10,000 US households with million-dollar incomes have collected unemployment

Just the News ^ | September 28, 2026 | Joseph Weber

[Twotone]

Ten thousand U.S. households that earned over $1 million collected unemployment benefits in 2024, receiving nearly $100 million in taxpayer money, according to data shared with The Washington Times.

The data was given to the newspaper by Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, who received it from the IRS and who has tracked this issue for years.

Among the most common millionaire claimants were engineers, software engineers, lawyers, executive managers and salespeople, according to the newspaper.

High-tax, Democratic-led states topped the list of locations in which the millionaires who collected unemployment lived. California ranked first, followed by New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

The payouts should end soon, as part of provision in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act barring individuals who earn $1 million or more from collecting unemployment benefits.

Although states administer unemployment insurance and set payment rates, a 1964 Labor Department rule prohibits them from using income to limit eligibility, forcing states to pay benefits regardless of earnings.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: benefits; millionaires; unemployment

[jmcenanly]

How many of them are actors?

[PAR35]

Just because you had a big paycheck in June doesn’
mean you have a big paycheck in December after an October layoff.

Although one isn’t going to be able to sustain a million dollar lifestyle on an unemployment check.

[TTFX]

I think people should be treated the same. If one American receives money from the government, every other American should receive it as well.

[Tell It Right]

I'll fix it for ya:

I think people should be treated the same. No one should receive money from the government. If one American receives money from the government, every other American should receive it as well.

[rightwingcrazy]

If they don’t deserve unemployment insurance, their employers shouldn’t be required to pay it. But I don’t think it works that way.

[TexasGunLover]

I think people should be treated the same. If one American receives money from the government, every other American should receive it as well.

Absolutely. We have over $1m yearly in regular income and receive no breaks, no credits, no refunds from the government... nada... just a massive tax bill (~$340k last year) every year to support freeloaders.

[z3n]

The headline says “households” but the legislation says “individuals”?

I’m just wondering if that is the discrepancy or loophole, or if that was a mistake in the headline.

If someone in a “household” or family unit that still has individuals earning income, but one “individual” lost their job, then it seems plausible that they still collect unemployment. They still have bills to pay, no?

[rbg81]

It’s a fund the employer pays into on your behalf (though in some states, the employee also pays in a small amount). So why not use it?

It is also true that some people who make very large salaries save very little—and sometimes none. This is often because they are want to be seen as rich and have an expensive lifestyle. I knew several people who fit this pattern and all of them grew up very poor. So maybe that is a factor. IMHO, that is not very smart, but it’s their money and they can do with it what they want.

[ConservativeMind]

Unemployment should just be a state concern.

Why is the Federal government in it?

[bert]

One million poor who collect various government provided monies are lazy, shiftless, good for nothings who are entirely parasitic on the American society.

[ConservativeMind]

I’m with you on that.

[fruser1]

Unemployment is one of many government scams.

For the amount paid out, it would be cheaper for employers to self insure for this.

Then you’d have a bunch of fed and state employees that could be flushed.

[Uncle Miltie]

The tax code is so convoluted, this is entirely possible.

I had a year in which my “income” was about $1M, but I had no cash. Why? Because the government declared certain of my paper gains as “income”. All that “income” disappeared in the dot com crash, and I literally didn’t have any of the “income” with which to pay the taxes. I had to liquidate pre-bubble investments to pay $70,000 in taxes on an income that no longer existed!

And that’s not the only freak storm of tax consequences I’ve experienced …

[unread]

I thought “Unemployment” was an insurance pay for by you and your employer. Kanda like S.S. It’s not a benefit but something you paid for out you own pocket... (?)

[libertylover]

Is there an income cutoff limit for unemployment benefits?

[Vision]

So if the government takes $300k-$400k from you in a year instead of $30-$40k or less, and you get fired, you can’t collect unemployment insurance?

[libertylover]

last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act barring individuals who earn $1 million or more from collecting unemployment benefits.

Oh, the answer was in the story already.

[ByteMercenary]

Just because you have assets worth MMs does not mean you can hold a job hence the unemployment funds. But one would think means testing should play a part in this.

[iamgalt]

Democratic-led states topped the list of locations“

Stunning