What you need to do each week to keep your benefits active

In Arkansas, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive unemployment benefits. This is separate from your initial claim — it is a certification that you remain out of work and meet the program's requirements that week. You file through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Workforce Services, either online or by phone.

The state processes weekly claims on a rolling schedule based on your Social Security number. You will have a specific day each week when your claim window opens, and you must file within that window — usually a seven-day period. If you miss the important date, you lose benefits for that week and may have to contact DHS to reopen your claim.

Filing takes about five minutes if you have the right information ready. The state asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned, whether you refused any job offers, and whether you are still able and available to work. Your answers determine whether you receive your full weekly benefit amount, a reduced amount, or nothing that week.

Key Takeaways

  • Your weekly claim window opens on a specific day each week based on your Social Security number, and you have seven days to file before losing that week's benefits.
  • File online through the DHS Workforce Services portal or call the automated phone line; both are available 24 hours a day.
  • Report any wages you earned that week, even part-time or gig work, because Arkansas reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earned.
  • Answer honestly about job refusals and your ability to work, because false statements can result in overpayment demands and disqualification.
  • If you miss your filing window, contact DHS when ready to request a late filing; waiting makes it harder to recover the missed week.

Finding your weekly claim filing day and important date

Arkansas assigns your filing day based on the last digit of your Social Security number. The state publishes a schedule showing which digit corresponds to which day of the week. For example, if your number ends in 1, you might file on Mondays; if it ends in 2, Tuesdays, and so on. You can find this schedule on the DHS Division of Workforce Services website or in the welcome packet you received when your claim was approved.

Your filing window runs for seven calendar days starting on your assigned day. If your day is Monday, your window is Monday through Sunday. You must file within that window every single week. The state's system closes your window at midnight on the seventh day, and any filing after that is considered late. Late filings are possible but require you to contact DHS and explain why you missed the important date — and there is no may provide they will accept it.

Mark your filing day on a calendar or set a phone reminder for the first day of your window. Many people file on their assigned day itself rather than waiting, which removes the risk of forgetting before the window closes.

Filing online through the DHS portal

The online method is fastest and available 24 hours a day. Go to the Arkansas DHS Division of Workforce Services website and log into your account using your Social Security number and password. If you do not have a password, you will need to create one during your first login.

Once logged in, look for the option to file your weekly claim or weekly certification. The system will ask you a series of yes-or-no and fill-in-the-blank questions. Have the following information ready: the total amount you earned that week (if any), the name and contact information of any employer you worked for, and details about any job interviews or offers you received. The form takes about five minutes to complete.

After you submit, the system shows a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will receive an email confirmation within a few hours. If you do not receive an email within 24 hours, log back in and check whether your filing went through — sometimes the submission fails silently.

Filing by phone if you cannot use the website

Arkansas operates an automated phone line for weekly claims. Call the number listed on your DHS correspondence or the Division of Workforce Services website. The system is voice-activated and available around the clock, seven days a week. You will need your Social Security number and PIN, which was sent to you when your claim was approved. If you lost the PIN, you can request a new one through the website or by calling DHS during business hours.

The phone system walks you through the same questions as the online form. Speak clearly when answering, because the system sometimes misunderstands accents or background noise. After you finish, the system gives you a confirmation number verbally — write it down when ready. You will also receive a confirmation by mail within a few days.

If the automated system disconnects or you need to speak to a person, stay on the line after the menu ends and you will be transferred to a DHS representative. Wait times can be long, especially early in the week, so call during off-peak hours if possible (late afternoon or early evening).

What to report about work and earnings

Report any money you earned that week, no matter how small or temporary. This includes wages from a part-time job, gig work (delivery, rideshare, freelance), self-employment income, bonuses, and commissions. Arkansas reduces your weekly benefit by a percentage of your earnings — typically 25 percent of what you earned above a small threshold. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive nothing that week, but you still file to keep your claim active.

Be exact about the amount. If you are paid weekly and have not yet received your paycheck, estimate based on hours worked and your hourly rate, then report the actual amount the following week when you know it. If you made a mistake on a previous week's filing, you can amend it by contacting DHS — do not ignore it and hope it goes away, because the state will eventually catch the discrepancy and demand repayment.

If you worked part of the week and then were laid off or quit, report only the earnings from the days you actually worked. If you received severance pay, report it as earnings for the week you received it. If you received a bonus for work done in a previous period, report it in the week you received the payment, not when you earned it.

Reporting job refusals and your availability to work

Arkansas requires you to be able and available to work and to actively search for work. Your weekly claim asks whether you refused any job offers or were unable to work that week. Answer these questions truthfully, because lying disqualifies you and can result in demands to repay all benefits you received.

If you turned down a job offer, you must have a good reason — illness, childcare emergency, or a job that pays significantly less than your usual work. Refusing work because you did not like the hours, the commute, or the employer is not a valid reason and will disqualify you. If you were sick or injured and unable to work, report it. If you had a legitimate reason to refuse a job, be ready to explain it to DHS if they contact you.

If you are in school, undergoing medical treatment, or have other commitments that limit your availability, you may still be able to receive benefits, but you must report these restrictions when you file. Some people lose benefits because they did not disclose that they were no longer available to work full-time. If your situation changes, update DHS when ready rather than waiting until your next weekly filing.

What happens after you file and how long payment takes

After you file your weekly claim, DHS processes it within one to three business days. If everything is in order, your benefit payment is deposited into your bank account or loaded onto your debit card (depending on how you set up payment) within five to seven business days of filing. Some weeks are faster; some are slower depending on DHS workload.

You can check the status of your claim by logging into the DHS portal or calling the automated line. The system shows whether your claim was approved, is pending, or was denied. If it was denied, the reason appears on screen — common reasons include earning too much that week, missing the filing important date, or a discrepancy in your answers.

If your claim is denied and you believe the decision is wrong, you have the right to request a hearing. You must request it within 10 days of the denial. Contact DHS to file an appeal, and you will be scheduled for a phone or in-person hearing with an administrative law judge. Bring documentation of your earnings, job search efforts, or any other evidence supporting your case.

Common mistakes that delay or stop your benefits

The most common mistake is missing your filing important date. Once your seven-day window closes, you cannot file that week's claim through the normal system. You must call DHS and request a late filing, which may or may not be approved. Even if it is approved, you may wait weeks for payment. File on your assigned day or within the first few days of your window to avoid this entirely.

The second mistake is underreporting or failing to report earnings. The state cross-checks your claim against employer wage reports and tax records. If you earned money and did not report it, DHS will discover it months later and demand repayment of the benefits you should not have received, plus penalties. Report everything, even if it reduces your benefit that week.

The third mistake is answering questions incorrectly or unclearly. If you say you refused a job offer but do not explain why, DHS may deny your claim and ask you to clarify. If you say you were unable to work but do not specify why, the same thing happens. Answer every question fully and honestly. If the form does not have space for your explanation, call DHS and provide it verbally — ask them to note it in your file.

A fourth mistake is not updating your contact information. If DHS needs to reach you about a discrepancy or to verify information, they will call or mail you. If your phone number or address is wrong in their system, you will miss the message, and your claim may be denied by default. Update your contact information when ready if you move or change your phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I worked part of the week and was laid off mid-week?

Report only the wages you earned for the days you actually worked. If you were laid off on Wednesday, report earnings for Monday through Wednesday. You are still filing a claim for the full week because you were unemployed for part of it and available to work the rest. Arkansas will reduce your benefit based on the partial week's earnings.

Can I file my weekly claim early, before my window opens?

No. The system will not accept a filing before your assigned day. If you try to file early, the portal will show an error message. You must wait until your filing day arrives. If you are worried about forgetting, set a reminder for your assigned day rather than trying to file ahead of time.

What if I get paid on a day that is after my filing important date?

File your claim based on what you know at the time. If you have not been paid yet, estimate your earnings based on hours worked and hourly rate. When you file your next week's claim, report the actual amount you received the previous week. You can also amend a previous week's claim by calling DHS if the amount was significantly different from your estimate.

Do I have to file if I worked full-time that week and earned more than my benefit?

Yes. You must file every week, even if you earned enough that week to receive zero benefits. Filing keeps your claim active. If you do not file, your claim may be closed, and you will have to reopen it if you become unemployed again. File every week without exception.

What if the DHS website is down when my filing window is open?

Use the phone line instead. The automated phone system is usually available even when the website is down for maintenance. If both are unavailable, call DHS during business hours and explain that you could not file due to a system outage. Ask them to note the date and time in your file. Most of the time, DHS will accept a late filing if the outage was documented and you filed as soon as the system came back online.