Maximum weekly benefits paid to jobless Iowans and to workers injured on the job will increase effective July 5, Iowa Workforce Development announced. The rise in benefits was triggered by an increase in wages covered by unemployment insurance. The average annual wage for insured Iowa workers increased to $42,327.64 in 2014, up from $40,883.90 the previous year. The new benefit payment schedules will apply to people who file new unemployment insurance claims on or after July 5 and to workers who are injured on or after that date. The maximum unemployment weekly payment increases to $463 from $448 for a worker with two dependents. About half of those eligible for unemployment insurance benefits have enough earnings to qualify for the maximum benefit.