Calculate Unemployment Benefits in Wisconsin

If you are an job less Wisconsin resident, applying for unemployment benefits can help cover your expenses until you secure your next job. Before applying, you can determine if you have enough wages to qualify for unemployment benefits and calculate an estimate of your weekly payment. By calculating your expected weekly benefit, you can decide if applying for full unemployment benefits or accepting part-time work and collecting partial benefits will be a better financial move until you can find a full-time job.

At first gather pay stubs or other income documentation from all your employers for the last 18 months, or the last five quarters. Then go online at dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/ and navigate to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's online weekly benefit rate calculator.

Enter your gross income in the box for each quarter -- A, B, C and D. Use your gross income amounts for the first four quarters of the past 18 months. For example, if you plan to file an unemployment claim in November 2010, use your earnings for the four quarters from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. The oldest quarter is Quarter A and the most recent is Quarter D.

Click on the "Calculate" button to determine your estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount. Your actual benefit will be determined when you apply for unemployment.

Calculate your estimated partial unemployment benefits. Use the partial unemployment benefits calculator if you are working part time, or plan to work, while receiving unemployment benefits.

Enter your estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount (figured in Steps 3 and 4) in the first box. Enter your estimated weekly gross earnings from employment in the second box. Enter any holiday or vacation pay you plan to receive for the week in the third box.

Click the "Calculate" button to see your estimated weekly partial unemployment benefit.