IRS data shows 10,000 million-dollar households received $100 million in unemployment

Internal Revenue Service data obtained by Senator Joni Ernst reveals that approximately 10,000 U.S. households reporting annual incomes of at least $1 million collected nearly $100 million in unemployment benefits during 2024.

Common occupations associated with these high-income claimants include engineers, software engineers, attorneys, executives, managers, and sales professionals. Geographically, California recorded the highest number of million-dollar households receiving benefits, followed by New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

Analysts note that because unemployment insurance is not traditionally an income-tested program, several factors allow for these payouts. For instance, in joint tax filings, one spouse may qualify for benefits after losing a job even if the combined household income exceeds $1 million due to the other spouse's earnings or investment income. Additionally, a 1964 Labor Department rule currently prevents states from using income levels to limit eligibility. However, provisions in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to restrict such payments for individuals earning $1 million or more in the near future.