Arizona Unemployment Benefits
Are you physically able to work? 
Are you willing to actively look for a job?
Did your employer pay unemployment taxes ("Covered Employment")?
Did you earn at least $2250 in the base period in Arizona? Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you are filing today, base period is Jan 2012 - Mar 2012 to Oct 2012 - Dec 2012
 How did you lose your job? 
Did you quit your last job due to unsafe working conditions, not being paid, discrimination and / or health and safety risks?
Were you fired for no fault of your own?
Were you laid off for no fault of your own?
Apply Online:
Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to claim benefits. Check for more specific details such as timings and requirements to claim benefits in your state. 
CALL: 1-877-600-2722. Phoenix #: 602-364-2722.
Tucson #: 520-791-2722. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 1-877-877-6226
Visit UC Center:
You can’t seem to find assistance on call? No worries. Visit one of the UC center and let the specialist help you out. Please note that wait times can be longer but assistance is guaranteed. you are not eligible | |||||||||
What is the Eligibility Criteria in Arizona?There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification. To learn more check unemployment eligibility article A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. Claim your benefits
How to File Your Initial Claim in Arizona?Information needed is as follows: If You Are Not a United States Citizen You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job. How to File Your Weekly Claim?After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are: You can file your weekly claim: File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You should claim at least one week before we can make a decision on your eligibility. How to Claim for an Extension?If you are presently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits; carry on filing your weekly claim if you are jobless or working reduced hours. You will be informed by mail of your eligibility for the added benefits. In case you have been filing weekly claims and are still laid off or working reduced hours, you will have to file an application for these extra benefits online or by telephone. You will be alerted by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits. To be eligible for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits you must: To be eligible for EB benefits you must:
View all questions Arizona Unemployment QuestionsWhat is the Shared Work Program? The Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program is an alternative for employers faced with a reduction in force. It allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while working reduced hours. The Shared Work Program is not available to an employee unless the employer for whom the individual is currently working reduced hours completes an application which then must be approved by the Department of Economic Security. An approved Shared Work Plan is valid for one year and an employee may be eligible for up to 26 weeks of Shared Work benefits. What are the eligibility requirements? The employee is eligible for Shared Work benefits for each week in which: How does the Shared Work Program differ from regular Unemployment Insurance? Under the Shared Work Program, an employee is not required to: As an employer, how will the Shared Work Program affect my UI Tax Account? Shared Work benefits are charged against reimbursement and experience-rated employer accounts in the same manner as regular benefits are charged. However, any experience-rated employer having a negative reserve in his/her tax account and having employees paid Shared Work benefits during the fiscal year July 1 through June 30 may have a surtax added. The surtax will be added to the computed rate of negative reserve accounts. What other criteria must the employer meet? The employer must certify that, for the duration of the Shared Work plan, the reduction in hours replaces a layoff which would have resulted in a reduction of at least the same number of hours of work. What are the advantages (and disadvantages) of participating in the Shared Work Program? Advantages to the Shared Work Program How can an employer apply for a Shared Work Plan? A Shared Work Plan Application is available online. Your completed application and list of participants should be submitted at least 10 days prior to the date you wish your plan to begin. You will be notified by mail of the approval or disapproval of your plan. An employer may have two or more plans in effect at the same time (to cover separate groups of employees). Each plan must include at least two employees, and all must be identified by name and Social Security Number. Each plan must specify the beginning date for the plan. On the application, the employer must certify that: Working in multiple states If you have Arizona wages and also worked in another state, or currently reside in Arizona and have earnings from employers in two or more other states (within the base period), you may choose to combine these wages to establish monetary eligibility. If you were employed in more than one state at any time during the current base period, you may have the option of: - Filing a claim against any state in which you were employed using only the wages from that state, or - Filing a claim against any state in which you were employed, using the wages from all states in which you earned wages. State unemployment laws, weekly benefit amounts and eligibility requirements vary between states. Which option is best for you will depend upon the laws in each state that you worked. If all of your employment during the base period has been in a state other than Arizona, you must file a claim for benefits against that state Additional Eligibility Creteria To qualify for benefits, you must have been paid wages in insured employment of: - At least $1,500 in one of the four quarters of the base period and your total base period wages must be at least 1-1/2 times your high quarter, or - At least $7,000 in total wages in at least two quarters of the base period, with wages in one quarter equal to $5,987.50 or more. Filing weekly claims You must file regular weekly claims: - while you are waiting to see if you are eligible, - after you have been determined eligible, and - after you have begun receiving payments. If you miss filing your weekly claim, the system will no longer recognize you. Failing to file a weekly can result in a delay in having your benefits approved and/or in receiving your weekly benefit payments. Even if you know that you were not eligible during a specific week, as long as you are still unemployed and wish to continue receiving benefit payments, you should file for that week.
How Benefits are calculated?To calculate your weekly benefits amount click here The minimum benefits amount in Arizona is $60. The maximum benefits amount in Arizona is $240 A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. To learn more Unemployment benefits article |
|||||||||
Eligibility
Calculator
Apply
I presently work at a major food store chain here in Arizona. I work part time. I’ve been informed by my doctor that I will need surgery. If the company will not allow me to take a leave of absence and advises me that I have to quit my position would I be able to draw unemployment? Thank you
I have filed a claim. When will I hear from your office
cale
My employer has cut my hours from 40 to 24 per week can I file for partial unemployment?
I need to add wages that were (for some unknown reason) not used to dermine my eligibility for benefits. I do not know how to do this on-line.
You can add your wages by visiting https://www.azdes.gov/landing.aspx?id=5242 . Make sure you have all the information needed before you start the process.
I am currently working only a few days aweek. This may be my last week and I will be layed off. How do I know if I will qualify for unemployment. I worked may 15th 2011 thru it will be the 2nd week of oct 2011 and had no prior work for 2 years before this job.
If I find employment and report earnings, is UIB stopped. Is there an amount formula for earnings reported to still receive partial UIB?
Do I qualify for unemployment if I work part time started in Sept. 17.50 hours per week and if I get a early retirement of only 372 dollars. I got laid off June 29th was my last day but my severance pay ran out in November.
I moved to Nevada and did not receive my 1099 for 2012. How can I receive a copy? Also, what is your Federal ID number?
Thank you,
Raquel
What if someone you know moves from one state to Arizonia, is living with someone else, files for unemployment when thet left their job willingly, and files for food assistant claiming minor dependents, when they don’t live with them. How do I confirm if this has been done or just let it be and do nothing?
Dear Sir,
I am permanent resident of USA and live in AZ since oct 2012, since then I have been applying for jobs but iam still unemployed ,am I eligible for unemployment benefits. please let me know at the earliest as i have very less money left.I am trying my best to get a job , thank you
You will be eligible if you make an active effort for work each week that you claim benefits.
An active work search includes the usual methods of obtaining work that you are suited for by experience, education and/or training. An ample search for work is a sincere effort, and is not just an attempt to remain eligible for benefits.
General inquiries and phone calls are considered basic explorations of the job market. These should be accompanied by suitable follow-ups, which may consist of personal visits and submission of applications and resumes.
Arizona defines a systematic and sustained work search as making work search contacts on at least four days of the week. These contacts can be in person, by mail, or through the internet. Looking for work at your local Employment Service office can count as one of your contacts
I have been trying to fill out a form to start my claim for unemployment benift’s, as I was laid off 5-13-2013, have tried every site, and still have not been able to file, and no phone# avaiable, the phone# they listed said they no longer do this on the phone, and the sites that I have gone on have one product after another that they want me to try, I do not want any of this, just want to fill out the form for UI, please give me just a site for just the form, and not all the garbage of wanting me to try or by stuff, this has been very cofusing for me, why can’t they just put up a simple site? please reply via my e-mail thank you, M Boslett
Hi Mary,
Here is the link to Arizona’s official unemployment site – https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=317&id=3861 please use this site to file for unemployment. More information on necessary documents on our site and you have nothing to fill in or any product that we sponsor.
How do I apply for emergency unemployment wages and how soon will I receive them after applying?
I was just just let go from my job at the home depot. How can I file and for how long will I get unemployment
Hi Grayson,
You have a possibility of receiving compensation as your seem to be not at fault for having lost the job. But, there is also a minimum earning requirement to be eligible. This is called monetary requirement. You will have to check if you have sufficient earnings in the base period under covered employment. You may be entitled to up to 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits
If i started working full time in october off 2812 to may off 2013 would i wualify for ui benifits.
Hi Rose,
The state determines you eligibility to receive benefits not only on how long you worked, but also on how you lost your job and how much you earned during the base period. Your benefit amount amount is calculated based on your earnings in the base period (the period of employment). Generally at least 4 calendar quarters of employment is needed to receive benefits which means 12 months. However, your state may choose to provide unemployment benefits based on other alternate methods.
Check for other eligibility requirements in your state before proceeding to apply.
Is anyone else having problems when trying to log into file your weekly claim? Its not letting me view or file. Gives an error message. Also, does anyone know when it will be fixed?
Hi Jessica,
The call center and certain functional areas were closed on 27th as it was a state holiday (Memorial Day). You might have faced some problem due to this. Any information you need should be available by wednesday at the latest.
The website is still not letting you file! You cannot call your claim in and the site was also not working on Sun. When will I be able to file my claim and recieve my benefits? You guys need to get your site up so people can file. People depend on there weekly cash deposit. I have been working straight for 9 years, and have more than paid my dues, I would have got my payment already but instead i am sitting here wondering if I’ll be able to put gas in my car or food on the table, thanks Arizona State Dept. You cant even talk to anyone when you call. What am I supposed to do?
Hi Jessica,
This is indeed a big issue. We have couple of other users complaining about the site. It might help if you could visit the nearest unemployment office. It sure is an inconvenience, but should be able to help.
I have filed for U/I three seperate times and have been denied. The last two as a school bus driver i was let go due to a surgery, i had my (fmla)ran out and i was fired.Three months later i found employment at another school but never was awarded u/i. And now im on summer break and was denied again.I was told “school bus drivers are not qualifed for u/i” But i have friends at other school bus companies that receive it. Can someone explain this to me?
Hi Tony,
You must be able and available to work while collecting benefits, so I think the 1st time you were out for surgery, you were unable to work and hence were denied benefits. If you were fired for work related misconduct, then you will be denied benefits. Summer break is a seasonal holiday in your employment and hence you may have been denied benefits. Drivers sure receive benefits.