Tuesday, March 19, 2024

How Much Is Unemployment In Az

Don't Miss

What Happens When The Des Denies Benefits

How to Access Unemployment Benefits in Arizona

You have the right to appeal any decision by the DES. The DES will mail a Determination of Deputy informing you of the circumstance. You will have 15 calendar days from the mailing date of the determination to file your appeal.

For more about the unemployment benefit appeal process, please view our page on Arizona Unemployment Appeals.

When Will You Get Your Benefits

Although the federal government is authorizing these extensions immediately, that doesnt mean your unemployment benefits will be delivered seamlessly.;

The last stimulus package was signed in late December 2020, but reprogramming state unemployment systems for the changes meant it ended up takingweeks to restart pandemic aid programsin some places. That left workers with smaller paymentsor no benefits at allwhile they waited for their claims to get approved.;;

Its almost certain that similar payment gaps will take place again as states hustle to implement program changes andre-enroll people who had exhausted their benefitsprior to the extension. That could leave millions of Americans scrambling to meet their financial obligations in the meantime.;

Its also unclear what taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2020 should do about their 2020 tax return. The IRS has not yet indicated how people who already filed their taxes should amend their 2020 return to reflect the partial tax breakor how people who havent filed yet should account for the tax break.

Amount And Duration Of Unemployment Benefits In Arizona

If you are eligible to receive unemployment, your weekly benefit in Arizona will be 4% of the wages you earned in the highest paid quarter of the base period. The most you can receive per week is currently $240; the least you can receive is $122. Benefits will continue until you’ve received the equivalent of 26 weeks of your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your total base-period wages, whichever is less.

Read Also: How Do You Get Insurance If You Are Unemployed

Reasons For Denial Of Benefits

The DES will deny your claim for unemployment if you do not meet the wage earnings requirement. The DES will issue a Wage Statement that tells you how they determined whether you qualified and the potential WBA you would receive if you qualified. You may file a wage protest if you disagree with math on your Wage Statement. You have 10 calendar days from the mailing date of the Wage Statement to dispute the document.

How Much Will I Be Paid By Arizona Unemployment

Receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The amount of your unemployment insurance benefit is calculated by the amount of insured wages paid to you during a one-year period called a Base Period. Insured wages are defined as those wages that are paid by an employer who pays unemployment insurance taxes.

The Base Period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

If youre not eligible for benefits using the Base Period, you may be eligible to use an Alternate Base Period if you also received Workers Compensation. The Alternate Base Period uses wages earned before you became disabled and is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the date you became disabled.

To qualify for benefits, your employer must have paid unemployment insurance taxes and you must have earned at least 390 times the Arizona minimum wage in your highest earning quarter. You must also have earned at least half that amount in any one of the three remaining quarters as well.

For example, if you earned $6,000 in one quarter, then you must have also earned at least $3,000 in any one of the three remaining quarters. As an alternative, you must have earned at least $7,000 in total wages in at least two quarters of the base period, with wages in one quarter equal to $5,987.50 or more.

Arizonas maximum weekly benefit is $240 . To calculate the amount of unemployment benefits you may be entitled to in Arizona, you can use this calculator.

Don’t Miss: Do You Have To Pay Federal Taxes On Unemployment

Arizona Unemployment Benefits And Eligibility

COVID-19 UPDATE:Because the coronavirus pandemic has left so many Americans jobless, the federal government has given states more flexibility in granting unemployment benefits. Youll need to apply for these benefits through your states unemployment insurance program, but if you have questions about whether youre eligible for benefits read our COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits and Insurance FAQ. Also, before submitting a claim in Arizona, be sure to check out Arizonas claimant handbook.

Return To Work Guidance For Employers

As Arizona begins to re-energize our economy and more Arizonans return to work, many employers and employees may have questions about how resuming operations may affect Unemployment Insurance benefits. View guidance for returning to work in a safe and healthy way.

Also Check: How Do I Report Unemployment On My Taxes

Will Arizonans See The $400 Unemployment Supplement From Trump

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Saturday calling for a $400 a week supplement to unemployment benefits, but it’s unclear if and when Arizonans are going to see it.

The extra $600 a week that tens of thousands of out-of-work Arizonans were receiving expired July 25, leaving them with a maximum $240 in weekly state unemployment benefits.

Trump’s plan would;require states to pay jobless people another $100 a week in order for them to receive the additional $300 a week in federal funds.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Doug Ducey’s office appeared to be working on details of how it would work in Arizona.

Officials in other states, including Kentucky, said the president’s plan was unworkable.

The governor in Ohio announced that the state would participate without providing the additional $100 match, and instead count existing state unemployment benefits toward;his state’s contribution.

That may be a strategy used by other states, including Arizona. It would mean unemployed people in this state only get a $300 supplement. Ducey’s officewouldn’t offer details on Tuesday.

“We are very thankful to President Trump for extending these critical benefits,” Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said. “We will be working diligently to apply these changes in Arizona, and will have more information this week.”

How To Calculate Your Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment should expect to wait a few weeks for new benefits, Arizona economist says

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.

Read Also: How To Get My Unemployment

Are You Out Of Work Through No Fault Of Your Own

You must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits in Arizona.

Collecting Unemployment After a Layoff

If you were laid off, lost your job in a reduction-in-force , or got “downsized” for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.

Collecting Unemployment After Being Fired

If you were fired because you lacked the skills to perform the job or simply weren’t a good fit, you won’t necessarily be barred from receiving benefits. If, however, you were fired for deliberate or negligent misconduct, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits. For example, you may not be eligible for benefits if you neglected your job duties, willfully disregarded your employer’s interests, or deliberately violated workplace rules, among other things.

Collecting Unemployment After Quitting

You won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit your job voluntarily and without good cause. In general, good cause means that you had a compelling reason that left you no other choice than to leave. For example, if you left your job because of dangerous working conditions or discrimination that your employer refused to stop, you may be able to collect benefits. You may also be eligible if your employer relocated beyond a reasonable commuting distance or your military spouse was transferred to a new location.

Work Search Requirements And Maintaining Eligibility

In order to continue to be eligible for unemployment in Arizona, you must re-certify each week. You can re-certify online or by telephone. When you re-certify, you must indicate that you are continuing to look for work and are still in need of benefits. You must also report any income you received that week.

If you fail to re-certify, the unemployment system will delete your account and you will not be able to claim any additional benefits. You will have to contact the Department of Unemployment Security by telephone to re-open your claim.

The first week after you are approved for unemployment is a waiting period, but you must re-certify during this week to receive any benefits.

Whether you certify online or use the TIPS telephone system, you will receive several questions intended to determine whether you remain eligible for benefits. The DES will want to know:

  • Whether you are actively looking for work
  • Whether you have refused a reasonable offer of employment
  • Whether you have started or quit a job during the benefit week
  • Whether you have earned any wages
  • Whether you are able to work and available for work

You May Like: How To Apply For Unemployment In Nc

Eligibility Requirements For Arizona Unemployment Benefits

The Arizona Department of Economic Security handles unemployment compensation and decides whether claimants are eligible for benefits. Under the state’s normal eligibility rules, you must meet the following three requirements to collect unemployment benefits:

  • You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Arizona law.
  • You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages during a certain period of time before you were unemployed.
  • You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.

Applying For Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Az Unemployment Application Self Employed

You can apply for unemployment insurance benefits beginning the day after your final employment date. The payments are not retroactive, so you should apply for benefits as soon as possible. The applications are all done online , so youll need access to a computer. In order to complete your application, youll need the following documents and information:

  • Social security number
  • Arizona drivers license or state issued ID
  • Mailing address
  • Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all your employers for the last 18 months
  • Last date of employment
  • Severance, vacation, holiday, and unused sick pay
  • Pension and other retirement income
  • Name and local number of your union hall
  • Alien registration number
  • Copy #4 of your DD Form 214 if youve been discharged from the military in the last 18 months
  • SF 8 or SF 50 if youve been employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months

Also Check: When Will I Get My Unemployment

What If My Unemployment Claim Is Denied

You will be mailed a notice if youre denied or disqualified from receiving benefits. Some of the reasons why you may be denied may include the following:

  • Being fired for misconduct or you quit your last job.
  • You refused an offer to return to work.
  • You lied on your Arizona unemployment claim application.
  • You did not make a diligent attempt to find work.
  • You were not ready, willing, and able to look for work.
  • You had childcare, transportation, or illness issues that kept you from seeking work or actually going back to work.
  • You started a training program.

If youre denied or disqualified from receiving benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. An appeal must be filed within the time frame stated on your determination letter. The date your appeal time frame starts is the postmark date on your letter.

  • Your first level of appeal is known as a Determination of Deputy. You have 15 calendar days to file that appeal.
  • Your next level of appeal is a Decision of Appeal Tribunal. You have 30 calendar days to submit that appeal.
  • Your next level of appeal is a Decision of Appeals Board. You also have 30 calendar days to submit that appeal.

You can file an appeal in several ways:

  • Submit a letter to the address found on your determination letter.
  • Appeal in person at an Economic Service Office or a One Stop partner office of the DES.

States May Not Play Along

There are myriad concerns that states will not go along with Trump’s plan, or that the plan will get tied up in a lawsuit challenging whether Trump even had the authority to issue such an action.

Even if Arizona agrees to the plan, it’s unclear exactly how soon unemployed people could see the money.

And even if the plan rolls full speed ahead, the $44 billion Trump wants to allocate will only last an estimated five weeks with current unemployment levels across the nation.

Paying the $100 per week state supplement to the people currently out of work in the state for five weeks would cost Arizona about $325 million, according to an analysis by the centrist Grand Canyon Institute, Research Director Dave Wells said Tuesday.

“Many analysts think there could be a considerable challenge, though, for some states to implement it,” Wells said.

He also said the possibility of a deal with Congress could make the Trump plan moot, were lawmakers to agree on something along the lines of what the president wants.

Many congressional Democrats have said they wanted the full $600 restored, while Republicans have proposed lower amounts.

Another scenario is some states participating and some not, Wells said.

“If different states implement at different rates or some states don’t choose to participate, then the $44 billion would last longer for some states, but late-coming states which could be Arizona might get fewer weeks,” he said.

Read Also: How Do I Get My Unemployment Back Pay

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.

Lost Wages Assistance Program

New chapter in Arizona unemployment battle

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.

You May Like: Where To Apply For Unemployment In California

How Much Will Your Benefits Be

Once you file for unemployment and are approved, you will begin to receive benefits. Your benefits might come in the form of a check, but more often they will come in the form of a debit card or direct deposit to your bank account. It varies by state. You typically can file weekly online, by email, or by phone.

The amount you receive depends on your weekly earnings prior to being laid off and on the maximum amount of unemployment benefits paid to each worker. In many states, you will be compensated for half of your earnings, up to a certain maximum.

State benefits are typically paid for a maximum of 26 weeks. Some states provide benefits for a lower number of weeks, and maximum benefits also vary based on where you live. In times of high unemployment, additional weeks of unemployment compensation may be available.

Regardless of how much you make, you never can collect more than the state maximum.

How Do I File For Unemployment Insurance Benefits In Arizona

1.; Before you apply, make sure you meet all benefit requirements. Arizona citizens who have become unemployed through no fault of their own and who are ready and willing to go back to work can qualify for benefits. To maintain benefits, you must be ready, willing, and able to accept suitable employment, and you must conduct an ongoing job search.

2.; Gather important documents and information. Once you know you meet basic requirements for unemployment benefits, collect the necessary information to submit a claim:

  • Social Security number
  • An Arizona drivers license or a state-issued ID
  • Your mailing address
  • Names, addresses, and contact information of the employers you have worked for in the past 18 months
  • The last day you worked
  • The amounts of any vacation, severance, or holiday pay that you are entitled to
  • The total of any pension money that you are receiving
  • The name and phone number of your union hall, if applicable

3.; File for unemployment insurance. Arizona is somewhat unique among states because it provides 11 different unemployment insurance programs for citizens. To file a claim, you can log on to the Department of Economic Security or you can locate a local Arizona unemployment office from the listings of Arizona unemployment office locations.

7.; Conduct an ongoing job search. Arizona requires you to look for full-time work while drawing benefits. Recipients are required to register with the Arizona Job Connection as part of their search activities.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Unemployment Rate In Minnesota

Spotlight Changes To Unemployment Benefits Under The Consolidated Appropriations Act

  • An additional $300 per week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments will be added to all unemployment benefits through September 6, 2021 %E2%80%94An%20additional%20%24600%20per,25th%20for%20most%20people.” rel=”nofollow”>FPUC)
  • Regular state unemployment benefits will be extended for up to an additional 29 weeks through September 6, 2021, beyond the 50 weeks of benefits provided for by previous laws, through Pandemic Emergency Unemployment compensation %E2%80%94An%20additional%20%24600%20per,25th%20for%20most%20people.” rel=”nofollow”>PEUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for categories of workers excluded from regular benefits %E2%80%94An%20additional%20%24600%20per,25th%20for%20most%20people.” rel=”nofollow”>PUA)
  • Six months of free COBRA health insurance will be available to the unemployed
  • Workers who have at least $5,000 in annual self-employment income but were previously ineligible for regular state unemployment benefits will continue to receive up to $100 per week

More articles

Popular Articles