diff --git a/changelog_entry.yaml b/changelog_entry.yaml
index e69de29bb2d..10af6dc94ec 100644
--- a/changelog_entry.yaml
+++ b/changelog_entry.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+- bump: minor
+  changes:
+    added:
+    - weeks_unemployed input variable for weeks looking for work
diff --git a/policyengine_us/variables/gov/states/weeks_unemployed.py b/policyengine_us/variables/gov/states/weeks_unemployed.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..eb3de6504eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/policyengine_us/variables/gov/states/weeks_unemployed.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+from policyengine_us.model_api import *
+
+
+class weeks_unemployed(Variable):
+    value_type = float
+    entity = Person
+    label = "weeks unemployed"
+    unit = "week"
+    documentation = (
+        "Number of weeks during the year the person was looking for work. "
+        "From CPS ASEC variable LKWEEKS."
+    )
+    definition_period = YEAR