Combined Wage Claim (CWC)
A Combined Wage Claim merges wages earned in two or more states during the base period into a single unemployment claim, filed in one of the states where the claimant has wages. Combining often produces a higher weekly benefit than any single state's wages would support alone.
CWC matters most for people who moved and worked in the old and new state within roughly the last 18 months. The paying state applies its own benefit formula to the combined wages.
You choose where to file among states holding your wages — compare benefit scales before choosing, because the difference can be large.
Federal source: 20 CFR Part 616 — Interstate arrangement for combining wages ↗
Related terms: Liable state · Base period