Million-dollar households claimed unemployment benefits, costing nearly $100 million in 2024
Data show that about 10,000 U.S. households earning over $1 million collected unemployment benefits in 2024, drawing roughly $100 million from taxpayers.
IRS data supplied to Senator Joni Ernst indicate that roughly ten thousand U.S. households with incomes above $1 million collected unemployment benefits during 2024, amounting to nearly $100 million in public funds. The most common professions among these claimants included engineers, software engineers, lawyers, executive managers and salespeople. High-tax, Democratic-controlled states accounted for the majority of recipients, with California ranking first, followed by New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Although the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year aims to halt such payments, a 1964 Labor Department regulation still obliges states to provide benefits irrespective of earnings. Analysts explain that joint tax filings can allow a high-earning spouse to coexist with an unemployed partner who claims benefits. The payouts are expected to cease as the new provision takes effect.
Why it matters
Taxpayers are funding unemployment benefits for households earning over $1 million, raising questions about program fairness and eligibility rules.
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