Ohio Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Ohio weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Ohio pays up to $600 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Ohio 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 Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) - Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations 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 · Ohio · estimate only
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$13,000
Up to 26 weeks; total benefits payable = WBA x number of qualifying weeks worked in base period, so a claimant only gets the full 26 weeks if they worked 26+ qualifying weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Ohio 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 Ohio's $600 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 Ohio Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 50% of the claimant's base-period average weekly wage (AWW = total covered remuneration in all qualifying weeks divided by number of qualifying weeks), capped at the maximum for the claimant's dependency class. Per ORC 4141.30(B), the class maximums are set as a percentage of the statewide average weekly wage: Class A (no dependents) up to 50%, Class B (1-2 dependents) up to 60%, Class C (3+ dependents) up to 66 2/3%. Maximums are adjusted yearly (effective the Sunday nearest Jan 1).
The result is capped at Ohio's $600 maximum and floored at its $164 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks; total benefits payable = WBA x number of qualifying weeks worked in base period, so a claimant only gets the full 26 weeks if they worked 26+ qualifying weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Dependents: Not a flat per-dependent add-on; instead Ohio raises the MAX WBA cap by dependency class. Class A (0 deps) max ~$600; Class B (1-2 deps) max ~$757; Class C (3+ deps) max ~$842. A claimant only benefits from the higher cap if 50% of AWW exceeds the Class A max. Dependent spouse: legally married, living with claimant, claimant provided >50% support 90 days, spouse income <=25% of claimant AWW. Dependent child: 17 or under (or disabled).
Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) - Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations.
Who Qualifies in Ohio
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Regular base period = first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the benefit year begins. Alternate base period = four most recently completed calendar quarters, used only if claimant lacks sufficient qualifying weeks/wages in the regular base 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 at least 20 qualifying weeks of covered employment in the base period AND a base-period average weekly wage of at least 27.5% of the statewide average weekly wage. Ohio also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Ohio?
Ohio pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $164 minimum up to a $600 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Ohio?
Up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks; total benefits payable = WBA x number of qualifying weeks worked in base period, so a claimant only gets the full 26 weeks if they worked 26+ qualifying weeks. Not rate-indexed.
How is my Ohio weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 50% of the claimant's base-period average weekly wage (AWW = total covered remuneration in all qualifying weeks divided by number of qualifying weeks), capped at the maximum for the claimant's dependency class. Per ORC 4141.30(B), the class maximums are set as a percentage of the statewide average weekly wage: Class A (no dependents) up to 50%, Class B (1-2 dependents) up to 60%, Class C (3+ dependents) up to 66 2/3%. Maximums are adjusted yearly (effective the Sunday nearest Jan 1).
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Ohio?
$600 per week in 2026, or up to $842 with the dependent allowance. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on Ohio's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) - Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations 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 2026-06-02. Only Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) - Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.