Neal Caffrey

Calculators

Louisiana

Louisiana Unemployment Calculator: WBA, Eligibility & Duration

Louisiana Unemployment Calculator

Your base period is determined by the date your claim begins.

Your Estimated Benefits

Base Period Used
Estimated Weekly Benefit
Estimated Maximum Benefit Amount
Estimated Duration
This is an estimate. Your actual benefits are determined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) after you file a claim. Benefit amounts are subject to annual changes.

What Is the Louisiana Unemployment Calculator?

The Louisiana Unemployment Calculator is an interactive tool that allows you to enter your wages from the past year and see an estimate of your unemployment benefits.

It calculates:

  • Your base period (the 12-month period used to measure your earnings).
  • Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): The estimated weekly check you might receive.
  • Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA): The total benefits you could collect during your claim.
  • Duration of Benefits: The number of weeks you may be eligible to receive payments.

This gives you a clear snapshot of what to expect before filing an official claim.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator uses the same formulas as the LWC when reviewing claims. Here’s how it processes your data:

  1. Claim Date: You select the date when your unemployment claim begins. This determines your base period.
  2. Quarterly Wages: You enter your wages for four quarters (three-month periods). These represent your earnings history.
  3. Eligibility Check:
    • You must have earned wages in at least two different quarters.
    • Your total wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings.
  4. Benefit Estimate:
    • Weekly benefits range from $10 (minimum) to $275 (maximum).
    • The calculator estimates your total benefits, usually capped at about 26 weeks or until you reach the maximum benefit amount.

If you don’t qualify under the Standard Base Period, the calculator also lets you check eligibility using the Alternate Base Period (which shifts the timeline back one quarter).

Why Use the Louisiana Unemployment Calculator?

Filing for unemployment can feel overwhelming. The calculator gives you peace of mind by showing:

  • If you are likely to qualify.
  • How much money to expect per week.
  • The total you could receive over time.
  • How many weeks of benefits may be available.

This way, you’re not left guessing while waiting for your official claim to process.

Step-by-Step: Using the Calculator

Here’s how to try it yourself:

  1. Enter your claim start date.
    • The calculator automatically sets today’s date, but you can adjust it.
  2. Fill in your wages.
    • Enter your earnings for each of the four quarters shown.
  3. Click “Calculate Estimate.”
    • You’ll instantly see your weekly benefit, total possible benefits, and duration.
  4. Review your results.
    • If you’re ineligible under the standard base period, you may be prompted to enter past wages to test the alternate base period.

There’s also a Reset button if you need to start over.

Important Notes

  • This is only an estimator. Your actual benefits will be calculated by the Louisiana Workforce Commission after filing.
  • Benefit amounts may change from year to year due to updates in state law.
  • You should still file a claim even if the calculator shows “ineligible.” LWC will make the final decision.