Kentucky Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Kentucky weekly unemployment benefit. Kentucky's maximum is $720/week for up to 26 weeks. Results are estimates — Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance makes the official determination.
Estimate My Weekly Benefit
This is an estimate only. Your actual benefit depends on your specific base period wages, employer records, and Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance's determination. File your claim to get the official amount.
File your Kentucky claim at Kentucky Career Center UI →Kentucky unemployment benefits: what you need to know
Kentucky offers a relatively high maximum weekly benefit for a Southern state. Coal and manufacturing displaced workers are a significant claimant group. The state has a standard 26-week maximum duration.
Kentucky pays a maximum of $720/week and a minimum of $39/week. Your amount is set by your base-period earnings, capped at the state maximum.
Up to 26 weeks under standard conditions. At the maximum rate, that is about $18,720 total.
Kentucky has a one-week unpaid waiting period. File and certify for it anyway — payment begins the following eligible week.
3 contacts per week must be documented to stay eligible. Keep a dated log.
Kentucky Unemployment FAQ
How much unemployment can I get in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the maximum weekly benefit is $720 and the minimum is $39. Your actual weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period (typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). Use the estimator above to get an approximate figure, then confirm the exact amount with Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance after you file.
How long do unemployment benefits last in Kentucky?
Kentucky provides up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits under standard conditions. If you exhaust regular benefits, ask Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance whether any extended programs are currently active.
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky imposes a one-week unpaid waiting period. You still need to file and certify for that week, but it is not paid. Payments begin from the second eligible week.
How many job search contacts are required each week in Kentucky?
Kentucky requires 3 work search contacts per week to remain eligible while collecting benefits. Keep a dated log of each activity (employer name, date, method of contact) in case Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance audits your claim.
How do I file an unemployment claim in Kentucky?
File with Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance online at https://kcc.ky.gov/ or by phone at 502-564-2900. Have your Social Security number, employer information for the last 18 months, reason for separation, and bank details for direct deposit ready. File the same week you lose your job — most states pay from the week you file, not the week your job ended.