Example of How Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits are Determined, 2003

© Copyright 2004 by the Wyoming Department of Employment, Research & Planning
WYOMING LABOR FORCE TRENDS
Vol. 41 No. 2

Table 2: Example of How Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits are Determined, 2003

					Total	High	Weekly			Final
	Base Period Wages				Base Period	Quarter	Benefit	Maximum	Maximum	Maximum	Weeks
Worker	Quarter 1	Quarter 2	Quarter 3	Quarter 4	Wage	Wage	Amount^a	Benefit 1^b	Benefit 2^b	Benefit^b	Eligible^c

A	$2,600	$2,400	$2,500	$2,700	$10,200	$2,700	$108	$3,060	$2,808	$2,808	26
B	$350	$600	$2,500	$0	$3,450	$2,500	Ineligible	Ineligible	Ineligible	Ineligible	Ineligible

^aThe weekly benefit is equal to four percent of an individual's high quarter wage or $306 (the maximum amount allowed in 2003), whichever is less. In the example, Worker A would receive four percent of $2,700 or $108. Worker B is ineligible for UI benefits
because the worker does not meet the requirement that a worker's total base period wage must be at least 1.4 times the high quarter wage. In the example, Worker B would have needed to earn at least $3,500 (1.4 * $2,500) to qualify for UI benefits.
^bThe maximum benefit an individual can receive is 30 percent of the worker's base period wage or 26 times the worker's weekly benefit, whichever is less. In the example, 30 percent of Worker A's base period wage is $3,060. Worker A's weekly benefit times
26 is $2,808. Therefore, Worker A's final maximum benefit is $2,808 (the smaller of the two).
^cThe number of weeks an individual is able to receive UI benefits is equal to the maximum benefit divided by the weekly benefit, up to 26 weeks.