Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · Verified against BLS Current Population Survey
Just lost your job? Get a clear answer in 30 seconds. No signup, no judgment. Calculates how many months your severance, savings, and unemployment will cover essentials, anchored to BLS job-search duration data.
Auto-updated · Verified daily against IRS, Fed & Treasury sources
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Household
Model your numbers solo or as a couple. Saved as one household decision either way.
Just lost your job? Enter your cash and burn — get a clear answer in 30 seconds.
No signup, no judgment. Educational only — not financial advice.
Lump-sum severance, PTO payout, savings, emergency fund
Rent, utilities, food, insurance, transit, minimum debt
0 if not yet approved or unknown
Used only to show your state weekly cap
Some states add per-dependent allowance
Based on your inputs
Net burn $3,500/mo
Your cash + severance covers 4.3 months at current burn. BLS Current Population Survey says typical 2025 job-search runs 4-6 months — you're inside the window with cushion.
Essentials $3,500 − UB $0
Each month off-payroll costs $3,500 after unemployment benefits. Cutting $200/mo of essentials buys you about 7 more days.
STABLE — you are inside the typical 4-6 month BLS job-search window. Keep applying, protect your essentials, do not panic-accept the first bad offer.
Typical job-search duration in 2025 was 4-6 months (BLS Current Population Survey).
Each month of cushion = 1 month of decision freedom. Do not take the first bad offer.
| Cash on hand | $15,000 |
|---|---|
| Monthly essentials | $3,500 |
| Weekly unemployment benefit | $0 |
| Estimated monthly unemployment | $0 |
| Net monthly burn | $3,500 |
| Runway | 4.3 months |
Sources & method
BLS Current Population Survey — median unemployment duration (4-6 months, 2025).
DOL Significant Provisions of State UI Laws — state weekly maximums and duration caps.
Federal Reserve SHED report — $400 emergency-cash benchmark.
Educational only. Estimates based on what you enter plus BLS averages. Not financial advice.
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BLS Current Population Survey data shows median unemployment duration runs roughly 4-6 months in 2025 for displaced workers. Senior, niche, or six-figure roles frequently take longer (6-9 months). Build runway against the median, then add buffer for your specific situation.
Yes — both are spendable cash. Add severance lump sum, PTO payout, accessible savings, and your emergency fund into a single "cash on hand" number. Exclude retirement accounts (401k/IRA) unless you are prepared for the 10% penalty plus taxes.
The calculator converts your weekly state benefit to monthly (× 4.33) and subtracts it from your monthly essential burn. The result is your true monthly drawdown rate, which divides into cash on hand to give runway months.
That means positive cash flow — your runway is effectively indefinite while benefits last (most states cap at 26 weeks). Use the surplus to pad savings, pay down high-interest debt, or invest in job-search costs (training, certifications, networking).
Rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance (health, auto, renters), transportation, prescriptions, minimum debt payments. Exclude dining out, streaming subscriptions, gym, travel, and discretionary shopping — those go to zero in a real runway scenario.
No. This is an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter and BLS averages. Consult a fee-only fiduciary advisor or a HUD-approved housing counselor for advice tailored to your situation.
(months) = Cash on hand / (Monthly essentials − 4.33 × Weekly unemployment benefit)
If monthly unemployment exceeds essentials, runway is indefinite while benefits last (most states cap at 26 weeks).
Tier thresholds anchored to BLS Current Population Survey median unemployment duration (4-6 months in 2025) and the Federal Reserve SHED $400 emergency-cash benchmark.
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.