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Delaware Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

The Delaware Department of Labor, under 19 Del. C. § 3313, determines weekly unemployment benefits by taking the two quarters in which you earned the most, adding them together and dividing the sum by 46. In 2024 the state lifted its weekly maximum from $400 to $450, while the minimum stays at $20, and benefits can be paid for as many as 26 weeks.

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

Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Delaware Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance — 19 Del. C. § 3313; Delaware DOL.

How Delaware calculates it

  • Identify the quarter in which you earned the highest wages and the quarter with the second‑highest wages.
  • Add the wage amounts from those two quarters together.
  • Divide the combined total by 46 to get a preliminary weekly benefit amount.
  • If the result is less than $20, the weekly benefit is set to $20; if it exceeds $450, the weekly benefit is capped at $450.
  • The final weekly benefit is payable for up to 26 weeks.

Worked example

Quarters of $10,500 and $9,500: ($10,500 + $9,500) ÷ 46 = $435 — a weekly benefit of $435 for up to 26 weeks ($11,310 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Delaware?

The maximum weekly benefit is $450, increased in 2024 from the previous $400 cap.

How many weeks of benefits can I receive in Delaware?

Eligible claimants can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks.

How does Delaware calculate my weekly unemployment benefit?

Delaware adds the wages from your two highest‑earning quarters, divides that sum by 46, then applies the $20 minimum and $450 maximum to determine the weekly amount.

What wage information do I need to provide for the calculation?

You must supply the total wages you earned in your highest‑earning quarter and in your second‑highest quarter.

What recent change should Delaware claimants be aware of?

In 2024 the state raised the weekly benefit maximum from $400 to $450, the highest level since the formula was adopted.

Is the calculation different in Wilmington, Dover or Newark?

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

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