Unemployment Estimate

All states

Unemployment benefits in District of Columbia

$444Maximum weekly benefit

$444 a week12

The details

How the weekly amount is figured
Based on the highest amount you earned in one quarter during the base period.2
Maximum weeks
A standard 26 weeks of benefits.1
Waiting week
A one week waiting period, generally the first week of your claim, is not paid.2
Base period
A 12 month period whose dates depend on when your first full claim week falls.2

The sources we read do not say: minimum weekly benefit, how to apply.

DOES pages give no effective date or minimum. The US DOL January 2026 table lists a $50 minimum and $444 maximum.

Sources

  1. Frequently Asked Questions, DC Department of Employment Services, checked 2 November 2026
  2. Information for Claimants, DC Department of Employment Services, checked 2 November 2026

Checked 2 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source used only because the official page could not be read.