Illinois Unemployment Calculator: WBA, Eligibility & Duration

What Is the Illinois Unemployment Calculator?

The Illinois Unemployment Calculator is a web-based tool that estimates how much you could receive in weekly unemployment benefits. It considers your earnings across four quarters and whether you have dependents like children or a non-working spouse.

You just plug in:

• The start date of your unemployment claim
• Your wages in the last 4 quarters
• Info about dependents

Then click "Calculate Estimate"—and it shows:

• Your Base Period Used
• Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
• Any dependency allowance
• The total amount you might receive
• Estimated benefit duration

Why Base Periods Matter

Illinois uses your earnings history to determine if you're eligible. This is done by looking at your base period—the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before your claim.

Example: If you file in October 2025, your standard base period is July 2024 to June 2025.

If you don’t qualify under the standard base period, the calculator asks you for an alternate quarter's wages, which may still make you eligible.

NLP tip: This structure ensures that the terms “Illinois unemployment base period,” “alternate base period,” and “how to qualify for Illinois unemployment” are embedded naturally.

What Do You Need to Use It?

Here's what to have on hand:

How the Calculator Works Behind the Scenes

The tool uses the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) formulas to calculate eligibility and benefit amount. Here's how it breaks down:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

To qualify, you need to have:

• At least $1,600 total wages in your base period
• At least $440 earned outside your highest quarter

If you don’t meet this, it checks the alternate base period.

Step 2: Calculate Weekly Benefit

Your base weekly benefit (WBA) is about 47% of your average weekly wage, capped at $615. If you have:

• A non-working spouse, it can go up to $731
• Dependent children, up to $831

You’ll also see a dependency allowance, which is the extra you get for family members.

Step 3: Estimate Total Benefit

Most claims last up to 26 weeks. The calculator multiplies your weekly benefit by 26 to estimate your maximum benefit amount.

Example Output:

• Base Weekly Benefit: $420
• Dependency Allowance: +$150
• Total Weekly Benefit: $570
• Maximum Benefit Amount: $14,820
• Duration: Up to 26 weeks

How to Use the Illinois Unemployment Calculator (Step-by-Step)

1. Enter your claim start date
   This determines which quarters count toward your base period.
2. Enter your wages for each quarter
   Use pre-tax earnings. If you're not sure, check pay stubs or W-2s.
3. Add dependent details
   Let the calculator know if you have a non-working spouse or children.
4. Click “Calculate Estimate”
   Your benefit estimate appears in seconds.
5. (Optional): If you're not eligible on the first try, the calculator may ask you to input past wages for an alternate period.

Important Notes & Disclaimers

• This is just an estimate—actual benefit amounts are determined by IDES after you file.
• Benefits and limits are updated yearly, so values may change.
• You must file a claim officially to get approved.

Always double-check with IDES.Illinois.gov for current rates and filing steps.

Pro Tip: What to Do After Estimating

• File your claim with IDES ASAP to lock in your base period.
• Gather documentation—W-2s, pay stubs, past job info.
• If you're not eligible, ask about PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) or other aid programs (availability may vary).