Kansas Unemployment Benefits Calculator
Kansas unemployment insurance benefits can be a financial lifesaver if you lose your job and meet the eligibility requirements.
The Kansas unemployment calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll get when applying for unemployment compensation. By calculating your weekly benefit amount (WBA), you can get a clear picture of what to expect so you can plan better during times of unemployment.
Note: The maximum weekly benefit amount in Kansas is $589 per week.
Calculating UI Benefits in Kansas
In Kansas, the WBA is determined by looking at your earnings during a specific period known as the base period, which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you applied for benefits.
To calculate your weekly benefit amount, the state of Kansas takes the total wages you earned during your highest-earning quarter and multiplies it by 4.25%. The WBA is always rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Example 1:
Let’s say from April to June 2023, you earned $10,000, and in all other quarters of your base period, you earned $9,000. To find your WBA, multiply $10,000 by 0.0425, which gives you $425.
$10,000 x 0.0425 = $425
Since there are no cents to round down, your WBA would be $425.
Example 2:
If you earned $5,000 in your highest-earning quarter, the calculation would be $5,000 multiplied by 0.0425, equalling $212.50. You’d then round this down to the nearest dollar, making your WBA $212.
$5,000 x 0.0425 = $212 (rounded down)
There are limits on the WBA. In Kansas, the maximum WBA is $589, while the minimum is $147. The minimum is always 25% of the maximum.
More examples:
- If you make $100 per week in Kansas, your estimated weekly benefit is $55 for up to 16 weeks.
- If you make $300 per week in Kansas, your estimated weekly benefit is $167 for up to 16 weeks.
- If you make $500 per week in Kansas, your estimated weekly benefit is $279 for up to 16 weeks.
- If you make $1000 per week in Kansas, your estimated weekly benefit is $559 for up to 16 weeks.
- If you make $1500 per week in Kansas, your estimated weekly benefit is $589 for up to 16 weeks.
Understanding the base period
Earnings during your base period are actually used for two purposes. Not only are your wages used to calculate your weekly benefit amount, but the base period is also used to determine your eligibility for UI benefits.
In Kansas, you must have been paid wages at least 30 times your WBA during your base period in order to qualify.
Example
Suppose you worked in two quarters during your base period, earning $2,500 in each. Your total base period wages would be $5,000.
The first thing to do is calculate your WBA: $2,500 x 0.0425 = $106 (rounded down)
Now let’s multiply your WBA by 30:
$106 x 30 = $3,180
In this case, you would qualify for benefits because your total base period wages of $5,000 are more than the required $3,180 (30 times the WBA).
If you don’t qualify, an alternate base period may be used. The alternate base period is the last four completed calendar quarters.
Issues that can affect your weekly unemployment compensation
Some financial issues can affect how much you will be paid. Child support, pensions, vacation pay, and part time work can affect your WBA. Each week, you are required to file a weekly claim, which involves performing work search activities and reporting all income earned during the week. It’s important to be honest when reporting income, otherwise it’s considered Kansas unemployment fraud.
Part-Time Work and UI Benefits
You are allowed to work part-time and still get unemployment benefits, under certain conditions. If you work less than full-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you could still qualify for partial benefits.
In Kansas, you can earn up to 25% of your WBA without affecting your unemployment payments. If you go beyond that, your additional earnings will be subtracted from your benefits, dollar for dollar. Always report your gross pay, not your take-home amount.
Impact of Other Income on UI Benefits
Other income like vacation or holiday pay can affect your unemployment benefits. If you get any bonus, separation pay, or similar forms of income, it could reduce or delay your WBA.
You need to report these when you’re filing your weekly claims or initially applying for unemployment. Also, if you’re receiving a retirement pension from the same job that qualifies you for unemployment benefits, your WBA may be reduced. This can include military, private employer, and other types of pensions. However, Social Security benefits don’t impact your WBA.
Child Support
If you owe court-ordered child support and are behind on payments, the Kansas Department for Children and Families will take action. They will initially seize 50% of your unemployment benefits each week to cover the arrears. For more information, you can contact the Child Support Call Center at (888) 757-2445.
Note that the Kansas Department of Labor won’t be able to answer questions about child support cases.
Understanding these rules can help you calculate your potential benefits more accurately and avoid unpleasant surprises. Keep in mind that all wages must be reported during the week they’re earned to remain eligible for unemployment compensation.
Payment Process and Timing for UI Benefits
Getting Paid
To receive unemployment benefits, you need to file a weekly claim for each week you seek benefits. If you meet all the eligibility requirements, you’ll receive a Visa debit card by mail through which your payments will be disbursed. You can also set up direct deposit by providing your bank account number and routing number.
Typically, you’ll receive your benefits 2 to 3 business days after filing your weekly claim. For example, if you file on Sunday, expect your payment by Wednesday. However, the timing can vary due to holidays or ongoing investigations related to your claim. In case of a delay or issue, keep filing your weekly claims until the issue is resolved.
Are Benefits Taxable?
Yes, your unemployment insurance benefits count as income. You’ll need to report this when filing your federal and state income tax returns.
If you prefer to have taxes automatically taken out of your unemployment benefit, you can fill out specific forms for federal and state tax withholding.
In January, expect to receive IRS Form 1099-G in the mail. This form shows the total amount of unemployment benefits you received in the past year, as reported to the IRS. Keep an eye out for the 1099-G form at the end of the year to make your tax filing easier.