Free · official rates · checked September 25, 2026
Starting a business on unemployment in Minnesota
Here’s what Minnesota allows while you’re on unemployment, and how to build your plan alongside your job search.
Minnesota
No Self-Employment Assistance
You can get benefits in weeks you work under 32 hours in total (employment plus self-employment) and earn less than your weekly benefit, as long as you seek employee jobs (finding clients doesn't count) and would rearrange or quit the business for a job; report net self-employment earnings after allowable business expenses, 50% of which is deducted. Source
Job search: Actively seek suitable employment every week you request benefits; there is no fixed number, and qualifying activities include applications, resumes, calls to arrange interviews, workshops, networking, and job-bank searches; you must attend a Reemployment Session if scheduled.
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Self-Employment Assistance in Minnesota
No. Minnesota doesn’t run Self-Employment Assistance, so unemployment is for people looking for work.
How self-employment affects your benefit
You can get benefits in weeks you work under 32 hours in total (employment plus self-employment) and earn less than your weekly benefit, as long as you seek employee jobs (finding clients doesn't count) and would rearrange or quit the business for a job; report net self-employment earnings after allowable business expenses, 50% of which is deducted.
Working under 32 hours with earnings below the weekly benefit pays a partial benefit, with 50% of earnings deducted; 32+ hours or earnings at or above the weekly benefit means no benefit.
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Your weekly job search
Actively seek suitable employment every week you request benefits; there is no fixed number, and qualifying activities include applications, resumes, calls to arrange interviews, workshops, networking, and job-bank searches; you must attend a Reemployment Session if scheduled.
Pontia keeps your job-search record for you and links to CareerForce (Minnesota's official job search site), so your plan and your search run side by side.
Other help in Minnesota
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), Minnesota DEED: DEED VRS Small Business policy: after exploration and a check with the agency Small Business Development Specialist, the client writes a business plan; VRS pays approved start-up or stabilization costs up to the small business fee schedule, after considering comparable benefits.
- Medicaid: Minnesota expanded Medicaid, so the new work requirement applies to expansion adults: 80 hours or $580 net a month, and hours on your business count. Minnesota follows the federal date: from 1 Jan 2027 some Medical Assistance adults must meet an exemption or a qualifying activity (80 hours or $580/month) since their last renewal.
- SBA Microloans of up to $50,000, and free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors.
- On SSI or SSDI: PASS and the SSDI trial work period let you test a business.
Questions
Can I collect unemployment while starting a business in Minnesota?+
No. Minnesota doesn’t run Self-Employment Assistance, so unemployment is for people looking for work. You can get benefits in weeks you work under 32 hours in total (employment plus self-employment) and earn less than your weekly benefit, as long as you seek employee jobs (finding clients doesn't count) and would rearrange or quit the business for a job; report net self-employment earnings after allowable business expenses, 50% of which is deducted.
How many job contacts a week does Minnesota require?+
Actively seek suitable employment every week you request benefits; there is no fixed number, and qualifying activities include applications, resumes, calls to arrange interviews, workshops, networking, and job-bank searches; you must attend a Reemployment Session if scheduled.
How much is unemployment in Minnesota?+
Between $37 and $948 a week in 2026, for up to 9-26 weeks. Your own amount is on your monetary determination.
What other help is there to start a business in Minnesota?+
Free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors, SBA microloans of up to $50,000, and, if you have a disability, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), Minnesota DEED can fund a self-employment plan. On SSI or SSDI, PASS and the trial work period let you test a business.
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Cite this page
"Start a business on unemployment in Minnesota (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/minnesota/ (updated September 25, 2026)
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