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Lost your job in Arkansas? How unemployment works

Arkansas pays regular unemployment insurance through the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (Division of Reemployment). Weekly benefits run $81–$451 for up to 12 weeks. 12 weeks for initial claims filed on or after January 1, 2024 (Act 196 of 2023, formerly 16 weeks). Total is also limited to one third of base-period wages. 1 unpaid waiting week. Last checked .

What to do this week

  1. File your claim now. The claim is effective the day you submit and get the confirmation page. The benefit year begins on the first day of the calendar quarter in which you file. You can file online, in person. Open the ADWS filing page or call 844-908-2178 (UI Hotline: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.).
  2. Gather your records. The agency will ask for your last employers, dates and pay. To qualify: Base-period wages in at least two quarters, and total base-period earnings of at least 35 times the weekly benefit amount (the table starts at $2,835 for the $81 minimum).
  3. Start certifying every week. Weekly, online in Arkansas LAUNCH (Sun 12:01 a.m.-6 p.m.; Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m.) or by phone on Arkline, 501-907-2590. Weeks run Sunday-Saturday. At least five qualifying work search activities each week (applying, interviewing, one job fair per week, Workforce Center skill training, or approved in-demand training). They must be reported with the weekly certification and are audited.
  4. Line up other help. Arkansas SNAP income limits, Arkansas health coverage.

Arkansas unemployment at a glance

Agency
Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (Division of Reemployment) (ADWS)
Weekly benefit
$81–$451 (table in force from July 1, 2012)
Most weeks
12 — 12 weeks for initial claims filed on or after January 1, 2024 (Act 196 of 2023, formerly 16 weeks). Total is also limited to one third of base-period wages.
Waiting week
The first eligible week is an unpaid waiting week. You must still meet the eligibility requirements and certify for it.
Appeal deadline
You have 20 days from the mailing date of the Notice of Agency Determination to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.
Spanish / Chinese help
Spanish UI handbook, Spanish claim and weekly claim forms and appeal forms at https://dws.arkansas.gov/workforce-services/unemployment-2/ui-claimant-forms/. Marshallese, Vietnamese and Lao forms are also posted. No Chinese.

How much you could get

The highest weekly amount is $451, and the table starts at $81. The ADWS table is dated July 1, 2012 and the January 2026 handbook still says $451. How it is figured: The ADWS Benefit and Earnings Table sets the weekly amount from average base-period wages (about one twenty-sixth of the average quarterly wages); base-period earnings must be at least 35 times the weekly amount.

At the top of the table — $451 a week for 12 weeks — the most a claim can pay is $5,412. That is a ceiling, not a typical claim; most people get less because the amount follows past wages.

Who qualifies

  • Base period. The first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
  • Work and wages. Base-period wages in at least two quarters, and total base-period earnings of at least 35 times the weekly benefit amount (the table starts at $2,835 for the $81 minimum).
  • If you quit. You may receive benefits if you left for good cause related to the job (for example unsafe working conditions); leaving for personal reasons not related to work is not eligible.
  • If you were fired. You may not receive benefits if you were fired for misconduct (careless or deliberate behavior that results in being fired or suspended).
  • Part-time, gig and self-employed work. Part-time earnings are reported weekly; the Benefit and Earnings Table lets you earn about 40% of your weekly amount before a dollar-for-dollar reduction. The handbook does not describe self-employed or gig coverage.

Weekly certification, taxes and appeals

How to file
File the initial claim online in EZARC, prove your identity (Login.gov, USPS, or a Workforce Center), then create an Arkansas LAUNCH account for weekly certifications. The UI Hotline answers questions; Workforce Centers help in person.
Weekly certification
Weekly, online in Arkansas LAUNCH (Sun 12:01 a.m.-6 p.m.; Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m.) or by phone on Arkline, 501-907-2590. Weeks run Sunday-Saturday.
Work search
At least five qualifying work search activities each week (applying, interviewing, one job fair per week, Workforce Center skill training, or approved in-demand training). They must be reported with the weekly certification and are audited.
Taxes
Benefits are taxable income for state and federal returns; you may choose 10% federal withholding.
State withholding
No. ADWS can withhold federal income tax only.
If you are denied
Arkansas Appeal Tribunal (mail P.O. Box 8013 Little Rock, email ADWS.UI.Hotline@arkansas.gov, or any Workforce Center) Keep certifying every week while the appeal is pending.
Overpayments
Overpaid benefits must be repaid; mail payments to Benefit Payment Control, and fraud adds penalties, interest and possible 10-year disqualification when $1,000 or more is involved. The pages reviewed do not describe a waiver process.

Good to know in Arkansas

  • Arkansas moved the work search count to five contacts for claims after Jan 1, 2024 (Act 587).
  • ADWS did not publish a dependents allowance; none found.
  • Wages needed: DOL July 2026 shows '35 x WBA; wages in 2 qtrs'; the ADWS table confirms 35 x WBA.

Sources

Legal and agency information, not legal advice. Rules and benefit tables change — confirm with ADWS before you rely on a number. How we check: methodology.