Kansas Unemployment Benefit Questions

Kansas Unemployment Benefits

How do I qualify for unemployment benefits in Kansas?

You qualify for unemployment benefits in Kansas if you’ve lost your job through no fault of your own and you’ve worked a certain number of hours in the past year. You must also be willing and able to work, and be actively seeking new employment.

How do I apply for Kansas unemployment benefits?

You can apply for unemployment benefits online through the Kansas Department of Labor website. You can also apply by phone but it’s not recommended due to long wait times. You’ll need to provide your employment history, Social Security number, and banking information for direct deposit. After submitting your application, you’ll receive a confirmation notice and further instructions.

How much will I get in unemployment benefits?

The way your weekly benefit amount is calculated depends on your past earnings during your base period. The Kansas DOL takes the total wages you earned during your highest-earning quarter and multiplies it by 4.25%.

What are the Kansas work search requirements?

To collect unemployment benefits each week, you must make at least three job search activities weekly and keep a record of your job search activities. 2 of the activities must be job applications. Failure to do so can result in your benefits being stopped.

How do I get my unemployment insurance payment?

You will receive your payment through direct deposit to your bank account or a prepaid debit card. Payments are made after you file your weekly claim confirming you are still unemployed and looking for work. Make sure your banking information is accurate to avoid delays.

How do I contact the Kansas unemployment office?

You can reach the Kansas unemployment office through the Customer Service number based on where you live. You can also visit a KANSASWORKS Workforce Center in person, but be prepared for potential wait times.

How do I file a weekly claim?

After your initial application is approved, you must file a weekly claim to continue receiving benefits. You can do this online through the Kansas Department of Labor’s website. Weekly claims verify that you are still eligible and actively seeking employment.

What if my benefits are denied?

If your unemployment benefits are denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must submit your appeal in writing within 16 days of receiving the denial notice. After that, you’ll be scheduled for a hearing to present your case.

Do I have to pay taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Yes. Many people don’t realize that unemployment benefits are considered taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later. At the end of the year, you’ll receive a Form 1099-G in the mail, which you’ll need for filing your taxes.

Does Kansas offer extended unemployment benefits?

Kansas may offer extended benefits during times of high unemployment. Otherwise, UI benefits last up to 16 weeks. The Kansas Department of Labor will make a public announcement when the Extended Benefits (EB) program is activated.

  1. In the state of Kansas, if I drew a severance check two months prior to ever filing for unemployment do I need to list such severance when I apply/file a claim?

    • Hi, Norma – yes. Kansas requires that when you file your initial claim, you report any separation, vacation, or holiday pay you have received or will receive in the future.

  2. I took a lead position 6 months ago that has gotten way above the normal stress level people can handle. I asked to be demoted to my original position and was denied twice. I was wrote up this back week and verbally not written gave a notice I said I would type something up and give it to them on Monday. I was called by manager about an hour after I left work and was told he was accepting my resignation it to clean my locker out and turn in my badge over the weekend. Not to come in Monday. Does this mean I was fired? And will I be eligible for benefits?

    • Jennifer,

      I am not sure what it means but it certainly looks like you will be eligible to claim UI benefits since they seem to have fired you without any justification. Please call the Unemployment Office for more information.

  3. I worked at a full time position for nearly 12 years. I left this position for a new job. Things do not seem to be going well at the new job, based primarily around politics. I am not a delinquent employee in any way. I have been employed with this new employer for 1 month. If things do not go well, and I get fired for reasons such as, “I wasn’t a good fit for the job,” will I be able to draw unemployment?

    • Marc,

      There is a thin line between the reason you’ve quoted. Unemployment Insurance benefits are only extended to claimants who lose their job due to involuntary reasons. Please call the Unemployment Office for advice.

  4. I am 72 and work full time and receive social security. The company I work for has been sold. I do now know if I will have a job after September 30. Can I draw unemployment?

    • Wayne,

      You can be eligible to draw UI benefits along with SS. Please make sure to declare the income from SS at the time of application.

  5. I have been at a company for 7 years in retail. In May I stepped on my cat which has led to being off since May 7th, with severe sciatic. I am currently on disability insurance that I have paid for through my work. My employer said retail may not be the thing for me any more and more or less told me I should think about finding a desk job. My question is if I am not better by the time my disability insurance runs out, do you think I possibly could qualify for unemployment. Thank you, Renee

    • Renee,

      Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health conditions are not considered. Please call the Unemployment Office in your state to clarify.

  6. I have worked for my company for 39 years in Kansas. I moved to Arizona this year and was able to continue working full time remotely. They have hired someone to take my place in Kansas and I am being terminated.
    Do I qualify for unemployment? If yes, do I apply for unemployment in Kansas or Arizona?

    • I’ve been at my current full-time position for 7 years. Unfortunately, the company is in financial difficulties, so they’ve been restructuring and down-sizing. Naturally, I’m concerned about my future. In addition, I’ve worked for 4 years part-time one evening per week as an Adjunct Instructor teaching a class at a local Community College. If my full-time employer closes, or lays me off due to lack of work, will I be denied Kansas UI benefits as I teach a class part-time at a school? I understand that you submit your part-time wages with your weekly claims.

    • Linda,

      You may not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons. Please call the Unemployment Office.

  7. My job with the state of Kansas was phased out Will I be able to get unemployment benefits at the same time I’m getting kpers benefits? If so will my unemployment benefit be reduced?

    • Sherry,

      Please note this is a private forum and we would not be able to communicate your new employment to the authorities. You can simply stop making weekly claims and that should take care of it. Please reach out the Claims Center over the telephone for clarification.

  8. I received a termination payment (lump sum and taxed) from a executive deferred compensation plan. I received the payment 2 months after I resigned and I have been receiving unemployment benefits for the same two month period. Is this considered to be a “pension” payment? Do I need to report it? Will my unemployment benefits be affected?

    • Kristy,

      Temporary employment is generally not eligible since employers do not remit relevant taxes into the system. Please check with your employer or call the Unemployment Office for clarification.

  9. I am retired Military (retirement pension $1600 per month), I made $75,000 last year and just laid off. Will Military Retirement affect amount of Unemployment Benefit in my case?

    • Mike,

      The pension received will have a bearing on the UI benefits which includes a possible reduction. To ascertain the nature of the impact, please call the Unemployment Office.

  10. I worked for an information service company in Topeka, Ks for almost 30 years, but in the month of May the CEO of our company flew in from New Jersey (The corporate office is located in New jersey), and we were told they were going to close our office permanently due to economic reasons, and we all were being let go. We are to receive one week of severance for each year of service, then after that ran out, we could apply for unemployment benefits for 14 weeks, then after that ran out we could reapply for another 10 weeks by as told to me by the Vice-Pres. over Human Resources. Is this a true fact or was misleading me, as she should know all the fact related to issue. I have this in printed form, but all my research states it to being not so. Can you clear this matter for me?
    Natalie

    • Natalie,

      After expiry of the “Severance Payout”, you can apply for UI benefits. The number of weeks is determined by multiple factors and cannot be predicted like the V.P did. One can receive “up to” 26 weeks of regular Unemployment Benefits.

  11. I am receiving severance pay, but at a reduced amount over 22 pay periods, instead of normal pay over 11 pay periods. How long should I expect my wait on determination to take? I have received my potential weekly amount, but it is waiting on the Claimant separation paper work as to how much and why I am getting severance.

    • Please wait until the payout is complete and apply for Unemployment Insurance towards the end of it.

      For further questions, please call the Unemployment Office in your state.

  12. Sam – The office will be shutting down and I will be laid off from my position – Do I need to stay in Kansas to collect any benefits ?

    • Not really. You can apply remotely over the phone or the internet.

      You will remain eligible in Kansas as long as you continue looking for employment there.

  13. The project in Kansas that I’m at will be completed in a few months. I have been working at this position for about 4 1/2 years. My question is, Can I receive benefits if I move to Colorado to assist my dad who is getting up in years. I will continue to look for employment in Colorado

    • You will not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.

  14. I applied for unemployments at the end of dec 2016 and on 01/16/2017 I received a letter stated I have been denied..so of course I sent a letter email version appealing
    that…and still haven’t heard anything…so do I get paid from the day after I was fired or when does pay start…

    • You can continue making weekly claims as per the procedure. Only the payments would be on hold until the Appeals Process is completed.

      Please, call the Claims Center on the phone numbers provided for further information.

  15. My spouse works for the railroad and was transferred from Kansas City to Little Rock, AR and so I gave my boss well over two weeks and in fact stayed an additional 3 weeks to help train my replacement. Obviously I can’t live in Kansas and my spouse in AR so I left my job. My claim was denied and said I left my job for no good cause. Does this mean that my employer submitted something to the dept of labor so that I can not receive unemployment benefits or was this something the dept of labor decided on their own? And if my (previous) employer didn’t respond to my claim would I automatically get benefits? I know some states will automatically approve benefits if the employer fails to reply to the inquiry.

    • You will not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.

  16. The business I am currently working for is being sold. The new company has offered me a job, but it’s in another city. If I refuse the job, can I claim benefits.

  17. There are 4 of us, all senior citizens, who have worked for the city a number of years. Our job is being discontinued because the state highway has closed our access road and we cannot meet standards financially in this business, This is no fault of ours. We have just been on minimum wage, Can we file for unemployment?

    • You say that you’re still on “Minimum Wage”. Please explain. If you’re working currently, you will not qualify.

      Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further information.

  18. I recently completed my contract with the Navy and am applying for benefits, but am having issues with the search for previous employers because I can’t figure out what to enter in the search. Everything I have tried has returned no results.

  19. I made 70,000 last year I filled out the unemployment form here in Ks.
    It came back that I was eligible for 474.00 for 16 weeks. It also had on the paper work (YOUR PREVIOUS YEAR BEGAN 9-4-2011) Question is why am i not getting 20 or 26 weeks. I’ve been employed for at least 3.5 years since then.
    Thanks

    • Well, it purely depends on the processing team. They will only approve what you qualify for.

      For further clarification, please call the claims center.

  20. I will qualify for the maximum weekly rate but I have a small part time job that pays me 30$ a week how will that affect my unemployment? How much can I make on top of the maximum because unfortunately until I find another job unemployment even at max rate wont pay the bills

    • You can call the Unemployment Office in your state for a precise update.

      You should be declaring the income from your part time job when you apply.

  21. I am currently employed full time, but in a couple of months my job is being outsourced to a new company and I will be required to apply for my job. If i do not apply will I be eligible for benefits?

    • In order to ensure continuity in weekly unemployment benefits, you must apply for jobs and file weekly search reports.

      If you’re not looking for a job, you will not qualify.

        • If you’re required to apply for the same job position with the new employer,you must make an attempt.

          I guess, it will be considered as voluntary resignation otherwise.

          Please provide more details surrounding your question if the above did not answer it.

  22. The company I worked for 15 years has closed. I worked for the new buyers for 1 week and could not handle the stress of the increased work load and the overwhelming mess of the start up of the new owners. I have resigned. Can I file a claim for unemployment benefits? Thank you

  23. If I am fired due to the company point system that deals with attendance am I still eligible for unemployment benefits?

  24. while i am receiving unemployment and i may work approximately 8-16 hours a week, am i still able to continue to apply for benefits. If so, will this just extend my benefits until I have received my maximum allowable due to me?

  25. I was denied unemployment by former employer.I appealed.I was set up with a conference call with my former employer and I with a referee between us.The employer was not present.Will I win my unemployment benefits?

  26. I applied for monetary benefits. and made a claim. what do I do next? and how soon can I expect a payment?

  27. I had worked in Kankakee Illinois thru April 5, 2014, having given my company 30 days notice that i had to move back to Kansas due to family obligations. At that time the company asked me to stay on for two additional months thru May 2014 and work at their Independence Missouri office on an hourly rate. On 4/15/15 after relocating to Shawnee Kansas i was advised by my company that they did not want me to report to work in Independence as previously agreed.

    Do i qualify for unemployment and how do i initiate paperwork if so.

    thank you,
    John Franke

  28. I accepted a job offer. I quit previous job. When I went to orientation, I had to take a strength test. I failed. Now I don’t have a job. Can I get unemployment benefits?

    • If you think you were fired due to no fault of your own, please consider filing for UI benefits.
      I hope you have worked before the current job assignment as qualification depends on previously held jobs as well.

  29. I have been working for this company for 6 months. When I was offered the position, I was told that I would receive certain things such as gas stipend, bonus’s for referrals/admissions etc. Needless to say, once I accepted the position, of course things had changed, ( and I did not get these things in writing, My fault, I have learned my lesson). Since I have been there I have noticed staff being verbally harrassed,intimidated and threatned with “write up’s” or loss of hours. My question is, How much harrassment/threats does a person have to put up with, or better yet how long (years) do you have to prove you are being harrassed/threatened. And what constitutes harrassment or threats. I have went from a size 14 to a size 6-8 in a matter of 6 months. I have been put on high blood pressure medication not to mention the fact that I am stressed beyond belief. I keep notes, all emails and a daily journal. But how long do I subject myself to this. And yes I am looking for employment so I can give notice, but so far I have been unsuccessful in the job market in my career field. I’ve even been applying at Dollar General and Quik-Trips. HELP!!!! How do I prove I am being HARRASSED!!!.

  30. Is holiday pay now considered earned income? In the past I could receive my full unemployment weekly benefit amount even if I received holiday pay during the week. I had to answer yes to the requirement that I had to report to work the day before and the day after to receive the holiday pay.This is during our company’s two week Christmas shutdown. I have been told that this no longer the case and holiday pay will reduce my benefit like vacation pay will. Is this the case?

  31. If I work for a construction company that must layoff individuals during the winter, can I receive benefits if I intend to return to work when it becomes available?

  32. I have been working in a management position for 3 years – it has become obvious I will probably get demoted with a substantial cut in pay as this company does not fire employees so they cannot be qualified for unemployment. Will I be eligible for unemployment benefits if I were to quit while I am looking for another job?

  33. If my current job has been outsourced and I no longer work for that company and the outsource company offered me a job a lower pay if I don’t except the job can I still draw my unemployment?

  34. I began working for Olathe Car Sales in Olathe , Kansas on May 1, 2012. On July 15, 2013 I was forced too go on FMLA July 15, 2013 with return expected too be September 1, 2013. August 15th I realized I would need an additional 2 weeks to recover and had my doctor forward appropriate forms to my employer to extend my FMLA, which I did verify were received. On September 2, 2013 I got a phone call telling me the business was being closed and if I needed any personal items still there I needed to come and get them within a day. Accompanied by my wife I went and got them. My question is since the business closed am I able too file on September 15, 2013, the day of my return and if I have not found another job beginning receiving benefits after the 2 week waiting period? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me. If you need to contact me my number is

    • This is a public website – I deleted your personal information. You can initiate a claim as soon as you are able to work.

    • The claim year associated with 9/12 is about to or has expired. It is possible the claim of 3/13 is a part of the 9/12 claim. It is likely you have just started a new claim and the first week of a claim may be an unpaid waiting week.

  35. I work for a temp company. I have been working for this company but hours have went from 40 to 28 hours a week. I was told that I could apply for unemployment and still work for the company. I would like to apply for this to help me with the incoming in missing. I had talk to the place I work for and they said they don’t see way I can’t..they said if I apply for if they would confirm that I work for the company and that they are slow with work for now..
    Please let me know if I can. It would really help me out a little if I can do this
    Thanks Sharon Branstetter

    • There is never any penalty for applying. If you meet at least the minimum eligibility requirements, you will likely receive benefits.

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