District of Columbia Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your District of Columbia weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. District of Columbia pays up to $444 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your District of Columbia weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Unemployment Compensation to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$444/week
≈ 44% of your weekly wage · District of Columbia · estimate only
You're at District of Columbia's $444 maximum.
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$11,544
Your wage is above District of Columbia's benefit cap, so you would receive the $444 maximum regardless of higher earnings.
Up to 26 weeks within the benefit year. Not indexed to the unemployment rate.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 50% up to District of Columbia's $444 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How District of Columbia Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 1/26 of the wages in the HIGHEST quarter of the base period (computed to the next higher multiple of $1), per D.C. Code 51-107, clamped to the min/max.
The result is capped at District of Columbia's $444 maximum and floored at its $50 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks within the benefit year. Not indexed to the unemployment rate.
Source: DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Unemployment Compensation.
Who Qualifies in District of Columbia
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim. Alternate base period (last four completed quarters) available if not eligible under the standard period.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have wages in at least two quarters of the base period, at least $1,300 in the highest quarter, at least $1,950 in total base-period wages, and total base-period wages of at least 1.5x the high quarter. District of Columbia has no waiting week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $50 minimum up to a $444 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in District of Columbia?
Up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks within the benefit year. Not indexed to the unemployment rate.
How is my District of Columbia weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 1/26 of the wages in the HIGHEST quarter of the base period (computed to the next higher multiple of $1), per D.C. Code 51-107, clamped to the min/max.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in District of Columbia?
$444 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on District of Columbia's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Unemployment Compensation from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-08-21. Only DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Unemployment Compensation can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.