Base Period

• The state of Kansas uses a base period to calculate the weekly benefit amount a claimant will receive as well as in determining eligibility. The state will use the first four of the last five quarters before filing for unemployment in Kansas as the base period.
  
  

Earnings

• Kansas unemployment claimants must be monetarily eligible to receive benefits. Monetary eligibility requires the claimant to have earned a minimum amount to qualify for unemployment insurance. To determine monetary eligibility, the state calculates the claimants weekly benefit amount by multiplying the total earnings in the highest paying quarter by 4.25 percent. To be eligible for compensation, total earnings in the base period must be 30 times the weekly benefit amount. In addition, claimants must have earnings in at least two of the base period quarters.
  
  The minimum weekly benefit amount in Kansas at the time of publication, is $108 and the maximum is $435. Claimants who do not have enough earnings during the base period can still qualify using an alternative base period. The state will calculate earnings during the last four completed calendar quarters prior to filing a claim with the state. Workers who were receiving Worker's Compensation because of an injury in Kansas can qualify for unemployment compensation using the Worker's Compensation base period, which are the four completed calendar quarters before the injury.
  
  

Causes of Unemployment

• The state of Kansas will ask claimants during the initial claim for benefits the reason for unemployment. The state will disqualify claimants who left a position without good cause or were fired for misconduct. Good cause in Kansas can include illness, injury, change in the work agreement, unsafe working conditions, harassment and a spouse's move. Layoffs and a reduction in hours of employment also qualify a claimant for unemployment insurance.
  
  

Work Search Requirements

• While filing weekly claims for unemployment, claimants must actively search for work to remain eligible for compensation. The state can direct unemployment claimants to complete a set number of work search activities each week and disqualify those who do not meet the requirement. The unemployed worker should maintain records of his work search activities to prove he is in compliance.The state can require the claimant provide proof of his work search activities at any time while collecting unemployment benefits.