Kansas Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Kansas weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Kansas pays up to $663 a week for up to 16 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Kansas 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 Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) 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
$500/week
≈ 50% of your weekly wage · Kansas · estimate only
Max Duration
16 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$8,000
Duration is INDEXED to the average statewide unemployment rate: 16 weeks when the rate is below 4.5%, scaling up to 26 weeks when the rate is 6.0% or higher. With Kansas's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks.
Kansas has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
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 Kansas's $663 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 Kansas Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 4.25% of the wages in the highest-paid base-period quarter, clamped to $159 min and $637 max (eff. July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). (4.25% equals roughly 1/23.5 of the high quarter.)
The result is capped at Kansas's $663 maximum and floored at its $165 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 16 weeks. Duration is INDEXED to the average statewide unemployment rate: 16 weeks when the rate is below 4.5%, scaling up to 26 weeks when the rate is 6.0% or higher. With Kansas's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks.
Source: Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL).
Who Qualifies in Kansas
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Alternate base period available if the claimant doesn't qualify under the standard.), 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 and total base-period wages of at least 30x the WBA (and meet the high-quarter threshold to reach the $159 minimum benefit). Kansas also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Kansas?
Kansas pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $165 minimum up to a $663 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Kansas?
Up to 16 weeks. Duration is INDEXED to the average statewide unemployment rate: 16 weeks when the rate is below 4.5%, scaling up to 26 weeks when the rate is 6.0% or higher. With Kansas's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks.
How is my Kansas weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 4.25% of the wages in the highest-paid base-period quarter, clamped to $159 min and $637 max (eff. July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). (4.25% equals roughly 1/23.5 of the high quarter.)
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Kansas?
$663 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 Kansas's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) 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 Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.