4 Steps to Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
1. File Initial Claims Online with EZARC
File your initial claim for unemployment insurance (UI) online using EZARC (Easy Arkansas Claims).
www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov | Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Once you have completed this filing process, call the UI Hotline to have your claim processed.
1-844-908-2178 | Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
2. Provide Proof of ID
You must provide proof of ID at your local DWS office. A valid government-issued ID is required and UI claims will be held up without proof of ID.
3. Register for Work Online
Register for work online using Arkansas JobLink (AJL) at www.arjoblink.arkansas.gov. If you need assistance, visit your local DWS office.
4. File Weekly Claims
Weekly claims must be completed each week. File weekly claims online using ArkNet. www.arknet.arkansas.gov or call ArkLine 1-501-907-2590.
Remember, for UI purposes, weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.
ArkLine
DWS’ IVR System, ArkLine: Information explaining the fast and easy way to claim weekly benefits using Arkansas’ Interactive Voice Response telephone system, ArkLine.
1-501-907-2591 (Employers)
1-501-907-2590 (Applicants)
ArkNet
Continued Claims – Internet: File for weekly UI benefits from home!
Provides useful information regarding UI payments via Direct Deposit
Provides useful information regarding UI payments via Debit Card
UI Law
Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Law: The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Law that governs your UI claim can be searched in Title 11 – chapter 10 of the Arkansas Code.
UI Handbook
Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook: An explanation of the Benefit Provisions of the Employment Security Law and Policies to help you understand your rights and responsibilities while filing for unemployment insurance.
For interstate claimants, there is the UI Interstate Claimant Handbook
FAQs
Do you have a question? It might already be answered! Click here.
Contact Us
Need more information? Choose a contact from the directory of local and central office telephone numbers.
Fraud Warning
Reporting Information Accurately. Important information about claiming benefits in a truthful and accurate manner. Penalties can be assessed for willfully withholding information. You must supply correct and complete facts when filing for Arkansas unemployment insurance benefits.
It is a Crime! Arkansas Division of Workforce Services law provides for severe penalties for making false statements or for failing to disclose material facts when claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Deliberately giving false information in order to receive benefits is a crime in Arkansas:
- Theft of public benefits of more than $500.00 is a FELONY.
- Theft of a lesser amount is a MISDEMEANOR.
ADWS Claimant Fraud Newsletter
El Fraude, Es Un Crimen (Fraud Newsletter)
Report Those Who Cheat! If you know someone who is claiming benefits for which they are not entitled, report them immediately by calling: 1-501-682-1058, then ask the operator to transfer your call to the Fraud Hot Line. Cheaters hurt us all!
Remember, it’s not worth the risk! Avoid the possibility of criminal prosecution and/or stiff fines by reporting your earnings and all other information honestly and accurately.
ADWS Confidentiality Policy
DWS Protects Your Information. Read about our policies that guarantee the safety of the data you provide when filing your claim – whether over the Internet or at a local DWS office.
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services maintains strict policies and security controls to assure that your personal information in our computer systems and files is protected. We have established security controls and procedures to safeguard the information we collect about you. Any information collected via the Internet between DWS and our customers relies on industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption.
It is necessary for ADWS employees to have access to your information in order to provide service to you. However, our employees’ access is restricted to information necessary to conduct a transaction or respond to your inquiries. ADWS employees do not have access to your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
All ADWS employees are trained to respect customer privacy. Arkansas Employment Security law 11-10-314, Disclosure of Information, provides in part that information obtained by the Division of Workforce Services from any employing unit or individual, pursuant to the administration of a claim for unemployment benefits or for any determination as to rights or status of the employing unit or individual, shall be held confidential and shall be protected by government privilege.
You may also visit www.ssa.gov to read about the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), which requires state and federal agencies to protect the information we collect from you.
Appeal Tribunal
If you wish to file an appeal to the Appeal Tribunal, follow the instructions on your Notice of Agency Determination or download a Request for Appeal to Appeal Tribunal form at www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/ui-claimant-forms/. To check on the status of an appeal, contact the Appeal Tribunal at 501-682-1063.
Board of Review
If you wish to file an appeal to the Board of Review, follow the instructions on your decision notice from the Appeal Tribunal or download a Request for Appeal to Board of Review form at www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/ui-claimant-forms/. To check on the status of an appeal, contact the Board of Review at 501-683-4300.
Court of Appeals
If you wish to file an appeal to the Court of Appeals, download the Petition for Review to the Arkansas Court of Appeals form here.
Overpayments
Any questions regarding overpayments can be directed to Benefit Payment Control at 501-682-3241.
Glossary
Unemployment Insurance Words and Terms. A list of words and terms unique to UI commonly used in reference to the claim process.
