Basics

• Regarding weekly unemployment benefits, the maximum amount available in Wisconsin as of 2011 is $363. Usually, you may claim unemployment benefits for 26 weeks. Thus the highest amount of total benefits an unemployed person can receive in the state is $9,438. You could claim this amount over the span of a year if you choose --- by not filing for benefits some weeks --- but you can receive only 26 payments.
  
  

Calculation

• The key to determining your eligibility for maximum unemployment benefits in Wisconsin is the amount of your earnings from recent work. Specifically, the state tallies your wages from your base period --- the first four calendar quarters of the five most recently finished quarters prior to your claim. While your total base period earnings determine your eligibility for benefits, the wages from your highest-earning quarter determine your weekly benefit amount. The state takes 4 percent of your high-quarter earnings and sends you that amount each week. To receive the maximum $363 weekly rate, you must have earned at least $9,075 in your high quarter.
  
  

Considerations

• In 2011, you can receive additional unemployment benefits through a federal program after you exhaust state benefits. With federal benefits added on, Wisconsin residents may receive unemployment benefits for up to 86 weeks as of March 2011. With this duration in effect, your total benefit amount at the maximum rate would be $31,218. The federal emergency program is due to begin phasing out at the end of 2011, after which the benefits duration would revert to 26 weeks without a reauthorization of federal funds.
  
  

Comparison

• Most states use roughly the same formula to determine weekly benefit rates. Outside Wisconsin, though, the most common formula is 1/26 of high-quarter earnings. That comes out to 3.8 percent compared with 4 percent in Wisconsin, so Wisconsin residents have a slightly easier time qualifying for the maximum amount. Overall, Wisconsin's weekly rates are not as generous as those of some states. As of 2010, more than 30 states allowed some residents to receive more than $400 in weekly benefits.