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.

Tax filers with million-dollar incomes may receive unemployment for several reasons, according to analysts. For example, in a joint return, one spouse may earn a high income while the other is unemployed and claiming benefits, The Times also reports.