Weekly benefit amount and weeks in the District of Columbia

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

up to $444

Maximum: claims filed on or after January 5, 2020 and still in effect for claims filed now (the DOES Director may recommend a new maximum each calendar year)

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of the wages paid in the quarter of your base period with your highest wages, rounded up to the next dollar. The maximum is $444 a week.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: D.C. Code 51-107(b)

The wage test

You must have been paid at least $1,300 in one quarter of your base period, at least $1,950 in total in at least two quarters, and total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter (or within $70 of that amount).

Your base period is the 12 months ending on the last day of the calendar quarter before the most recent full quarter. For example, if the first full week of your claim is in January, February or March, your base period is the 12 months that ended the previous September 30.

The state's wage tests

• $1,300 in one quarter, $1,950 in two quarters, and total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter — If your total is short of 1.5 times your highest quarter by $70 or less, you can still qualify, but your weekly benefit is cut by $1 (shortfall up to $35) or $2 (shortfall over $35).

Law: D.C. Code 51-107(c)

Official source: Source page

Estimate your weekly benefit

Enter the gross wages (before taxes) you were paid in each quarter of your base period. We apply the state's own formula to your numbers.

The state's formula: your highest quarter ÷ 26, rounded up; at most $444

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

Everyone who qualifies can get up to 26 times their weekly benefit amount during the 52-week benefit year (a standard 26 weeks).

Law: D.C. Code 51-107(d)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Since September 5, 2021, DC law requires a one-week unpaid waiting period. It is the first week you would otherwise be eligible, usually the first week of your claim. You must still certify for that week.

Law: D.C. Code 51-109(5)

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can get partial benefits in a week you work part time. Report all earnings on your weekly certification. DOES adds $50 to your weekly benefit amount and then subtracts 66% of what you earned that week, rounded down to the dollar. You can never get more than your regular weekly benefit amount.

Law: D.C. Code 51-107(e)

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

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