Use the calculator to estimate your Pennsylvania weekly benefit rate amount (WBR) for unemployment compensation. The calculator was last updated in March 2020.

You can also learn more about what you will need to file for unemployment in Pennsylvania.

Calculator

Instructions and details are included below the calculator. The calculator will auto-update as you enter information.

The calculator is for informational purposes only and cannot file any claim for benefits on your behalf. Furthermore, this calculator is not endorsed by any government agency and cannot guarantee eligibility or benefits.

Pennsylvania Weekly Benefit Rate Calculator: Instructions and Explanations

Date Claim Filed

Enter the date that you filed your claim (or will file your claim) for unemployment.

Pennsylvania will usually consider your claim effective as of Sunday of the same week that you file. This affects which quarterly earnings are considered as your base period (see below) when calculating your weekly benefit rate (WBR).

Pennsylvania also generally requires ongoing biweekly claims to maintain benefits.

Base Period: Calendar Quarters | Wages Earned

Enter your total wage earnings for each of the four calendar quarters listed, which are the first four of the most recent five completed calendar quarters.

The quarter with the highest earnings will then be used to calculate your WBR.

# of Weeks Worked During Preceding Quarters

Select the number of calendar weeks (Sunday through Saturday) that you worked during the preceding quarters listed above. These are your “credit weeks.” You must have earned at least $116 in a week for that week to count.

You must have worked at least 18 weeks to qualify for benefits. Your maximum benefit amount (MBA) is also affected by your credit weeks.

Dependent Spouse

Select if you have a dependent spouse who is wholly or chiefly supported by you and lives in your household.

Dependent Children

Select the number of your dependent children who are wholly or chiefly supported by you, unmarried, and either (a) under 18 years of age, or (b) disabled and unable to work.

Pennsylvania Weekly Benefit Rate Calculator: Results

Estimated Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR)

The calculator returns your estimated WBR based on your highest quarterly earnings during the base period. You receive an additional $5/week for a dependent spouse, an additional $5/week for your first dependent child, and an additional $3/week for your second dependent child). The maximum additional amount you can receive based on dependents is capped at $8/week.

The maximum WBR is $572 for highest quarterly earnings of $14,538+, if you are single. If you have a dependent spouse and/or children, your maximum WBR is $580.

Your highest quarterly earnings cannot exceed 63% of your total wages earned during the four qualifying quarters.

You must have at least 18 credit weeks in the four qualifying quarters in order to receive benefits.

The calculator will return an estimated weekly benefit rate of $0, if it appears that you do not meet the eligibility requirements described above.

Your WBR may be reduced by other compensation that you receive and certain mandated payments, such as delinquent child support payments.

Total Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)

The calculator indicates your total maximum benefit amount for unemployment benefits.

Your MBA is your credit weeks (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) multiplied by your WBR.

Although the calculator does not take this into account, your MBA may be reduced by other payments received as well as other factors.

Maximum # of Weeks

The maximum number of weeks for which you can receive your WBR is 52 weeks.

File a Claim in Pennsylvania

The following link will let you start the online process to file a claim for benefits. Unemployment compensation benefits are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Office of Unemployment Compensation, the state government agency that helps Pennsylvanian job seekers and workers.

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