What Arkansas unemployment benefits are and who receives them

Arkansas unemployment benefits are weekly cash payments from the state's Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services. The program covers workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own — layoffs, business closures, and reduction in hours all count. You fund these benefits through payroll taxes your employer pays; you do not pay into the system directly.

The state pays a portion of your lost wages for up to 26 weeks, though the exact amount depends on your prior earnings. Arkansas does not have an extended benefits program that kicks in during recessions, so once the 26 weeks end, payments stop unless federal emergency programs are active (which is rare and temporary).

You must be out of work or working reduced hours, actively looking for work, and available to start a job when ready. If you quit, were fired for misconduct, or are in school full-time, you will not receive benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Arkansas pays unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks if you lost your job through no fault of your own and meet work-search requirements.
  • Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the highest-paid quarter of the past year, with a state maximum that changes annually.
  • You must file your claim with the Arkansas Department of Commerce within two weeks of losing your job to protect your payment start date.
  • You are required to search for work each week and report your job-search activities when the state asks, or your benefits will stop.
  • If your employer contests your claim, you have the right to a hearing where you can present your side of what happened.

How to file your claim and what documents you need

File your claim online through the Arkansas Department of Commerce website at workforce.arkansas.gov. You can also file by phone at 1-888-224-5627. Filing online is faster — you will receive a confirmation number when ready, and the state processes online claims more quickly than phone claims.

Have these documents ready before you start: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, the name and address of your most recent employer, your hire date and last day worked, and the reason you are no longer employed. If you were laid off, have the layoff notice if you have it. If your hours were cut, have a recent pay stub showing the reduction.

File within two weeks of your last day of work. Arkansas counts your benefit start date from the week you file, not from the week you lost your job, so filing quickly protects you. If you wait three weeks, you lose one week of potential payments.

After you file, the state will contact your employer to verify the separation. Your employer may say you quit, were fired for cause, or left voluntarily — if they do, the state will contact you for your account of what happened. Answer promptly and honestly; this is your chance to explain your side.

How much you receive and when payments arrive

Arkansas calculates your weekly benefit amount by taking your earnings from the highest-paid quarter in the past year, dividing by 26, and multiplying by a percentage set by state law. The percentage is currently 50% of your average weekly wage, with a state maximum that changes each year. For 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $587, though most workers receive less.

If you earned $400 per week on average in your highest quarter, you would receive roughly $200 per week. If you earned $1,200 per week, you would receive $587 (the state cap). Part-time workers and seasonal workers often receive lower amounts because their quarterly earnings are lower.

Payments arrive by direct deposit or debit card, usually within 7 to 10 days of your claim being approved. The state does not mail checks. You must provide a valid bank account or accept a debit card issued by the state. If you do not have a bank account, the debit card is your only option.

Work-search requirements and reporting your job-seeking activities

You must search for work each week you receive benefits. Arkansas requires you to make at least three job contacts per week — this means explore for jobs, attending interviews, or speaking directly with employers about openings. Online applications count as contacts.

The state does not require you to report your job searches every week. However, the Department of Commerce conducts random audits and may ask you to provide proof of your three weekly contacts. If you cannot show that you searched, your benefits will be suspended or terminated.

Keep a written log of every job you explore for, including the employer name, date, position title, and how you applied. Write down the name of anyone you spoke to. This takes five minutes per week and protects you if the state asks for proof.

You must also be available to start work when ready. If you are in school full-time, traveling, or have restrictions on when you can work, you cannot receive benefits. If you are in school part-time and can work full-time hours, you may still be may be able to access.

Reasons the state will deny or stop your benefits

Arkansas will deny your claim if you quit your job without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or left to go to school. "Good cause" means circumstances beyond your control — unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a significant change in job duties might may have access to, but personal reasons like wanting a different job do not.

The state will stop your benefits if you refuse a suitable job offer, fail to search for work, do not respond to state requests for information, or earn too much money. If you work part-time while receiving benefits, the state deducts your earnings from your weekly payment (usually dollar-for-dollar after a small earnings allowance).

If you are receiving benefits and your employer contests your separation, the state will hold your benefits pending a hearing. You will not lose the money — it will be held in a pending status. If you win the hearing, you receive all held payments. If you lose, you must repay the benefits you received.

If you receive benefits you were not may have access to to — whether by mistake or misreporting — Arkansas may ask you to repay the amount. If the overpayment was your fault, you can request a repayment plan. If the state made the error, you may not have to repay.

What happens if your employer contests your claim

When you file, Arkansas contacts your employer to verify you were separated. Your employer has 10 days to respond. If they say you quit or were fired for cause, the state will contact you and ask for your account of what happened.

You will receive a letter explaining the employer's reason for separation and asking you to respond in writing. Send your response within 10 days. Explain clearly what happened — if you were laid off, say so. If you were fired, explain what led to it and whether you believe it was misconduct or a misunderstanding.

If the state cannot resolve the disagreement from written statements, it will schedule a hearing. You have the right to attend, present evidence, and answer questions. You can bring documents (pay stubs, emails, witness statements) and speak on your own behalf. The hearing officer will decide whether you are may have access to to benefits based on the facts presented.

Hearings are held by phone or video conference. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one. The decision usually arrives within two weeks of the hearing.

Special circumstances: partial unemployment, self-employment, and federal pandemic programs

If your hours were cut but you still work part-time, you may receive partial unemployment benefits. The state calculates your weekly benefit as if you were fully unemployed, then deducts what you earn. If you earn $100 per week and your full benefit is $300, you receive $200 (minus a small earnings allowance, usually $25 to $50).

If you are self-employed or own a business, you are not covered by Arkansas unemployment insurance. The state only covers employees. If you closed your business and have no income, you do not have a path to unemployment benefits through this program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government created temporary programs (Pandemic Unemployment information and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation) that extended benefits and covered self-employed workers. These programs ended in September 2021 and are not currently active. If a new federal emergency program is created, the state will announce it through the Department of Commerce website.

How to appeal a denial or contact the state for help

If the state denies your claim or stops your benefits, you will receive a written decision letter explaining the reason. The letter includes instructions for filing an appeal. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to appeal.

File your appeal in writing by mail or online through the Department of Commerce website. Include your claim number (on your decision letter), a brief explanation of why you disagree, and any documents that support your position. Mail appeals to the address on your decision letter.

After you appeal, the state schedules a hearing before an administrative law judge. You will receive notice of the hearing date at least 10 days in advance. Attend the hearing, present your evidence, and answer questions. The judge will issue a written decision within 30 days.

If you have questions about your claim, call the Department of Commerce at 1-888-224-5627. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. The state also has a live chat option on the workforce.arkansas.gov website during business hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive unemployment benefits if I was fired?

Only if you were not fired for misconduct. If you were fired for poor performance, attendance issues, or violating a clear workplace rule you knew about, that is misconduct and disqualifies you. If you were fired for a reason unrelated to your conduct — the position was eliminated, the business closed, or you were let go without cause — you are may have access to to benefits. Your employer will explain the reason when the state contacts them.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

If your claim is approved with no issues, your first payment arrives 7 to 10 days after approval. Approval itself usually takes 3 to 5 business days if your employer does not contest the claim. If your employer contests it, approval is delayed pending a hearing, which can take 2 to 4 weeks. File when ready after losing your job to avoid delays.

What if I find a job while receiving benefits?

Tell the state when ready. Your benefits will stop the week you start work. If you earn money in a week you also received a benefit payment, the state will deduct your earnings from that week's payment. You do not have to repay benefits you already received for weeks you were unemployed.

Can I receive unemployment benefits while in school?

Not if you are a full-time student. Arkansas considers full-time enrollment (usually 12 or more credit hours) incompatible with being available for work. If you are a part-time student taking fewer than 12 credits and can work full-time hours, you may be may be able to access. Disclose your school status when you file your claim.

What if I disagree with the amount I am receiving?

Request a wage record review. The state calculates your benefit based on earnings reported by your employer to the tax system. If your employer reported incorrect wages, or if you believe your highest-earning quarter was calculated wrong, contact the Department of Commerce and ask for a wage record review. Bring recent pay stubs as proof. The state will contact your employer to verify earnings.