Yes, you do get paid for jury duty if you’re unemployed. The court’s stipend goes to every juror regardless of employment status: $50 a day in federal court, and anywhere from nothing to $50 a day in state court depending on where you live. The bigger question for most unemployed jurors isn’t the stipend itself but how jury service interacts with unemployment benefits, and whether financial hardship might excuse you from serving at all.
What the Court Will Pay You
Federal courts pay a flat $50 per day of actual attendance. If a trial runs longer than ten days, the judge can raise your daily rate by up to $10 for the remainder, but that increase isn’t automatic; it’s the trial judge’s call.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees
Federal grand jury service pays the same $50 daily rate, but the term can run up to 18 months with possible extensions to 24 months, and the threshold for a possible raise is 45 days of actual service rather than ten.2United States Courts. Types of Juries1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees For someone without a job, a long grand jury assignment can mean months of sporadic $50 days, which is worth factoring in before you decide whether to ask for an excusal.
State pay is a different story. Rates are set by each state legislature, so they range widely. A handful of states match the federal $50; two pay nothing at all for the first day or more. Most daily rates fall in the $10 to $30 range, and some states bump the amount after the first few days or for longer trials. Your summons or the local court’s website will list the exact figure.
Will Jury Duty Cost You Your Unemployment Benefits?
In most states, no. Unemployment programs generally require you to be available for work each week you claim benefits, and jury service would seem to conflict with that. But the vast majority of states have written in an explicit exemption, so jury duty doesn’t count against your availability.
Whether you have to report the jury stipend to the unemployment office is a separate question. Some states treat jury pay as a reimbursement and don’t reduce your benefits at all. Others count it as earnings for any week you receive it. Call your state’s unemployment office before your service date and ask directly. You don’t want an overpayment notice because you failed to report $50, and you don’t want an unnecessary benefit reduction because you reported money that didn’t need reporting.
Travel and Expense Reimbursement
The daily fee isn’t the only money involved. Federal courts reimburse mileage at $0.725 per mile as of January 1, 2026, no matter how you actually get to the courthouse.3United States District Court District of Maryland. Notice of Mileage Rate Change Tolls for roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries are covered in full. Parking can be reimbursed at the court’s discretion if you keep the receipt.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees
If overnight stays are required, federal jurors receive a subsistence allowance for meals and lodging, set by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and matched to what federal employees get in the same area. Sequestered juries have their actual meals, lodging, and reasonable expenses covered directly.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees
State courts set their own reimbursement rules. Many cover mileage or transit, and some pay for parking or meals during long trials. Check the paperwork that came with your summons.
Requesting a Hardship Excusal If You’re Unemployed
Being unemployed doesn’t automatically excuse you from jury duty. Courts distinguish inconvenience from genuine hardship. To get excused, you generally need to show that service would create an extreme financial burden, not just that it’s badly timed.
When evaluating hardship, courts typically weigh:
- Whether anyone else in the household earns income, and how much
- How long the service is expected to last
- Whether service would compromise your ability to support dependents or pay rent
- How much the court’s stipend offsets the burden
If you can show that even a short stint would seriously threaten your financial stability, you have a reasonable basis to ask. The process usually involves a written request or a hardship form that came with your summons, along with supporting documents such as bank statements or proof that you’re receiving unemployment benefits. Many courts accept these requests online.
If a full excusal is denied, ask about a deferral. Pushing service to a later date, when your circumstances may have changed, is often granted even when outright excusal isn’t.
Reporting Jury Pay on Your Tax Return
Jury pay is taxable income. The IRS requires you to report it on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8h, regardless of the amount.4Internal Revenue Service. Publication 525 (2025), Taxable and Nontaxable Income Courts don’t withhold income tax from the stipend, so you handle that yourself at filing time.
For someone unemployed most of the year, the tax hit is usually minimal. If your only income is unemployment benefits and a few days of jury pay, your total liability will be low. Keep track of the exact amount you received. The court may or may not send documentation, and you’re responsible for accurate reporting either way.
When the Check Arrives
Payment methods vary. Federal courts typically mail a check within about two weeks after your service.5United States District Court Western District of Washington. Payment and Reimbursement Some state courts issue prepaid debit cards loaded a few weeks after service ends, with options to transfer the funds to a bank account or request a paper check. You’re paid only for days you actually appeared, not for standby days at home.
Hold onto any attendance records or payment stubs. They matter at tax time, and they help if a payment goes missing.