How Much Is Unemployment In Arkansas

How Do I Apply

To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.

• You should contact your state’s unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
• Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states.
• When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check.

Dws Says Ive Run Out Of Traditional Unemployment Weeks But Im Still Unemployed Can I Get An Extension

If you are still eligible for unemployment, you should be able to get your unemployment extended under a program called PEUC , which is different from both PUA and PUC (described elsewhere in this guide. PEUC funds are meant to be an extension of what you received under the UI program. With PEUC, the maximum number of weeks increases to 53 weeks.

If you then run out of PEUC weeks, you can apply for PUA. This is confusing, because some people are eligible for PUA immediately, but others are only eligible once their UI and PEUC benefits have run out. But, if you were on UI and PEUC, you lost your job for a COVID-19 related reason, and you have used up the 53 week maximum under PEUC, then you should be eligible for an additional 10 weeks under PUA.

DWS created a chart here that breaks down the different programs and how to get your unemployment extended depending on your specific circumstances.

Potential Benefit Amounts And Contact Information By State

The following table shows the minimum and maximum weekly unemployment benefit amounts and contact information for unemployment benefits in each state. States may change their benefit amounts at any time, so amounts included here may not be current.

To apply for unemployment benefits, find the state where you worked, then go to that states web site or call the number listed in the table.

To apply for benefits from the Virgin Islands, call us at 800-939-6631. We will take your application by phone and send it on your behalf.

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How Much Can I Get Each Week

In Washington state, the maximum weekly benefit amount is $929. The minimum is $295. No one eligible for benefits will receive less than $295, regardless of their earnings.

The actual amount you are eligible to receive depends on the earnings in your base year. We calculate your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefits payable by using the wage information reported to us by your employer.

How To Apply For Unemployment In Arkansas

by Dana George | Updated July 17, 2021 – First published on April 1, 2020

Many or all of the products here are from our partners. We may earn a commission from offers on this page. Its how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts opinions arent influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

If you’ve lost your job in Arkansas, here’s how to file for unemployment benefits.

If you’ve lost your job in Arkansas, here’s how to file for unemployment benefits.

Like workers around the country, Arkansans are losing jobs in record numbers as the COVID-19 pandemic forces businesses to close. Labor officials in Arkansas are working 24/7 to process unemployment claims. If you have lost your job and need to file a claim of your own, the following information can help streamline the process:

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American Rescue Plan Act

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law. ARPA extends certain federal unemployment programs including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance , Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation . These provisions will bring continued benefits to unemployed Arizonans.

Learn more about ARPA.

How To Calculate Your Unemployment Benefits

The Balance

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to calculate exactly how much money you’ll receive through unemployment benefits or for how long you’ll be able to collect those benefits unless your state has an online unemployment calculator. However, there are calculators you can use to estimate your benefits.

Each state has a different rate, and benefits vary based on your earnings record and the date you became unemployed. Once you find out whether you are eligible, you can file a claim for unemployment benefits. If you’re not sure about your eligibility, check with your state unemployment office. You don’t want to lose out on unemployment compensation because you didn’t think you would qualify.

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How To Appeal A Denial Of Unemployment Benefits In Arkansas

If your unemployment claim is denied, you have 20 days to appeal the decision to your local office of DWS or to the Arkansas Appeal Tribunal. A hearing officer will conduct the appeal, usually by phone. You will be able to present evidence and witness testimony. The hearing officer will then issue a decision.

If you disagree with the hearing officer’s decision, you may appeal it within 20 days to the Arkansas Board of Review. If you disagree with the Board’s decision, you may file an appeal in court.

For more information on the unemployment process, including current eligibility requirements and benefits amounts, visit the DWS website.

How Can I Estimate My Weekly Benefit Amount

You can estimate your own weekly benefit amount to see how much you are potentially eligible to receive. To do this, you need to know which calendar quarters will make up your base year.

Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week in which you apply for benefits. For example, if you applied for unemployment benefits on Jan. 20, 2021, your base year would include wages earned from Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020.

You could be eligible for an alternate base year claim if you do not have enough hours in that base year for a valid claim .

When you file your claim here:

Your base year is the blue-shaded area.

To estimate how much you might be eligible to receive, add together the gross wages in the two highest quarters during that period, divide by 2, and then multiply by 0.0385 to get your weekly benefit amount.

The total amount of benefits potentially payable on your claim is found by taking the smaller of:

• 26 times your weekly benefit amount or
• 1/3 of the total gross wages in all four quarters of your base year.

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A Guide To Unemployment Benefits In Arkansas

In Arkansas, the Division of Workforce Services administers the states Unemployment Insurance benefits program. These benefits are paid to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and who meet all eligibility requirements. Unemployment benefits are designed to provide protection against a loss of income until beneficiaries are able to find full-time work again.

Employers pay for UI benefits through a tax they are required to remit. Workers do not pay any portion of the benefits, and no deductions are made from their paychecks.

Learn The Unemployment Eligibility Rules Benefit Amounts And More In Arkansas

By Lisa Guerin, J.D.

Did you recently lose your job in Arkansas? If so, you might be eligible for unemployment benefits, which are compensation available to employees who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own. Although the basic rules for unemployment are similar across the board, the eligibility rules, prior earnings requirements, benefit amounts, and other details vary from state to state. Below you’ll find information on collecting unemployment in Arkansas.

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What To Do If Your Claim Is Denied

You can file an unemployment appeal if your claim was denied but you believe that you qualify for the UI program. You can appeal in writing or by mail. Continue to file weekly certification during the appeal process. That is because you will receive benefits for weeks you claimed if you win the appeal process.

Collecting Unemployment Compensation Benefits In Arkansas

Unemployment benefits are available in Arkansas to employees who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The basic structure of the unemployment system is the same in every state: You must meet certain eligibility requirements based on your work history, you must be available and looking for work, and you must file a claim for benefits with your states unemployment department.

Each state has its own rules about who qualifies, how much the benefits are , and more. Heres how the unemployment rules work in Arkansas.

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Arkansas Unemployment Eligibility: Availability To Work

To keep collecting unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to work, and looking for employment. If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it.

In Arkansas, suitable work is work similar to what you have done in the past, or other work you have the experience and training to perform, and which you can reasonably expect to get.

In Arkansas, you will be considered “available” for work only if you don’t have any restrictions preventing you from taking a job if one is offered. For example, you must be able to make transportation and child care arrangements.

You must make a reasonable effort to secure work, and you must register with DWS Employment Services. You will be told how many job contacts you must make each week. You will have to start reporting your job contacts once you’ve been receiving unemployment for a few months.

Alternate Base Year Claims

You could be eligible for an alternate base year claim if you do not have the required 680 hours of work in your regular base year.

The base year for an alternate base year claim is the last four completed calendar quarters before the week in which you file your claim. You must have 680 hours of work in the alternate base year and still meet all of the other eligibility requirements.

If you file your claim here:

Your base year is the blue-shaded area.

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How Do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits

To file an initial claim, you need to complete an application on the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services website. You also have the option of filing by telephone at 855-225-4440, or the temporary hotlines 844-908-2178 or 501-534-6304. Be aware that current wait times can make it difficult to get through.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your Social Security number, or your Alien Registration Number
• Current address and telephone number
• Contact info for all employers you’ve worked for in the past 12 months
• Start and end dates for the most recent employer
• If you’ve served in the U.S. military at any time during the past 18 months, provide your DD-214 Member Copy 4 form
• If you worked for the federal government during the past 18 months, provide your SF-8 form

If you file online, a confirmation page will appear. Print it out and save it for your records.

State Benefits Comparison Chart The Following Comparison Data Provides An Overview Of Benefits And Shows Which States Pay Well:

Note The benefit amount you would receive depends on factors like your wages in your base period, number of dependents, and the wages you earn while collecting UI benefits . Use the benefits calculator to determine your estimated Weekly Benefit Amount .

States That Pay The Highest And Lowest Unemployment Insurance Compensation

States That Pay The Lowest Unemployment Insurance Compensation

States That Provide Unemployment Compensation For A Longer And Shorter Duration

States That Provide Unemployment Compensation For A Shorter Duration

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Lost Wages Assistance Program

Arizona was the first state in the nation to begin issuing Lost Wages Assistance to eligible claimants. Initial payments were added to the Weekly Benefit Amount starting August 17, and DES began issuing retroactive payments for the benefits weeks ending August 1 and August 8 later that week. All retroactive payments will be completed the week ending August 28.

How Long Can I Get Unemployment

Traditional unemployment runs out after 16 weeks.

DWS sometimes requires you to apply under a different program to get those extra weeks, depending on your circumstances. For more information on how many weeks you should be eligible for based on you circumstances, you can look at this chart created by DWS.

Important Note: You can only get unemployment as long as you meet all the requirements. If something changes for you, like you get a new job for a period of time, the reason COVID prevented you from working changes, or you get an offer for employment and refuse it, you may no longer be eligible for unemployment. If you continue to get benefits after something changes, you may receive notice that you were overpaid benefits, and DWS might try to get that money back.

• Unemployment Programs Chart

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How Will I Be Paid

When you submit your initial claim, you have two choices for receiving benefit payments:

• Debit card. After you have claimed your first payable week, youll receive your debit card in the mail.
• Direct deposit. Youll need to have your banking information available when you file your initial claim if you want to choose this option.

Youll automatically receive your Unemployment Insurance Benefits on a debit card unless you choose to receive your benefits through direct deposit. You can find the setup for the payment method on the Confirmation Page.

How Much Will I Be Paid

Currently, the minimum amount of unemployment benefits you can receive in Arkansas is $81 per week. The maximum is $451 per week. Your weekly benefit amount in Arkansas will be one twenty-sixth of your earnings in the highest paid quarter of the base period. In Arkansas, you can receive benefits for up to 16 weeks.

Youll be paid a benefit based on how much your employer paid you during a 12-month period called your Base Period. It is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter that you file your initial claim. The greater the amount of money you earned during your Base Period, the larger your Weekly Benefit Amount will be until you reach the maximum amount payable under Arkansas law.

If you do not meet minimum wage requirements during your Base Period, youll be allowed to use earnings from an Alternate Base Period to help you qualify for benefits. The Alternate Base Period is the four completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the quarter in which the initial claim is filed.

All applicants must serve a Waiting Period Week. During this week, you must file a claim for benefits, but you will not be paid for that week. However, Arkansas waived this waiting period for claims filed from March 16 to April 18, 2020.

There are several types of payments you receive that can affect your weekly benefit amount. These types of income have to be reported:

• Holiday Pay
• Pay earned by participating in military drills
• Retirement Pay

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Arkansas Rules For Involuntary Job Loss

When it comes to the reason you lost your job, the basic rule in Arkansas is that it must have been involuntary. Usually, that means youre out of work because of a layoff, furlough, restructuring, or similar action that your employer took for economic reasons. If you quit or were fired, your eligibility will depend on the circumstances.

• If you were fired. Being fired or discharged doesnt necessarily disqualify you from unemployment benefits. For instance, you may still be eligible if you were fired for poor performance, as long as your actions werent intentional or repeated despite progressive discipline. However, you will be disqualified if you were fired for misconduct relating to your job, such as being intoxicated at work, insubordination, dishonesty, or violating your employers written policies.
• If you quit. You won’t be eligible for benefits if you quit your job voluntarily, without good cause connected with work. Arkansas law spells out some important personal reasons that would be considered good cause, including your own disability, injury, illness, or pregnancy domestic violence that would jeopardize your safety if you continued to work and moving with a spouse who was transferred for work beyond commuting distance. Other circumstances might also be considered good cause, such as your employers refusal to correct dangerous working conditions, despite your complaints.

How Do I File For Unemployment Insurance In Arkansas

Heres a quick overview of how the unemployment insurance process works in Arkansas:

Newly unemployed?

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