Glossary
Alternate base period
A second wage window many states check when you do not qualify using the standard base period.
When someone's recent earnings are their strongest — a new worker, or someone returning after time away — the standard base period can leave those wages out entirely because it skips the most recently completed quarter. Many states therefore allow an alternate base period made up of the last four completed quarters, including that lag quarter. States that offer one generally apply it only if the standard window fails, and each state page on this site states whether its agency offers the option.