Yes. If you are affected by the government shutdown, you can apply for benefits as soon as the shutdown occurs. Apply online at ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov, Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We need proof from you or your employer to pay benefits. The Division of Reemployment requests wage information from your federal employer after we take your claim. However, the response could be delayed because of the government shutdown. 

The Division of Reemployment asks you to provide proof of employment because we use your proof of federal wages to pay your claim even if we don’t receive a timely response from your federal employer.

That depends. The Division of Reemployment will hold payment for the first payable week of your claim, also known as the waiting week, until you receive two times your weekly benefit amount (WBA) in unemployment benefits and either return to full-time work or exhaust your benefits. If you return to work within a few days, you will not receive two times your WBA in unemployment benefits, and we will not be able to pay you for the first week you were unemployed.

If your employer pays you retroactively for the time you missed during the shutdown, you must repay the benefits you received. 

• Your employer can deduct the unemployment benefits the Division of Reemployment paid to you from the amount of retroactive pay. The employer is then responsible for refunding the benefits that you received.
• If your employer does not deduct the unemployment benefits from your retroactive pay, you are responsible for repaying the benefits you received. 

To willfully withhold information or deliberately give the wrong information when filing for unemployment insurance benefits in order to obtain benefits to which you are not entitled is FRAUD. A fraudulent act when filing for UI benefits is a crime and punishable by law, including fines and/or imprisonment.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud occurs when someone knowingly provides false information, or withholds facts, to obtain UI benefits for which they are not eligible.

Examples of Unemployment Insurance Fraud

• Providing false information or withholding information when applying for UI benefits
• Deliberately reporting incorrect or zero wages
• Saying you are able and available to work, or actively looking for work, when you’re not
• Failing to report ALL gross earnings during the week in which they are earned while claiming UI benefits
• Filing a claim under another person’s name, Social Security number, or employment information without their knowledge or consent
• Filing a claim for someone who is incarcerated

Consequences of UI Fraud

• You will be required to repay any UI benefit payments you have received, along with interest and other mandatory penalties.
• You may NOT be able to collect additional UI benefits until the UI debt is repaid.
• Your state and federal income tax refunds may be taken to pay back your debt.
• The state may pursue prosecution and, in some cases, could result in jail time.
• If you are assessed with fraud of $1,000 or more, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits for ten (10) years.

Fraud: It’s a Crime

El Fraude, Es Un Crimen

Remember, it’s not worth the risk! Report your earnings and all other information honestly and accurately to avoid the possibility of criminal prosecution and/or stiff fines.

Help STOP UI Fraud

If you know or suspect someone is committing UI fraud, you can report it anonymously using our online form or by emailing [email protected] or calling 501-682-1058.