Kentucky Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Kentucky weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Kentucky pays up to $746 a week for up to 16 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Kentucky 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 Kentucky Career Center / Office of Unemployment Insurance 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
$620/week
≈ 62% of your weekly wage · Kentucky · estimate only
Max Duration
16 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$9,920
Duration is INDEXED to the State Average Unemployment Rate (SAUR): ranges from 16 weeks (low unemployment) up to a maximum of 24 weeks. With Kentucky's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks. Maximum benefit amount = lesser of 16x WBA (current band) or 1/3 of base-period wages.
Kentucky 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 62% up to Kentucky's $746 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 Kentucky Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 1.1923% of total base-period wages, clamped to $39 min and $746 max (eff. July 5, 2026).
The result is capped at Kentucky's $746 maximum and floored at its $39 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 16 weeks. Duration is INDEXED to the State Average Unemployment Rate (SAUR): ranges from 16 weeks (low unemployment) up to a maximum of 24 weeks. With Kentucky's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks. Maximum benefit amount = lesser of 16x WBA (current band) or 1/3 of base-period wages.
Source: Kentucky Career Center / Office of Unemployment Insurance.
Who Qualifies in Kentucky
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 at least $1,500 in wages in one base-period quarter; at least $1,500 in wages outside the highest-earning quarter; total base-period wages of at least 1.5x the high-quarter wages; and wages in the last two quarters of at least 8x the WBA. Kentucky also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Kentucky?
Kentucky pays roughly 62% of your average weekly wage, from a $39 minimum up to a $746 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Kentucky?
Up to 16 weeks. Duration is INDEXED to the State Average Unemployment Rate (SAUR): ranges from 16 weeks (low unemployment) up to a maximum of 24 weeks. With Kentucky's low unemployment in 2026, the current maximum is 16 weeks. Maximum benefit amount = lesser of 16x WBA (current band) or 1/3 of base-period wages.
How is my Kentucky weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 1.1923% of total base-period wages, clamped to $39 min and $746 max (eff. July 5, 2026).
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Kentucky?
$746 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 Kentucky's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Kentucky Career Center / Office of Unemployment Insurance 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 Kentucky Career Center / Office of Unemployment Insurance can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.