Where to file and what you need before you start

Arkansas processes unemployment claims through the Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services. You file online at www.arkansasworks.com, by phone at 1-866-MyARjob (1-866-692-7562), or in person at a local workforce center. Online filing is fastest — most people complete it in 15 to 20 minutes — and you get a confirmation number when ready.

Before you file, gather: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, the dates you worked at your most recent job, your employer's name and address, and your final paycheck stub if you have it. If you were laid off or had hours cut, have the reason ready in your own words. If you quit, you will need to explain why — Arkansas requires that you left for "good cause," which means a legitimate reason connected to the job itself (unsafe conditions, wage theft, schedule changes that conflict with childcare) rather than personal preference.

You can file as soon as you stop working. There is no waiting period before you file, though there is a one-week unpaid waiting period after your claim is approved before payments begin. File early in the week if possible — claims filed Monday through Wednesday typically process faster than those filed Thursday or Friday.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at www.arkansasworks.com, by phone at 1-866-692-7562, or at a local workforce center; online filing is the fastest option.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID, employer information, and final paycheck stub ready before you start.
  • If you quit your job, you must show that you left for good cause — a reason tied to the job, not personal circumstances.
  • After approval, there is a one-week unpaid waiting period before your first payment arrives, usually by debit card or direct deposit.
  • You must report your work search activities every two weeks; failure to do so stops your payments until you report.

The online filing process, step by step

Go to www.arkansasworks.com and select "File a Claim" or "Continued Claim" depending on whether this is your first filing. You will create a login or use an existing one. The system will ask for your personal information, then move through employment history, reason for separation, and income details.

When the system asks why you are no longer working, be specific and factual. "Laid off due to lack of work" or "Hours reduced from 40 to 20 per week" are clear. "I didn't like my boss" or "I wanted a different job" will likely result in a denial. If you were fired, the system will ask whether it was for misconduct. Misconduct in Arkansas means willful or negligent disregard of the employer's interests — showing up late once is not misconduct, but a pattern of tardiness after warnings is.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number and a message telling you when to expect a decision. The Division typically contacts you within 5 to 10 business days. If your employer disputes your claim, you may be asked to participate in a phone interview. Answer honestly and stick to facts you can document.

What happens after you file

Once approved, you enter a benefit year — a 52-week period during which you can draw benefits. Your weekly payment amount is based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the year before you filed, divided by 26, with a state minimum and maximum. The maximum weekly benefit in Arkansas is $451 as of 2024, though this amount changes annually. Most people receive between $150 and $350 per week.

Payments are issued by debit card (a card mailed to you) or direct deposit if you set that up. The first payment arrives about one week after approval. You will receive payments for up to 26 weeks in a standard benefit year, though during periods of high unemployment, extended benefits may be available — this varies by economic conditions and is not may provide.

You must file a continued claim every two weeks to keep receiving payments. This is done online through the same portal or by phone. The system will ask whether you worked, earned money, or refused any job offers. You must also report if you received severance pay, vacation pay, or any other payment from your former employer — these reduce your weekly benefit dollar-for-dollar.

Work search requirements and reporting

Arkansas requires you to search for work while you receive benefits. You must make at least three work search contacts per week — this means explore for jobs, attending interviews, or registering with a temp agency. You do not have to document each contact, but you must be prepared to describe your search if asked. The Division conducts random audits and may call you to verify that you are actually looking.

If you are offered a job and refuse it without good cause, your benefits stop. Good cause means the job pays significantly less than your previous work, requires unsafe conditions, or has a schedule that conflicts with a documented medical appointment or childcare you cannot replace. A job that is straightforward inconvenient or in a field you prefer not to work in is not good cause.

If you miss a continued claim important date or fail to report work search activities, your payments stop automatically. You can restart them by filing a continued claim and explaining the gap, but there is no retroactive payment for missed weeks. Set a phone reminder for your claim important date — many people lose benefits straightforward by forgetting to file on time.

If your claim is denied

The Division will mail you a written decision explaining why your claim was denied. Common reasons include: you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, you did not meet the earnings requirement (you must have earned at least $1,600 in your highest-earning quarter), or you are still employed and did not report it.

You have 30 days from the date on the decision letter to file an appeal. Appeals are handled by an administrative law judge and are free. You can appeal by mail, phone, or in person. If you appeal, you may be asked to participate in a hearing where you and your employer can present your side of the story. Bring any documentation you have — pay stubs, emails, written warnings, or witness contact information.

If you disagree with the appeal decision, you can request further review, but this is rare and requires showing that the judge made a legal error, not just that you disagree with the outcome.

Special situations: Partial unemployment and self-employment

If you are still working but your hours or pay were reduced, you may be able to draw partial benefits. Report your weekly earnings on your continued claim form. Arkansas reduces your benefit by $1 for every $1 you earn above a small threshold (currently $50 per week, though this changes). So if your weekly benefit is $300 and you earn $150, you would receive $200 that week.

If you are self-employed or a gig worker (Uber, DoorDash, freelance work), you are generally not covered by unemployment insurance. Arkansas does not have a separate program for self-employed workers. However, if you were laid off from a regular job and are doing gig work while looking for full-time employment, report the gig income on your continued claims and your benefit will be reduced accordingly.

Contact information and local resources

The Division of Workforce Services phone line is 1-866-692-7562, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. The online portal at www.arkansasworks.com is available 24/7 for filing and checking claim status.

Arkansas has 28 local workforce centers across the state. These centers offer free job search help, resume writing, and interview coaching. You can find the center nearest you on the Division website. Some centers also offer training programs that may extend your benefits if you are in an approved course.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment?

After you file, the Division typically makes a decision within 5 to 10 business days. If approved, there is a one-week unpaid waiting period, then your first payment arrives. Total time is usually 2 to 3 weeks from filing to first payment, though it can be longer if your employer disputes your claim or if you need to participate in a hearing.

Can I receive unemployment if I was fired?

Yes, but only if you were not fired for misconduct. Misconduct means willful or negligent disregard of your employer's interests — being late once is not misconduct, but repeated tardiness after warnings is. If you were fired for poor performance, inability to do the job, or a single mistake, you may still be able to draw benefits. If you were fired for theft, violence, or deliberate rule-breaking, you will be denied.

What if I move out of Arkansas while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive Arkansas benefits if you move to another state, but you must file your continued claims with Arkansas and report any work you do in your new state. Some states have reciprocal agreements that make this easier. Contact the Division before you move to confirm the process.

Do I have to report gig work or side income?

Yes. Report all income, including gig work, on your continued claim form every two weeks. Your weekly benefit is reduced by the amount you earn above the threshold. If you do not report income and it is discovered later, you may be required to repay benefits and face penalties.

What happens if I find a job while receiving benefits?

Report it on your next continued claim. Your benefit will be reduced based on your new earnings. If your new job pays enough that you no longer need unemployment, you can stop filing continued claims. You do not have to notify the Division separately — just stop filing claims and your benefits end automatically.