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Connecticut Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

Under C.G.S. § 31‑231a, the Connecticut Department of Labor sets the weekly unemployment benefit ceiling at $721, a figure that has stayed flat while the state repays its trust‑fund debt. The formula also guarantees at least $15 per week and adds $15 for each dependent (up to five), though the dependent addition isn’t reflected in the base estimate.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Connecticut Department of Labor — unemployment insurance — C.G.S. § 31-231a; CT DOL.

How Connecticut calculates it

  • Identify your two highest‑earning quarters of wages.
  • Add the wages from those two quarters together.
  • Divide the sum by 52 (equivalent to the average of the two quarters divided by 26) to get the base weekly benefit.
  • If the result is below $15, raise it to the $15 minimum; if it exceeds $721, cap it at $721.
  • Apply the weekly rate for up to 26 weeks of eligibility.
  • Add $15 per dependent (maximum five) on top of the weekly rate – this extra amount is not included in the calculator’s base figure.

Worked example

Quarters of $16,000 and $14,000: ($16,000 + $14,000) ÷ 52 = $577 — a weekly benefit of $577 for up to 26 weeks ($15,002 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Connecticut?

The state maximum is $721 per week, and it has remained unchanged while Connecticut repays its unemployment trust‑fund debt.

How does having dependents affect my unemployment benefit?

Connecticut adds $15 per dependent, up to five dependents, on top of the calculated weekly rate. This supplemental amount is separate from the base benefit shown by the calculator.

How many weeks of benefits can I receive?

Eligible claimants may receive benefits for up to 26 weeks, provided they meet all other qualification requirements.

What is the minimum weekly benefit I can receive?

The statutory minimum weekly benefit is $15, regardless of wage history.

How are my wages used to determine the weekly benefit amount?

The Department of Labor takes the wages from your two highest‑earning quarters, adds them together, and divides the total by 52. The resulting figure becomes your weekly benefit, subject to the $15 minimum and $721 maximum.

Is the calculation different in Bridgeport, New Haven or Hartford?

No. Benefits are set by the Connecticut Department of Labor under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Connecticut. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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