Florida Unemployment Calculator
Your base period is determined by the date your claim begins.
Your Estimated Benefits
What Is the Florida Unemployment Calculator?
The Florida Unemployment Calculator is a free online tool that helps you estimate:
- Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) — how much you may receive each week.
- Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) — the total amount you may receive during your claim.
- Duration — how many weeks you might receive payments.
It uses official FloridaCommerce rules and math to give you a personalized estimate—based on your wages from the base period. It does not file a claim for you but helps you get clarity before you apply.
How the Calculator Works (No Guesswork)
The tool uses your claim start date and wages earned over the last 12-18 months to calculate benefits. Here’s how it works behind the scenes:
Step 1: Enter Your Claim Start Date
This sets your base period, which is the 12 months used to determine your eligibility and benefit amounts. Florida uses the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the date you file.
Step 2: Enter Your Wages by Quarter
You’ll input wages from four quarters. The calculator updates the labels (like “Jan–Mar 2024”) automatically, based on your claim date.
Step 3: Hit “Calculate Estimate”
The tool runs the numbers instantly using Florida’s rules and shows your estimated:
- Weekly benefit
- Total payout
- Duration
If you’re ineligible, it will explain why.
What You Need to Use the Calculator
To use the Florida Unemployment Calculator, you need just two things:
- Your Claim Start Date
This is usually the day you plan to file. - Your Wages from the Last Year
Break them down by quarter. If you’re unsure, check:- Pay stubs
- W-2s
- Employer payroll info
How Your Benefits Are Calculated in Florida
Florida’s benefit rules are strict, but easy to understand. Here’s how the calculator applies them:
Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
- Your highest quarter wages are divided by 26.
- The result is capped between $32 and $275 per week.
Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)
- 25% of your total base period wages.
- Capped at $6,325 total.
Duration
- Determined by dividing your MBA by your WBA.
- Florida typically allows up to 23 weeks of benefits.
Example:
If your highest quarter was $5,200:$5,200 ÷ 26 = $200/week(your WBA)
If total base period wages were $20,800:$20,800 × 0.25 = $5,200(your MBA)$5,200 ÷ $200 = 26 weeks(duration, may be capped)
But if your wages or work history don’t meet state requirements, you won’t qualify—and the calculator will explain that too.
Eligibility Rules to Know
The calculator checks if you meet Florida’s three key rules:
- Total wages must be at least $3,400 during the base period.
- You must have earned wages in at least two quarters.
- Total wages must be at least 1.5x your highest quarter.
If you don’t meet these, the result will say “Ineligible” and tell you why.
What the Tool Looks Like (Simple UI)
The calculator’s layout is clean and mobile-friendly:
- Date picker for your claim date
- Four input boxes for quarterly wages
- Two buttons: Reset and Calculate
- Results area with clear dollar estimates
- An easy-to-read disclaimer
It’s built with responsive HTML, styled in CSS, and powered by JavaScript—so everything updates instantly in your browser.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator gives an estimate only. The actual benefit amount is determined by FloridaCommerce after you apply. The state does not use an alternate base period, so if your recent wages are missing from the standard base period, they won’t count.
Why Use the Calculator?
Here’s what makes it worth using:
- Know your potential payout before applying
- Save time and avoid filing if ineligible
- Spot any wage gaps or issues
- Plan your finances with more clarity
Whether you’re between jobs, recently laid off, or preparing to file, this tool puts you in control.
Try It Now
Want to get your estimate? Use the Florida Unemployment Calculator right on this page. Just input your claim start date and wages, then click “Calculate Estimate.”
No login. No hassle. Just quick answers.
