Kentucky (KY) Career Center Unemployment Benefit Program – Latest News and 2023 Updates After Pandemic Benefits Expiry

The Kentucky Career Center (KCC) Unemployment manages the states’ unemployment insurance program, systems and benefit processing/payments.

With the expiry the pandemic unemployment programs, only traditional/regular state unemployment is available for full or partial unemployment claims. The table below provides key details on the latest unemployment benefits and qualifying wage requirements.

[2023 Update] Unemployed workers in Kentucky will only be eligible 12 weeks of benefits, instead of the 26 weeks as was the case in 2022. This was due to new legislation passed by the general assembly (House Bill 4, get people back to work) that tied the number of weeks of benefits payable to the unemployment rate, which is at record lows.

KY Max Unemployment Benefit Weeks
KY Max Unemployment Benefit Weeks

How Much Unemployment Can I Get?

You will need to submit a claim or certify your application via the state’s unemployment website (see section below on filing a claim) to get your actual weekly benefit amount.

Note that to qualify for unemployment, your job or hours worked loss will generally need to be involuntary. I.e. through no fault of your own or via directly quitting. Your job and wages must also have been paid/covered by an employer or source that deducted unemployment insurance taxes per state law (see your paycheck).

Further if you are being paid severance via a layoff or able to use sick leave or paid vacation, you cannot claim unemployment.

You will also need to certify for benefits at regular intervals (weekly or bi-weekly), demonstrate ongoing work availability and evidence of job search requirements to keep getting weekly unemployment benefits.

Weekly Unemployment Available with Dependents (Min – Max)$39 – $626  (Actual WBA = 1.1923% of your base period wages up to maximum)
Max number of Weeks covered in Benefit Year12 (was 26 in 2022, but changed for 2023)
Minimum Qualifying Income over Base Period At least $1500 in one of the 4 quarters of base period (2022 Taxable Wage Base will remain to $10,800 per worker)

Why is my weekly benefit payment lower than the maximum amount?

Your actual weekly benefit amount (WBA) is the amount of money your state agency has determined you and your dependents may receive for regular unemployment insurance after filing a claim. This can change weekly based on your certification or claim for benefits.

Your actual WBA is based on the amount that you earned over the states pre-defined base or alternate wage period, which are generally based on four out of the last five completed calendar quarters spanning 12 to 18 months.

The higher your earnings, the higher your approved WBA will be, up to the maximum amount allowed in the state. All earnings must be subject to UI tax (covered employment) to be eligible for factoring into your benefit determination.

Any part time or temporary earnings from employment or other activities during eligible weeks you are claiming and certifying for benefits, will potentially reduce the amount of benefits you may get.

Also note that that your state UI agency may deduct overpayments and court-ordered child support from your weekly payment. This will reduce your WBA.

What if I worked or lived in another state?

If you worked or lived in another state during the base year, you should file your unemployment benefits claim in the state you worked in and where your wages were reported. Not where you reside at the time of claim. You can file a claim in multiple states.

Your claim will be paid and governed by laws of that state in which you applied for. You will need to report this on your state and federal income taxes per form 1099-G issued by the state’s UI agency.

Claimants will also need to apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their benefit year.

Subscribe via email or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube to get the latest news and updates

2 thoughts on “Kentucky (KY) Career Center Unemployment Benefit Program – Latest News and 2023 Updates After Pandemic Benefits Expiry”

Leave a Comment