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Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development administers unemployment insurance under Wis. Stat. §108.05, where the weekly benefit is set at 4% of your highest‑earning base‑period quarter (wages ÷ 25) but never less than $54 or more than $370 – a cap that has stayed unchanged since 2014. A 2025 bill (AB 532) to raise the ceiling to $497 cleared committee but had not become law by 2026.

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

The 3-month calendar quarter of your base period in which you earned the most, before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development — unemployment insurance — Wis. Stat. § 108.05; Wisconsin DWD.

How Wisconsin calculates it

  • Take the total wages you earned in your highest‑earning quarter of the base period.
  • Divide that amount by 25 – this yields 4% of the quarter’s wages.
  • If the result is below $54, the weekly benefit is raised to the $54 minimum.
  • If the result exceeds $370, the weekly benefit is capped at $370.
  • The approved weekly amount can be paid for up to 26 weeks.

Worked example

Highest quarter wages of $7,500: $7,500 ÷ 25 = $300, which is within the $54–$370 bounds, so the weekly benefit is $300 for up to 26 weeks ($7,800 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Wisconsin?

The maximum weekly benefit is $370, regardless of how high your quarter wages are.

Is there a minimum weekly benefit amount?

Yes. If the calculation falls below $54, the weekly benefit is set at $54.

How many weeks can I receive unemployment benefits in Wisconsin?

Benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks during a claim year.

Did Wisconsin raise its unemployment benefit cap recently?

No. The $370 cap has been unchanged since 2014; a 2025 bill to raise it to $497 passed committee but was not enacted as of 2026.

What information do I need to calculate my weekly benefit?

You only need the total wages you earned in your highest‑earning quarter of the base period.

Is the calculation different in Milwaukee, Madison or Green Bay?

No. Benefits are set by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Wisconsin. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

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