StateTally

Louisiana Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced that, after the state trust fund crossed the $1.15 billion trigger, the weekly unemployment maximum rose to $282 on Jan. 1, 2026. Benefits are calculated at 1/25 of your average quarterly wage, never less than $35, and are payable for up to 12 weeks under the current sub‑5% unemployment rate—no extra allowance for dependents.

Reviewed 2026-09-11 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice. Figures pending final verification against the current statute/schedule. · Ver esta página en español

Everything you earned in the base period (first four of the last five completed quarters), before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Louisiana Workforce Commission — unemployment insurance benefit rights information — La. R.S. 23:1592, 23:1474(I) and 23:1595 (Act 412 of 2024); LWC Benefit Rights Information (Rev. 05/2026).

How Louisiana calculates it

  • Calculate your total base‑period wages and divide by 4 to get the average quarterly wage.
  • Multiply that average by 1/25 (or divide the total wages by 25) to get the raw weekly benefit.
  • Apply the statutory floor of $35 and the cap of $282; the benefit cannot be lower or higher.
  • Benefits are payable for up to 12 weeks when the three‑month statewide unemployment rate is 5% or lower.
  • If the rate rises, add one extra week for each half‑point increase, up to a maximum of 20 weeks at 8.5% or more.

Worked example

Total base-year earnings of $30,000: 1.00% × $30,000 = $300, capped at $282 — a weekly benefit of $282 for up to 12 weeks ($3,384 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

How much can I receive per week in Louisiana unemployment benefits?

The weekly benefit is 1/25 of your average base‑period quarterly wage, but it will never be less than $35 or more than $282.

How long will I be eligible for benefits under the current unemployment rate?

At Louisiana’s current sub‑5% rate, new claims receive up to 12 weeks of benefits. The duration slides upward with higher rates, adding a week for each half‑point increase, up to 20 weeks at 8.5% or higher.

Why did the weekly maximum increase to $282 in 2026?

The cap rose from $275 to $282 on Jan. 1, 2026 because the state unemployment trust fund exceeded the $1.15 billion trigger set out in La. R.S. 23:1474.

Do dependents affect my unemployment benefit amount?

No. Louisiana’s unemployment formula does not include any allowance for dependents.

What happens if my calculated weekly benefit exceeds the $282 cap?

The benefit is reduced to the statutory maximum of $282 per week, as illustrated in the worked example.

Is the calculation different in New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Shreveport?

No. Benefits are set by the Louisiana Workforce Commission under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Louisiana. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

Embed this calculator

Attorneys, HR teams, and publishers: add this calculator to your own site free — copy the snippet below. Keep the credit line under the calculator: it links your readers to the source and its review date.

Unemployment by city in Louisiana

Louisiana applies one rule statewide, so the numbers do not change by city. These pages name the county court that actually hears the case and run the same verified formula.

New Orleans · Baton Rouge · Shreveport · Lafayette · Lake Charles · Kenner · Bossier City · Monroe · Alexandria · Houma · Central · Slidell · New Iberia · Hammond · Ruston · every city we cover

More calculators

Cite this page

Using these figures in an article, brief or report? Copy a citation — the link keeps readers on the source and its review date.

StateTally. (2026). Louisiana Unemployment Calculator 2026: up to $282/week. Retrieved September 17, 2026, from https://statetally.com/unemployment/louisiana/