Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Indiana

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

up to $390

Maximum: set by Indiana law; $390 is the maximum for claims filed now

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit is 47% of your prior average weekly wage: your total base-period wages divided by 52, times 0.47, rounded down to the whole dollar. The maximum is $390 a week.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: IC 22-4-12-2

The wage test

Your total base-period wages must be at least $4,200, with at least $2,500 of that in the last two quarters of the base period. Your total base-period wages must also be at least 1.5 times your wages in your highest quarter.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week you file. Wages from the most recent quarter (the lag quarter) do not count.

The state's wage tests

• $4,200 in the base period, $2,500 of it in the last two quarters, and total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter — At least $2,500 must be in the last two calendar quarters of the base period.

Law: IC 22-4-14-5

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 total base-period wages × 47% ÷ 52, rounded down; at most $390

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

The most you can get during your benefit period is the lower of 26 times your weekly benefit or 28% of your total base-period wages. So claims last up to 26 weeks; claims with lower total wages run out sooner. If you are disqualified for a quit or discharge and later requalify, your maximum is cut (to 75% after the first such separation).

Law: IC 22-4-12-4(a); IC 22-4-15-1(b)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Indiana law requires a one-week unpaid waiting period. You must file an on-time voucher for that week and meet all eligibility rules, and report any wages you earn that week. Your first payment comes for the next eligible week.

Law: IC 22-4-14-4

Official source: Source page

Working part time

If your employer cuts your hours below your regular full-time week, or you take a part-time job and earn less than your weekly benefit, you may get partial benefits. Report all wages for the week you earned them. DWD takes every dollar you earn over $100 in the week off your weekly benefit. You cannot get benefits in a week you work full time, even if you earn less than your weekly benefit. Severance pay and some pension payments are also deducted.

Earnings not deducted (as the data states it)

The first $100 you earn in a week is not deducted.

Law: IC 22-4-5-1(b); IC 22-4-5-2

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

Call 1-800-891-6499. Legal aid and other free help in Indiana → Official sources →