{
  "slug": "unemployment-calculator-north-carolina",
  "title": "North Carolina Unemployment Benefits Calculator",
  "heading": "North Carolina Unemployment Weekly Benefit Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/unemployment-calculator-north-carolina",
  "summary": "Estimates your weekly unemployment benefit amount in North Carolina.",
  "description": "Estimates a weekly unemployment benefit amount (WBA) in North Carolina using an approximation of the state's real method: roughly the base-period wages ÷ 52, then clamps the result between the state's statutory minimum and maximum (both editable here since these dollar figures are updated periodically by the state workforce agency). This is an estimate only, not legal advice — actual awards depend on the specific court, county guideline worksheets, and judicial discretion, and a judge may deviate from the guideline for good cause.",
  "formula": "Estimated WBA = clamp(highest-quarter wages ÷ 52, state minimum, state maximum) — approximating North Carolina's method: roughly the base-period wages ÷ 52.",
  "dateModified": "2026-01-15",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=unemployment-calculator-north-carolina",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "highestQuarterWages",
      "label": "Highest-earning quarter wages in your base period",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 12000,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "min",
      "label": "State minimum weekly benefit (editable)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "max",
      "label": "State maximum weekly benefit (editable)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 350,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "wba",
      "label": "Estimated weekly benefit amount",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "raw",
      "label": "Unclamped calculation",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "annualMax",
      "label": "Approx. total if paid 26 weeks",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Highest-earning quarter wages in your base period: 12000 $",
      "State minimum weekly benefit (editable): 15 $",
      "State maximum weekly benefit (editable): 350 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Estimated weekly benefit amount: $231",
      "Unclamped calculation: $231",
      "Approx. total if paid 26 weeks: $6,000"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter highest-earning quarter wages in your base period ($).",
      "Enter state minimum weekly benefit (editable) ($).",
      "Enter state maximum weekly benefit (editable) ($).",
      "Read your estimated weekly benefit amount on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 7200,
        "min": 9,
        "max": 210
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 12000,
        "min": 15,
        "max": 350
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 19200,
        "min": 24,
        "max": 560
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How is the North Carolina unemployment weekly benefit calculated?",
      "a": "North Carolina uses roughly the base-period wages ÷ 52, then applies the statutory minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why is North Carolina's maximum duration so short?",
      "a": "North Carolina caps unemployment duration at a sliding scale tied to the state's unemployment rate (as low as 12 weeks), one of the shortest maximum durations in the country, in addition to a comparatively low maximum weekly benefit."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does this include a dependent allowance?",
      "a": "Not unless noted above — several states (including Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) add a flat or percentage dependent allowance on top of the base weekly benefit, which this simplified estimate does not model."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this the official benefit amount?",
      "a": "No — North Carolina's workforce agency calculates your actual WBA from verified wage records; this tool gives a planning estimate only."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/child-support-calculator-north-carolina"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — North Carolina Unemployment Benefits Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/unemployment-calculator-north-carolina)"
}