Kansas unemployment benefits
In Kansas, unemployment benefits last up to 16 weeks (fewer when the state unemployment rate is low) and pay up to $663 a week (as of July 1, 2026). There is an unpaid waiting week, and you file with the Kansas Department of Labor.
By Justin KullaLast updated
Last verified October 6, 2026 against official sources.
File a claim with the Kansas Department of Labor →
Kansas benefits at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $663source, July 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $165source, July 1, 2026 |
| Maximum weeks of benefits | 16 weeks (10-16 weeks currently; the maximum (16 to 26 weeks) is tied to the average Kansas unemployment rate per DOL Comparison 2023 Table 3-12)source, July 1, 2026 |
| Weeks depend on the state unemployment rate | Yessource, January 1, 2023 |
| Unpaid waiting week | Yessource, October 6, 2026 |
| Severance pay | The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Pay in lieu of notice | Check with the Kansas Department of Labor |
| Work-search requirement | Claimants must complete at least 3 work search activities per week. Registering with employment services, using reemployment services, attending a job-seeking workshop, or taking part in job search activities may count.source, January 1, 2023 |
| Extended benefits | Not available nowsource, October 4, 2026 |
| How to file | the Kansas Department of Laborsource, October 6, 2026 |
Weekly amounts exclude dependents’ allowances. Severance, pay in lieu of notice and work-search entries dated January 1, 2023 come from the Department of Labor’s latest Comparison of State UI Laws, which reflects state law on that date; confirm them with the Kansas Department of Labor.
Severance and unemployment in Kansas
Severance pay: The weekly benefit is reduced by the weekly prorated amount of the payment.
Pay in lieu of notice (including WARN Act pay): Check with the Kansas Department of Labor.
File as soon as you are out of work even if you received severance. The agency decides how payments affect your claim, and most states pay only from the week you file.
Local workforce boards in Kansas
Public workforce boards run American Job Centers, which offer free help with job search, training and benefits.
If you’re a laid-off professional
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws and Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, the DOL Extended Benefits trigger notice, and the Kansas Department of Labor. Where official sources disagree or a figure could not be confirmed, this page says to check with the agency rather than estimate. Rules change; the agency’s decision on your claim is what counts. See our editorial standards.