No | Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry | 888-313-7284 |
| Rhode Island | Dan McKee (D) | No | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training | 401-243-9100 |
| South Carolina | Henry McMaster (R) | No | South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce | 866-831-1724 |
| South Dakota | Kristi Noem (R) | No | South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation | 605-626-3179 |
| Tennessee | Bill Lee (R) | Yes | Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development | 877-813-0950 |
| Texas | Greg Abbott (R) | No | Texas Workforce Commission | 800-939-6631 |
| Utah | Spencer Cox (R) | No | Utah Department of Workforce Services | Salt Lake and South Davis Counties: 801-526-4400 Weber and North Davis Counties: 801-612-0877 Utah County: 801-375-4067 Other Counties and Out of State: 888-848-0688 |
| Vermont | Phil Scott (R) | No | Vermont Department of Labor | 888-807-7072 |
| Virginia | Glenn Youngkin (R) | No | Virginia Employment Commission | 866-832-2363 |
| Washington | Jay Inslee (D) | No | Washington Employment Security Department | 800-318-6022 |
| West Virginia | Jim Justice (R) | No | Workforce West Virginia | 800-379-1032 |
| Wisconsin | Tony Evers (D) | No | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development | 844-910-3661 |
| Wyoming | Mark Gordon (R) | No | Wyoming Department of Workforce Services | 307-473-3789 |
FAQs About Unemployment Benefits for Workers in the United States Who Quit or are Fired for Refusing to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Alaska?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Arizona?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Arkansas?
Yes. Bill SB739, which allows state residents who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine to collect unemployment benefits, was not vetoed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) by October 13, 2021, allowing it to become law without a signature.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in California?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Colorado?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Connecticut?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Delaware?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in The District of Columbia?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Florida?
Yes. Florida Governor Ron Desantis (R) signed a bill on November 18, 2021, which allows state residents who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine to collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Georgia?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Hawaii?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Idaho?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Illinois?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Indiana?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill on October 29, 2021, which allows state residents who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine to collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) signed a bill on November 23, 2021, which allows state residents who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine to collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Kentucky?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Louisiana?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Maine?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Maryland?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Massachusetts?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Michigan?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Minnesota?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Mississippi?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Missouri?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Montana?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Nebraska?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Nevada?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in New Hampshire?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in New Jersey?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in New Mexico?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in New York?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in North Carolina?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in North Dakota?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Ohio?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Oklahoma?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Oregon?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Rhode Island?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in South Carolina?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in South Dakota?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) signed a bill on November 12, 2021, which allows state residents who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine to collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Texas?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Utah?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Vermont?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Virginia?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Washington?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in West Virginia?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Wisconsin?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
Can workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine collect unemployment benefits in Wyoming?
No. Workers who quit or are fired for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine cannot collect unemployment benefits.
