Where to file and what you need before you start

Arkansas handles unemployment claims through the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services. You file online through their website, by phone, or in person at a local workforce office. Most people file online because it is faster and you can do it from home.

Before you begin, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, the names and addresses of your employers for the past 18 months, the dates you worked at each job, and your reason for leaving or being laid off. If you were fired, have details about what happened. If you quit, be ready to explain why. Arkansas asks about this because the reason matters for whether you get paid.

You will also need your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit, though you can choose a debit card instead. Have your most recent pay stub handy so you can verify your wages.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services website (workforce.arkansas.gov) or call 1-888-234-6771 to file by phone.
  • You must have worked in Arkansas and earned enough wages in the past 12 months to meet the state's minimum requirement, which changes yearly.
  • Arkansas pays between $65 and $451 per week depending on your prior wages, for up to 16 weeks in most cases.
  • Your first payment usually arrives 7 to 10 business days after your claim is approved, but the state can take up to three weeks to process it.
  • If you were fired for misconduct, you will likely be denied; if you quit without good cause, you will also be denied.

Filing your claim online step by step

Go to workforce.arkansas.gov and look for the "File a Claim" or "Unemployment Insurance" link on the homepage. You will create an account with an email and password. The state will ask you to verify your email before you can proceed.

Once logged in, you will answer questions about your work history, your last job, why you are no longer working, and your income. Be honest and specific. If you were laid off, say so. If you quit, explain the reason — Arkansas recognizes some reasons as "good cause" (like unsafe working conditions or a significant cut in hours) and others as not (like wanting a different job). The state will contact your employer to verify what you say, so your story and theirs need to match.

You will also declare whether you are looking for work, whether you are in school, and whether you have any income coming in (including severance, vacation pay, or gig work). The state deducts a portion of what you earn from your weekly benefit, so report everything.

At the end, review your answers carefully. Submit the claim. You will get a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down the confirmation number.

What happens after you file

Arkansas sends your claim to your former employer for verification. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If they say you were fired for misconduct (theft, violence, repeated rule-breaking), your claim will be denied. If they say you quit without good cause, it will also be denied. If they do not respond or say you were laid off, you move forward.

The state then reviews your wages to make sure you earned enough. Arkansas requires you to have earned at least $1,500 in your highest-earning quarter in the past 12 months, and your total wages in the past 12 months must be at least 1.25 times what you earned in that highest quarter. If you do not meet this, you will be denied.

If you pass both checks, the state approves your claim and sends you a debit card (or deposits money into your bank account if you chose direct deposit). This usually takes 7 to 10 business days, but can take up to three weeks if there are questions.

Your weekly payment and how to claim it

Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to be paid. Arkansas does this through the same website or by phone. You declare whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you are still looking for work. If you do not file your weekly claim, you do not get paid that week.

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest quarter of earnings in the past 12 months. Arkansas divides that by 26 and pays you a percentage of that amount. The minimum is $65 per week; the maximum is $451 per week as of 2024 (this amount changes yearly). If you earned $1,500 in your best quarter, you would receive roughly $115 per week. If you earned $12,000, you would receive closer to $450 per week.

You can claim for up to 16 weeks in a regular claim year. If unemployment in Arkansas is very high, you may be able to claim for up to 20 weeks through an extended benefits program, but this is rare and only happens when the state's unemployment rate hits a certain threshold.

Common reasons claims are denied in Arkansas

Fired for misconduct: If your employer says you were fired for theft, violence, being under the influence, or repeated violations of clear workplace rules, you will be denied. Misconduct means intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence, not just poor performance or a mistake.

Quit without good cause: If you quit and your reason does not meet Arkansas's definition of "good cause," you are denied. Good cause includes unsafe conditions, a significant reduction in hours or pay, or harassment. Wanting a different job or being unhappy does not count.

Not meeting wage requirements: If you did not earn enough in the past 12 months, you are denied. This is common for people who just started working or had a very short job.

Failing to look for work: You must be actively looking for a job to receive benefits. If you tell the state you are not looking, or if you turn down a job offer without good reason, you can be denied or have your benefits stopped.

If your claim is denied or you disagree with the decision

If the state denies your claim, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining why. You have 15 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal. Do not wait — missing this important date means you lose your right to appeal.

To appeal, go back to the workforce website, log into your account, and look for the appeal option. You can also call 1-888-234-6771 and ask to file an appeal by phone. Explain why you disagree with the decision. If you were fired, explain what happened from your side. If you quit, explain the circumstances. If it is a wage issue, provide pay stubs or tax documents showing your earnings.

Your appeal goes to an Administrative Law Judge who will review your case and your employer's response. You can attend the hearing by phone. The judge will decide whether to overturn the denial. This process takes several weeks.

Reporting changes and staying on the right side of the rules

If you start working while receiving benefits, report your earnings on your weekly claim. Arkansas allows you to earn up to a certain amount before your benefit is reduced. Once you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, the state deducts dollar-for-dollar from what you receive. If you earn $200 per week and your benefit is $150, you get $0 that week.

If you move out of Arkansas, stop looking for work, go back to school full-time, or become unable to work, tell the state when ready. Failing to report changes can result in overpayment, which you will have to repay.

If you receive a payment you were not supposed to get — because of a mistake by the state or because you did not report something — the state will ask you to repay it. You can request a waiver if the overpayment was the state's fault and you did not cause it, but this is not automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Once your claim is approved, your first payment arrives 7 to 10 business days if you chose direct deposit, or up to three weeks if you are waiting for a debit card in the mail. The approval itself can take up to three weeks, so plan for a month from the time you file to when money hits your account.

Can I work part-time and still get unemployment?

Yes. Report your part-time earnings on your weekly claim. Arkansas reduces your benefit by the amount you earn above a small threshold, but you can work and collect at the same time as long as you are looking for full-time work and earning less than your weekly benefit.

What if my employer contests my claim and says I quit?

The state will contact you and ask for your side of the story. If you were laid off or fired, explain that clearly. If you quit, explain why. If your reason meets Arkansas's definition of good cause, you win. If not, you can appeal to an Administrative Law Judge within 15 days of the denial letter.

Do I have to report job search activities?

Arkansas requires you to be looking for work, but you do not have to submit a list of jobs you applied for each week. However, if the state asks you to provide proof that you are searching, you must be able to show it. Keep records of where you applied, when, and who you contacted.

What happens if I find a job while on unemployment?

Tell the state the week you start work. Your benefits will stop or be reduced depending on what you earn. If your new job pays more than your weekly benefit, you will not receive anything that week. Once you have been working for a few weeks, you can file a new claim if you lose that job.