South Dakota Unemployment Calculator: WBA, Eligibility & Duration

What Is the South Dakota Unemployment Calculator?

The South Dakota Unemployment Calculator is an online tool designed to give you a realistic estimate of your unemployment insurance (UI) benefits.

It is not an official claim filing system. Instead, it helps you:

• Check if you may qualify.
• See how much you might receive each week.
• Understand the maximum amount of benefits you could collect.
• Estimate how many weeks you can expect payments.

Your final benefit amount will always be determined by the South Dakota DLR after reviewing your official claim.

What You’ll Need to Use the Calculator

To get an accurate estimate, you’ll need:

1. Your claim start date – This is the date you file for unemployment. The calculator uses it to set your “base period.”
2. Quarterly wages – Your earnings from the past four quarters (one year). You’ll enter wages for each quarter separately.

The calculator automatically updates the labels for “Quarter 1,” “Quarter 2,” and so on, based on your claim start date. This makes it easy to match the right time periods with your pay history.

How the Calculator Works

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

1. Base Period Selection
   • South Dakota uses the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim.
   • The calculator sets this automatically when you enter your claim start date.
2. Wage Requirements
   • You must have at least $850 in your highest earning quarter.
   • You also need enough wages outside your highest quarter—at least 30 times your potential weekly benefit.
3. Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
   • Your WBA is usually 1/26 of your highest quarter wages, rounded down.
   • South Dakota sets limits:
     • Minimum WBA: $28
     • Maximum WBA: $514
4. Maximum Benefit Amount
   • The most you can receive in total is either:
     • 26 weeks of benefits at your WBA, or
     • One-third of your total wages during the base period, whichever is smaller.
5. Benefit Duration
   • Benefits last up to 26 weeks, depending on your wages.

Step-by-Step: Using the South Dakota Unemployment Calculator

1. Enter your claim start date.
   • The calculator will adjust the quarter labels for accuracy.
2. Input your wages for each quarter.
   • Example: $4,000 in Quarter 1, $4,500 in Quarter 2, etc.
3. Click “Calculate Estimate.”
   • The tool instantly shows:
     • Estimated Weekly Benefit
     • Maximum Benefit Amount
     • Duration (number of weeks)
4. Review the results.
   • If you don’t meet requirements, the calculator explains why (e.g., not enough wages in high quarter).
5. Reset and re-check if needed.
   • Use the “Reset” button to start fresh.

Why Use the Calculator?

• Clarity before filing – Know what to expect before starting your unemployment claim.
• Planning tool – Helps you budget while job hunting.
• Eligibility check – Quickly see if your wages meet South Dakota’s requirements.

Important Notes

• This is only an estimate. Actual benefits are determined by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation after you file.
• South Dakota does not use an alternate base period.
• Filing early is always recommended—delays may cost you benefits.