Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Kentucky

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

$39–$746

Maximum: claims filed on or after July 5, 2026

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit amount is 1.1923% of your total wages in the base period, rounded to the nearest dollar. It is at least $39 and at most $746 a week for claims filed on or after July 5, 2026. The maximum can change each July.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: KRS 341.380(2)-(3)

The wage test

You need at least $1,500 in your highest-paid quarter, total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times that quarter, at least $1,500 earned outside that quarter, and wages in the last two quarters of your base period of at least 8 times your weekly benefit amount.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim's effective date.

The state's wage tests

• $1,500 in your highest quarter, total wages 1.5 times that quarter, $1,500 outside it, and last-two-quarter wages at least 8 times your weekly benefit — At least $1,500 earned outside the highest quarter, and wages in the last two quarters of the base period at least 8 times the weekly benefit amount.

Law: KRS 341.350(6)

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 × 1.1923%, rounded to the nearest dollar (a .50 rounds down); at least $39 and at most $746

How long it lasts

Currently 16 weeks (it changes with the unemployment rate).

For claims qualifying on or after July 5, 2026, you can get up to 16 weeks of benefits. The most you can get is the lower of your weekly benefit times your number of weeks, or one-third of your total base-period wages, but never less than 12 times your weekly benefit amount.

The number of weeks depends on the state average unemployment rate for the prior six months: 16 weeks when the rate is 6.5% or less, one more week for each half point above that, up to 24 weeks when the rate is above 10%. Claims qualifying on or after July 5, 2026 get a maximum of 16 weeks. Your number of weeks is locked in when your claim is set up. The rate is reset for six-month periods starting January 1 and July 1.

Extra weeks and training

If you are enrolled and making progress in an approved job training or certification program, you may get up to 5 more weeks after your regular weeks run out. Ask for training approval with form UI-800 (call 502-564-2900 or visit a Kentucky Career Center).

Law: KRS 341.380(4), 341.385

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Every new claim serves one waiting week: no benefits are paid for the first week you are eligible, and you must request benefits for that week for it to count. Under state law, the waiting week is paid near the end of your claim, once your remaining balance is equal to or less than one week's payment.

Law: KRS 341.350(2)

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can work less than full time and still get benefits. Report all gross wages for the week you earned them. Kentucky subtracts 80% of your gross wages from your weekly benefit amount. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $100, $80 is subtracted and you are paid $320.

Earnings not deducted (as the data states it)

An amount equal to 20% of your earnings that week is not deducted.

Law: KRS 341.390(1)

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 502-564-2900. Legal aid and other free help in Kentucky → Official sources →