Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Wisconsin

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

$54–$370

Maximum: the current maximum shown by DWD for claims filed now (October 2026)

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit rate is 4% of your wages in the highest-paid quarter of your base period, rounded down to the dollar. The maximum is $370. If the rate would be less than $54, you do not qualify. DWD's Weekly Benefit Rate Chart shows the rate for each wage amount.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: Wis. Stat. sec. 108.05(1)

The wage test

You must have wages in at least two quarters of your base period and a weekly benefit rate of at least $54 (at least $1,350 in your highest quarter). Your wages outside your highest quarter must be at least 4 times your weekly benefit rate, and your total base-period wages at least 35 times your weekly benefit rate.

Your base period is the first four of the last five full calendar quarters before you file. If you do not qualify with it, DWD uses an alternate base period: the four most recent full calendar quarters.

The state's wage tests

• Weekly benefit rate of $54 or more, wages in two quarters, wages outside the highest quarter at least 4 times the rate, and total base-period wages at least 35 times the rate — Wages in the three lowest base-period quarters at least 4 times your weekly benefit rate

Law: Wis. Stat. sec. 108.04(4)

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 × 4%, rounded down; at least $54 and at most $370

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

The most you can get in your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit rate or 40% of your base-period wages, whichever is smaller. So claims last up to 26 weeks, and claims with lower total wages run out sooner.

Law: Wis. Stat. sec. 108.06(1)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Wisconsin has a waiting week. In each new benefit year, no benefits are paid for the first week you would otherwise be eligible.

Law: Wis. Stat. sec. 108.04(3)

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You can get a partial payment in a week you work part time. DWD subtracts $30 from your gross income for the week, multiplies the rest by 0.67 and subtracts that from your weekly benefit rate, then rounds down to the dollar. No payment is made if the result is less than $5, if you work or are paid for 32 or more hours, or if your gross pay is more than $500.

Law: Wis. Stat. sec. 108.05(3)

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 1-844-910-3661. Legal aid and other free help in Wisconsin → Official sources →