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Unemployment calculator  →  Connecticut

Connecticut Unemployment Calculator (2026)

If you lose your job in Connecticut, unemployment benefits in 2026 range from $44 to $721 a week, and a dependents allowance can raise the top amount to $796. Everyone who qualifies gets the same duration: a flat 26 weeks of benefits.

Data verified 2026-07-04Source: US DOL + state statuteEffective 2026-01-01
Weekly benefit range
$44 – $721
Duration
26 weeks
Formula
avg of two highest quarters ÷ 26
Apply with
Connecticut's unemployment agency official
The actual rule

How Connecticut calculates it

Connecticut looks at your two highest-earning quarters in your base period, averages them, and divides by 26. Say you earned $13,000 in each of your two best quarters. Your average is $13,000, and $13,000 divided by 26 gives you a weekly benefit of $500.

The weekly benefit is at least $44 and at most $721. If you have dependents, Connecticut adds $15 per dependent for up to 5 dependents. That can bring the minimum to $88 and the maximum to $796. The dependents allowance can never be more than your base weekly benefit. Construction workers use a slightly different formula: 1/26 of the single highest quarter.

Connecticut pays a uniform 26 weeks to everyone who qualifies, regardless of how much you earned. To qualify money-wise, your total base-period wages must be at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount.

avg of two highest quarters ÷ 26, clamped to $44 – $721
Source: US DOL “Significant Provisions of State UI Laws” (Jan 2026) + state statute · verified 2026-07-04

Dependents: $15 per dependent, up to 5

Qualifying

Do you qualify in Connecticut?

To qualify for benefits in Connecticut, you need enough past earnings: your total wages during the base period must equal at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount. Beyond the wage test, you generally must have lost your job through no fault of your own, be able and available to work, and be actively looking for a new job while you collect benefits. The state agency makes the final call on every claim.

Maximum total benefit: N/A (uniform duration).

Common questions

Connecticut unemployment, in plain language

How much unemployment will I get in Connecticut? +
In 2026, Connecticut pays between $44 and $721 a week, based on your past wages. If you have dependents, you can receive $15 more per dependent (up to 5), which raises the possible maximum to $796 a week.
How long does unemployment last in Connecticut? +
Connecticut pays a flat 26 weeks to everyone who qualifies. Unlike some states, the duration does not shrink if you earned less. Extensions may exist during periods of high unemployment, but the standard program is 26 weeks.
How is the weekly benefit calculated in Connecticut? +
Connecticut averages your two highest-earning quarters and divides by 26. For example, if your two best quarters were $13,000 each, your weekly benefit would be about $500. Construction workers use 1/26 of the single highest quarter instead. The result is capped between $44 and $721 before any dependents allowance.
Does Connecticut pay extra for dependents? +
Yes. Connecticut adds $15 per dependent to your weekly benefit, for up to 5 dependents ($75 max). The allowance cannot exceed your base weekly benefit. With the maximum allowance, the top weekly payment is $796 in 2026.
Can I work part-time and still get unemployment in Connecticut? +
Yes, you can earn some money and keep partial benefits. Connecticut disregards one-third of your gross wages for the week; earnings beyond that reduce your weekly benefit. If you earn too much, you get no benefit for that week. Report all work and earnings when you file your weekly claim.
Who qualifies for unemployment in Connecticut? +
You need base-period wages of at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount. You also generally need to have lost your job through no fault of your own, and you must be able to work, available for work, and actively job searching. Connecticut's unemployment agency reviews each claim and makes the final decision.
Is unemployment taxable in Connecticut? +
Yes, unemployment benefits count as taxable income on your federal tax return. You can ask to have federal income tax withheld from your payments by filing Form W-4V. State tax treatment varies, so check with a tax professional or your state tax agency. This is general information, not tax advice.
What if my unemployment claim in Connecticut is denied? +
You have the right to appeal a denial. Deadlines are usually short, so act quickly after you receive the decision. Check with Connecticut's unemployment agency for the exact steps and time limits, and keep filing your weekly claims while the appeal is pending.
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