Iowa Workforce Development announced an increase in the amount of maximum weekly benefits paid to unemployed Iowans and to workers injured on the job beginning July 4, following a statutorily required annual review of wages covered by unemployment insurance. The average annual wage for insured Iowa workers increased to $52,130.71 in 2020, up from $48,455.86 in 2019. Under Iowa law, the number of people covered by unemployment insurance and their gross wages are primary elements of a formula that IWD uses each year to compute maximum and minimum benefit amounts paid to jobless workers. The new benefit payment schedules apply to individuals who file new unemployment insurance claims for the week beginning July 4, 2021, and to workers injured on or after July 1, 2021.