What you need to do each week to keep your benefits active
In Arizona, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive unemployment benefits. This is separate from your initial process — it is how you tell the state each week that you are still out of work and still looking for a job. If you do not file your weekly claim, you will not receive a payment that week, even if you are otherwise may have access to to benefits.
You file through the AZDES (Arizona Department of Economic Security) online portal or by phone. Most people use the online system because it is faster and creates a record you can see when ready. The important date to file is usually Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Sunday, though you can file any day of the week.
When you file, you report whether you worked, how much you earned, and whether you refused any job offers. The state uses this information to calculate your payment for that week. Some weeks you may earn nothing and receive your full weekly benefit amount. Other weeks you may work part-time and receive a reduced payment. If you earn more than a certain amount (which varies by your benefit rate), you may receive nothing that week.
Key Takeaways
- You must file a weekly claim every week to receive a payment, even if nothing has changed since the previous week.
- File through the AZDES online portal at azui.ades.az.gov or by calling 1-866-290-6446 before the Sunday 11:59 p.m. important date.
- Report all work and earnings, including gig work and self-employment income, because failing to report reduces your payment or can trigger an overpayment.
- If you miss a important date or file late, contact AZDES when ready because some missed weeks cannot be recovered.
- Keep records of your job search activities (applications, interviews, contacts) because AZDES may ask you to prove you searched for work.
How to file online through the AZDES portal
Go to azui.ades.az.gov and log in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you will have created one when you filed your initial claim. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.
Once logged in, look for the "File Weekly Claim" or "Weekly Certification" button. The system will ask you a series of yes-or-no questions about the past week: Did you work? Did you earn any money? Did anyone offer you a job? Did you refuse any work? Did you look for work? Answer each question honestly. If you answer yes to working or earning money, you will be asked to enter the amount and the name of the employer.
After you answer all questions, review your responses and submit. The system will show you a confirmation number and the date your payment is expected. Most payments arrive within 24 to 48 hours after you file, though it can take longer if there is a problem with your claim.
Filing by phone if you cannot use the online system
Call 1-866-290-6446 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time). Have your Social Security number and claim number ready. A representative will ask you the same questions the online system asks and will file your claim over the phone.
Phone lines are often busy, especially early in the week. If you reach a busy signal, try again later or use the online portal instead. Some people are required to file by phone — for example, if you are over 65 or have a disability that makes online filing difficult — but most people can file online.
What to report about work and earnings
Report all work, including part-time jobs, gig work (Uber, DoorDash, TaskRabbit), freelance work, and self-employment. Do not assume that small amounts of money do not need to be reported. Arizona reduces your weekly benefit by a percentage of your earnings, so even $50 in gig work will lower your payment.
If you worked multiple jobs in one week, report each one separately with the employer name and total earnings. If you are unsure whether something counts as work, report it. Failing to report work is fraud, and the state will ask you to repay any overpayment plus penalties.
If you earned tips or cash payments, include those too. If you received a bonus or reimbursement from a previous employer, report it in the week you received it. If you are not sure of the exact amount, give your best estimate and correct it the following week if needed.
Missing the important date or filing late
The important date is Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for the week ending that Sunday. If you miss the important date, you can still file, but you may lose the payment for that week. Arizona has a "late filing" rule: if you file more than 10 days after the week ends, you cannot receive payment for that week.
If you miss a important date, call AZDES when ready at 1-866-290-6446 and explain why. In some cases — for example, if the website was down or you had a medical emergency — the state may waive the late-filing penalty. But you must contact them quickly. Do not wait until the following week to report a missed claim.
If you know you will not be able to file on time, file early instead. You can file for the current week any day of that week, so if you know you will be busy on Sunday, file on Thursday or Friday.
What happens if you refuse work or do not search for work
When you file your weekly claim, AZDES asks whether you refused any job offers and whether you looked for work. If you answer yes to refusing work, you must explain why. Refusing work without good cause can disqualify you from benefits for that week or longer.
Good cause to refuse work includes: the job is not in your field or skill level, the pay is significantly lower than your usual wage, the hours conflict with childcare or transportation, or the job involves unsafe conditions. Refusing work because you do not feel like working or because you want to wait for a better offer is not good cause.
Arizona does not require you to prove you searched for work every week, but the state can ask you at any time to show evidence of your job search. Keep records of every job process, interview, phone call, and networking contact. If AZDES asks and you cannot show proof, you may lose benefits.
Payment timing and what to do if payment is late
After you file your weekly claim, your payment is usually deposited into your account within 24 to 48 hours. The state deposits payments onto a debit card issued by Bank of America, or directly into your bank account if you set that up during your initial claim.
If your payment does not arrive within 48 hours, log back into the AZDES portal and check the status of your claim. If it shows "Approved" but you have not received the money, the delay is usually with the bank, not the state. Wait another 24 hours. If it still has not arrived, call the Bank of America customer service number on the back of your debit card.
If your claim shows "Pending" or "Under Review," there may be a problem. Call AZDES at 1-866-290-6446 and ask why your claim is not approved. Common reasons include: you did not answer a question, you reported earnings that need verification, or there is a flag on your account from a previous issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my weekly claim early, or do I have to wait until the week is over?
You can file early. Many people file on Thursday or Friday for the week ending Sunday. Filing early does not change your payment amount — you will still report the same earnings and work history. The only reason to wait is if you are not sure how much you will earn by Sunday.
What if I worked part of the week and was laid off mid-week?
Report the work and earnings you had before the layoff. You will receive a reduced payment for that week based on what you earned. You are still may have access to to benefits for the days you were not working. The following week, if you do not work, you will receive your full weekly benefit amount (assuming you meet all other requirements).
Do I have to report a job interview or job offer I turned down?
Only if you refused a job offer. A job interview that did not result in an offer does not need to be reported. If someone offered you a job and you said no, report it and explain why you refused. If the reason is not good cause, that week's payment may be denied.
What if I cannot file by Sunday because I am working or traveling?
File early during the week, or file by phone if the online system is not available to you. You can also ask AZDES for a waiver of the late-filing penalty if you have a documented reason (medical emergency, work conflict, system outage). Call 1-866-290-6446 to request a waiver before the important date if possible.
If I miss one week of filing, can I go back and file it later?
You can file up to 10 days late and still receive payment for that week. After 10 days, that week is lost and you cannot recover the payment. If you realize you missed a week, file when ready for that week and then file for the current week. Call AZDES to confirm both claims were received.