How Are Benefit Amounts Calculated?

Benefit Amounts are based on your past wages and current income. If your application is approved, you will be eligible to get a weekly benefit amount (WBA). The maximum weekly benefit amount that anyone in Nebraska can receive is 2025 is $546. 

WBA is calculated using information about:

• Your past wages and how many dependents you have. Generally, your WBA is identifying the calendar quarter during your base period when you earned the most wages. Your wages from that quarter are divided by 13 - then divided by 2 and rounded down to the next even dollar amount to arrive at your weekly benefit amount (up to the maximum).
• Your current income and debts. We may reduce your benefits if you have any of the following:
  • Workers' compensation pay
  • Vacation pay
  • Pensions
  • Severance pay
  • Other earnings (such as if you work part-time)
  • Court-ordered child support obligations
  • Past-due federal or state taxes
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) debt

The total benefit amount you can get during your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit amount, or one - third of your total base period wages, whichever is less.