What Arizona pays you each week

Arizona's Department of Economic Security (DES) calculates your weekly payment based on your earnings during a specific 12-month period called the base period. The state divides your total base-period earnings by 52 weeks, then pays you 60% of that average weekly wage — up to a maximum amount that changes each year.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Arizona is adjusted annually on January 1st. For 2024, the maximum is $480 per week; this figure changes yearly based on state wage data. Your actual payment will be lower unless your base-period average was very high. The minimum payment is $16 per week if you meet all other requirements.

Arizona also offers a dependent allowance of $15 per week for each dependent child under age 18 (or under 19 if still in high school), up to a maximum of four dependents. This means you could receive up to $60 extra per week on top of your base benefit if you have may have access to dependents and report them to DES.

Key Takeaways

  • Your weekly payment is 60% of your average weekly earnings during the base period, capped at the annual maximum (which was $480 in 2024).
  • The base period is normally the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file your claim, not the most recent quarter.
  • You can add $15 per week for each dependent child under 18 (or under 19 if in high school), up to four dependents.
  • DES will calculate your payment automatically when you file; you can view your benefit amount in your online account or by calling the claims line.

How DES determines your base period

Arizona uses what is called the standard base period for most claims: the first four of the five calendar quarters when ready before the quarter in which you file. If you file in March 2024, for example, your base period runs from January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. This means your most recent quarter of work is not counted.

If the standard base period produces a very low benefit amount or zero benefit, you may be able to use an alternate base period instead. The alternate base period is the four most recent completed calendar quarters. This can help if you had a job loss or reduction in hours near the end of the standard period, or if you started working recently. You do not request this switch — DES will calculate both and pay you whichever is higher.

Only wages from employers who paid into Arizona's unemployment insurance fund count toward your benefit. Self-employment income, tips not reported to your employer, and work done for the federal government do not count. If you worked in multiple states, DES will combine wages from all states to calculate your benefit, a process called combined-wage filing.

What happens if your employer disputes your claim

When you file, DES sends a notice to your former employer asking them to confirm your employment dates, reason for separation, and wages. If your employer reports different information — for example, that you quit rather than were laid off, or that your wages were lower than you stated — DES may reduce or deny your benefit.

You will receive a written notice showing the amount DES calculated and any issues the employer raised. If you disagree with the calculation or the employer's statement, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The hearing is free, and you can present evidence (pay stubs, emails, witness statements) to support your case. Many people win their appeals by showing documentation that contradicts what the employer reported.

Partial unemployment and reduced-hours work

If you are working part-time or have had your hours reduced but are still earning some income, you may still receive a partial unemployment payment. Arizona allows you to earn up to 30% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. Any earnings above that amount are subtracted dollar-for-dollar from your payment.

For example, if your weekly benefit is $300, you can earn up to $90 per week without losing any payment. If you earn $150 that week, $60 of that ($150 minus $90) is subtracted from your $300 benefit, leaving you with $240. You must report all earnings, including tips and bonuses, when you certify your weekly claim.

How to view your calculated benefit amount

Once you file your claim, DES will calculate your benefit within 7 to 10 business days in most cases. You can check your benefit amount by logging into your account on the DES website (azdes.gov) or by calling the Unemployment Insurance Claims Line at 1-877-600-2722. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready.

Your online account shows your weekly benefit amount, your maximum benefit duration (usually 26 weeks of payments), the weeks you have already been paid, and any issues or pending determinations. If you see a discrepancy or believe the amount is wrong, you can request a recalculation by submitting documentation of your earnings (W-2s, pay stubs, or a letter from your employer) to DES.

Annual maximum changes and how they affect you

Arizona's maximum weekly benefit amount is recalculated each January 1st based on the state's average weekly wage from the prior year. When the maximum increases, your payment does not automatically go up unless you file a new claim. If you are already receiving payments under an existing claim, your weekly amount stays the same for the duration of that claim.

The maximum has ranged from $320 to $480 over the past decade, reflecting changes in Arizona wages. If you exhaust your benefits before finding work and then file a new claim later in the year, you would receive the new (possibly higher) maximum if you may have access to. This is one reason why the timing of when you file a new claim can matter if you have been out of work for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a higher payment if I had a second job during my base period?

Yes. DES combines all wages from all employers during your base period to calculate your average weekly earnings. If you worked two jobs and reported both to the unemployment insurance system, both sets of wages count. You must report all employment when you file your claim.

What if I worked in Arizona and another state during my base period?

DES will combine your wages from all states through a process called combined-wage filing. Your payment is still calculated at 60% of your combined average, capped at Arizona's maximum. The state where you file handles the payment, but the calculation includes out-of-state work.

Does DES count bonuses or commissions in my base-period earnings?

Yes, if they were paid during your base period and reported to the unemployment insurance system by your employer. Bonuses and commissions are treated as regular wages. If your employer did not report them, you can submit documentation (pay stubs, tax returns) to DES asking them to add those earnings to your record.

Why is my calculated benefit so low?

The most common reason is that your base-period earnings were low or you worked only part of the base period. Arizona's 60% formula means a lower average wage produces a lower payment. If you believe DES made an error in calculating your average, you can request a recalculation by submitting your pay stubs or W-2s as proof.

Do I have to report my dependent children every week?

No. You report dependents once when you file your initial claim, and DES adds the dependent allowance to your payment automatically. If your dependent situation changes (a child turns 19, you gain custody of a child), contact DES to update your claim so your payment adjusts accordingly.