Free Web Tool · No Sign-up

Unemployment Benefits Calculator

Just lost your job? See the one number that matters — how much you'll get every week — for your state, with the formula shown step by step.

Your State

State

Min / wk

$40

Max / wk

$450

Max weeks

Your Earnings

Quick entry: annual salary

Q1 earnings

Q2 earnings

Q3 earnings

Q4 earnings

Recent quarter (optional)

for the gap check Part-time $/week (optional)

partial-benefit scenario

Your Situation

Why you left Dependentsonly some states add a dependency allowance

Your weekly benefit

$450/week

Total maximum: $11,700 over 26 weeks

Based on your inputs, you appear to meet the basic eligibility requirements. Confirm with the California unemployment agency.

How we calculated it

$22,000 (high quarter) ÷ 25 = $880 → Capped at $450 state maximum

What it means

Wage replacement

31%

Annual equivalent

$23,400

Net after 10% tax

$405/wk

Waiting week

None

Your base period

$20,000

$18,000

Q3 · high

$22,000

$15,000

The 4 quarters used to set your benefit. The gold quarter drives High-Quarter states. Total base-period wages: $75,000.

Estimate only — not legal or benefits advice. Uses 2026 state figures from our database; actual amounts depend on your exact base period, weekly-eligibility rules, and agency determination. File with your state agency to confirm.

How Unemployment Benefits Are Calculated

Pick your state first. Each state sets its own minimum and maximum weekly benefit and how long benefits last — from 12 weeks in North Carolina to 30 in Massachusetts. Selecting a state shows those limits before you enter anything.

Your base period sets the amount. Benefits are based on your past earnings, usually your highest quarter divided by a state-specific number, or a percentage of your average weekly wage. We show the exact formula and whether your result was capped at the state maximum.

Then the details. Dependents add to your check in some states, working part-time reduces it, and a recent high-earning quarter may be excluded from your base period — the gap detector warns you when that's likely.

Key Terms at a Glance

WBA	Weekly Benefit Amount — the check you get each certified week.
Base period	The four past quarters of earnings used to set your benefit.
High quarter	Your best-earning base-period quarter — the one most state formulas divide.
Alternate base period	A fallback window that can include your recent quarter if you'd otherwise miss out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my weekly benefit amount (WBA) calculated?

Every state uses its own formula. Most take your highest-earning quarter of the base period and divide by a number (25–26 in many states). Others use a percentage of your average weekly wage (47–60%), a percentage of total base-period wages, or an average of your two highest quarters. The calculator applies your state's formula, then clamps the result between the state minimum and maximum.

What is the "base period"?

It's the window of past earnings used to set your benefit — typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. Your most recent quarter is usually excluded, which is why a recent raise often doesn't count.

Why is my benefit lower than I expected?

The most common reason is the base-period gap: your highest, most recent quarter is excluded from the calculation, so your benefit is based on older, lower wages. Turn on the "recent quarter" field and the calculator will flag this and point you to the Alternate Base Period.

Can I work part-time and still collect?

Most states allow partial benefits. Enter your expected part-time weekly earnings and the calculator shows your reduced benefit — typically after disregarding a small amount (about $25 or 20% of your WBA), then reducing dollar-for-dollar.

How long do unemployment benefits last?

It varies a lot by state — from 12 weeks (North Carolina, Florida, Virginia) up to 30 weeks (Massachusetts). Some states shorten duration automatically when unemployment is low. The calculator shows your state's maximum weeks.

Are unemployment benefits taxed?

Yes — unemployment income is subject to federal income tax (and state tax in most states). You can elect to have about 10% withheld. The calculator shows your weekly benefit net of 10% federal withholding.

Available on Google Play

Get the full claim toolkit on your phone

The Unemployment Benefits Calc app adds a 6-quarter base-period visualizer, the appeal-deadline timeline, a constructive-dismissal guide for denied claims, and saved scenarios — all on your device, free.

Download on Google Play