How to Calculate Weekly Base for Unemployment
Unemployed workers can determine their unemployment base pay prior to applying for benefits with a few calculations. All states determine unemployment pay based on a percentage of the wages a worker earned during a 52-week period. A calculation can provide an estimate for benefits that workers can expect to receive for base pay, but state’s use varying percentages when calculating unemployment pay.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine your base year by counting back from the date you filed for unemployment. The base year consists of four quarters, or 12 months, out of the last 15 months prior to the date an applicant files for unemployment. Count 15 months back from the date you file your unemployment claim. Use the first 12 months, or four quarters, of this 15-month period as your base period. For example, if you plan to file for unemployment on Dec. 18, 2011, your base period ranges form July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.
-
2
Total your wages from all positions according to each quarter or three-month period using your pay stubs. For instance, using the example from Step 1, quarter one ranges from July 2010 to September 2010, quarter two is October 2010 to December 2010, quarter three ranges from January 2011 to March 2011, and quarter four is April 2011 to June 2011.
-
-
3
Multiply the wages from your highest earning quarter by 4 percent, and round down to the nearest whole number to determine your unemployment base pay. For example, if your highest earning quarter totals to $7,560, your unemployment base pay will be $302 each week.
-
4
Multiply your weekly base pay by 26, the usual amount of weeks unemployment recipients receive benefits. This is the maximum amount of benefits you can expect to receive without filing an unemployment extension. For example, $302 X 26 = $7,852 for the duration of time you receive unemployment benefits without filing an extension.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Unemployed workers can find their state’s unemployment information at the Department of Labor website to obtain their state’s exact formula for calculating unemployment base pay. Some states provide an online unemployment benefit calculator to make determining unemployment pay according to the state’s method of calculation straightforward.
Your actual unemployment base pay could fluctuate up or down depending on various factors. If you have dependents, you can receive extra unemployment pay for each dependent up to a certain limit established by our state. Additionally, if you receive severance, vacation or any other type of compensation, your weekly pay could lower to adjust for the difference in additional income.
