The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services manages the unemployment insurance program, which helps you financially while you search for a new job.
If you lost your job and want to collect Arkansas unemployment, you must meet the state’s eligibility requirements before you can receive weekly payments.
Arkansas Unemployment Eligibility Calculator
How to qualify for Arkansas unemployment benefits
To qualify for Arkansas unemployment benefits you must:
- Meet monetary and work history requirements
- Have lost your job through no fault of your own
- Be physically able to work
- Be available to work
- Be actively looking for a new job
- Be a United States citizen or be legally authorized to work in Arkansas
Some Arkansas UI eligibility requirements are monetary, and based on your financial work history and wages. There are also several non-monetary requirements to meet, including the reason you became unemployed.
There are also several ongoing eligibility requirements that you must meet each week before you can collect payment. When you apply for Arkansas unemployment compensation, the DWS will determine your eligibility and the amount of benefits you can receive, called the weekly benefit amount. You will need to file a weekly claim to certify your eligibility for compensation.
Monetary Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must have earned wages from a job in Arkansas where your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes during at least two quarters within your base period. Your total wages during the base period must be at least 35 times your weekly benefit amount.
What is a base period?
Unemployment benefits are not determined by your financial need but are based on how much you were paid by your employer during a 12-month period called the base period.
The more money you earned during this time, the higher your weekly benefit amount will be, up to the maximum weekly benefit amount allowed.
In Arkansas, the minimum benefit is $81, and the maximum benefit amount anyone can receive is $451 for up to 16 weeks (unless there is a UI benefits extension). You can estimate your weekly payments using the Arkansas unemployment calculator.
Alternate Base Period
If you don’t qualify for the traditional base period, there is also an alternate base period that can be used to determine your eligibility. The alternate base period includes the four completed calendar quarters immediately before the quarter when you file your initial claim. It’s meant to help those who have been unemployed for a longer period, recently returned to work (within the last two quarters), but are now unemployed again.
Non-Monetary Eligibility Requirements
In addition to your work history, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services requires you to be able to work, be available for work, and be searching for work.
Able to Work
Being “able to work” means that you’re physically and mentally capable of performing tasks similar to your previous job or other work you have the experience and training to do. This also means that you have a reasonable chance of finding a job in your field.
Availability for Work
To be considered “available for work,” you need to be ready to accept a job right away. There shouldn’t be any personal or other circumstances preventing you from taking on suitable work if offered.
Reasonable Effort to Find Work
Making a “reasonable effort to find work” involves actively seeking employment by contacting people in charge of hiring, your local union, or other relevant organizations. It means doing everything reasonably possible in your occupation to secure a job as quickly as you can. Your efforts should be focused on finding suitable work that matches your skills and experience.
Do I have to accept any job offer?
When you’re searching for a job while receiving unemployment benefits, you must be willing to accept suitable work when it’s offered to you. The meaning of “suitable work” depends on various factors, such as the pay in the new job, how long you’ve been unemployed, and your earnings at your last job. The law doesn’t require that the pay in your new job be the same as your previous employment.
Unemployed through no fault of your own
One of the biggest factors when determining UI eligibility is job separation – the reason why you became unemployed.
To qualify for unemployment benefits, your unemployment must not be due to any fault of your own. Acceptable reasons for job separation include being laid off because of a lack of work, company downsizing, or business closure. In these cases, you would likely be eligible for unemployment compensation as long as you meet the other requirements.
But if you left your job voluntarily without a good cause, or if you were fired for misconduct, you might not be eligible for UI benefits.
Quitting for “good cause”
Quitting a job with “good cause” means leaving your employment due to circumstances that a reasonable person would find intolerable or unacceptable. Some reasons for quitting with good cause may include unsafe working conditions, harassment or discrimination, or a hostile work environment. You can also remain eligible for unemployment if you have to quit your job because your spouse is relocating for work or military service.
Your reason for job separation plays a significant role in determining your eligibility for unemployment benefits. It’s important to provide accurate information and be honest, or your benefits could be denied. Intentionally lying on a claim is Arkansas unemployment fraud which results in penalties and possible criminal charges.
Ongoing Eligibility Requirements
To remain eligible for Arkansas unemployment insurance benefits, you must certify your ongoing eligibility by filing a weekly claim. You can’t receive your weekly payment until you complete this step each week.
You must verify that you are:
- Unemployed through no fault of your own
- Physically able to work
- Available to work
- Actively searching for work
During the certification process, you will be asked if you earned any income for the week. You will be asked if you have refused any job offers or job referrals.
Filing Your Weekly Claim
Each week, you need to file a claim to show that you’re still unemployed and actively seeking work. You can file your claim online or over the phone. This step is crucial for continuing to receive your benefits. Learn more about filing a weekly claim.
Waiting Week
After filing an initial claim, you must also go through a one-week waiting period before receiving your unemployment compensation. This waiting week must be a valid week of unemployment, which means that you earned less than 140% of your weekly benefit amount, and met all additional eligibility requirements.
Claim audits
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services conducts regular reviews of unemployment claims to ensure the accurate payment of benefits. If your claim is chosen for review, you’ll be notified, and certain information will be requested from you.
Job Contact Records
For example, if you’re required to maintain a written record of your work search requirements, DWS may ask you to provide your record of job contacts for the week. The employers listed in your record will be contacted for verification. You can use the Job Contacts Log to track your contacts.
Verification of Earnings
Additionally, any employers you may have worked for while receiving unemployment benefits will be contacted to verify the earnings you reported. It’s essential to keep accurate records of your job search efforts and report your earnings honestly to avoid any issues with your unemployment compensation.
By staying organized and maintaining accurate records, you can ensure a smooth review process and continue to receive the support you need during your job search.
What if I’m denied Arkansas unemployment benefits?
If you are denied benefits or disagree with an ADWS determination, you have the right to file an appeal. You must contact the Arkansas Appeal Tribunal within 20 days of receiving your notice. Learn more about the appeal process.
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