Unemployment Compensation
Max Weekly Benefit Amt.
Max Weeks of Benefits
Max Benefit Amount
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) runs the Unemployment Insurance program. The program helps temporarily unemployed Colorado workers make ends meet by disbursing unemployment benefits to them every two weeks for until they can find new work. If you are eligible for unemployment compensation, you could receive up to $568 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks per calendar year. Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) will be paid into your bank account via direct deposit or through a special Visa debit card called the ReliaCard®, issued by U.S. Bank.
You must have earned at least $2,500 during your base period to qualify for unemployment compensation. Your base period is the earliest four out of five calendar quarters before you filed for unemployment compensation. If you’re eligible to receive benefits, you could receive 50 to 60 percent of the average weekly wage you earned during your base period.
You can estimate how much your WBA and maximum benefit payment might be, but the best way to know for sure is to apply for unemployment insurance benefits with accurate information.
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Calculating Colorado Unemployment Benefit Amounts
Determine Your Weekly Benefit Amount
The CDLE uses two methods to calculate your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA). You will receive whichever amount is higher.
- Add up the wages you earned during the two quarters in your base period where you earned the most income. Divide the sum by 26, then multiply that number by 0.6. Using this formula, the maximum amount you can receive is $516 per week and cannot be less than $25.
- Take your total income for the entire base period. Divide that sum by 52, then divide the total by 2. The maximum WBA using this formula is $568 and the minimum is $25.
Use this estimator to determine your approximate benefit amount
Determine Your Maximum Benefit Amount
Your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is the amount you are eligible to collect over a benefit year. A benefit year is the 52-week period set from the date you file your initial claim to collect unemployment insurance benefits in Colorado. Determine your MBA by multiplying your weekly benefit amount by 26.
Example: WBA = $233
$233 X 26 = $6,058 MBA