Arkansas Unemployment Insurance
UI Service Center
1-844-908-2178 | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Five Steps to Filing for Unemployment Insurance
1. File an initial claim online
ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. & Sunday, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.
2. Provide proof of ID
You can verify ID one of three ways:
- Use the link to Login.gov provided on your confirmation page.
- Present your valid government-issued ID at over 200 participating USPS locations in Arkansas. Use the barcode provided on your confirmation page.
- Present your valid government-issued ID at a local Arkansas Workforce Center.
3. Create your Arkansas LAUNCH account
4. File weekly certifications
You must certify each week you are unemployed using Arkansas LAUNCH or by calling Arkline at 501-907-2590. For UI purposes, weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.
5. Choose your payment option
If you choose direct deposit, you will enter your banking information in Arkansas LAUNCH. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, you will receive a debit card in the mail. Make sure the mailing address on your account is up to date!
Eligibility Requirements
Our agency will review your claim to determine if you qualify for benefits. We look at these
three criteria:
How much did you work in the 12-18 months before filing your claim?
This period is your base period. These wages are reported by your
employer through their taxes during this period. This will determine if you
have enough wages to set up a claim and how much you could receive in
benefits.
Why are you no longer working for your past employer?
The reason you are no longer working helps determine if you may
receive benefits. Below are some examples of separation reasons and
if you could receive benefits based on these reasons or not.
You may receive benefits if you:
- Were laid off or your hours were reduced by your employer.
- Left your last job and can show it was for good cause related to the job (such as unsafe working conditions).
- Are unemployed because you or your child were victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
You may not receive benefits if you:
- Left your job for personal reasons not related to work.
- Were fired for misconduct.
- Are not legally allowed to work in the United States.
- Are currently receiving workers’ compensation.
- Refusing to apply for or accept suitable work.
- Did not complete and report your required work search activities.
- Refusing a recall after being laid off.
- Are on leave through the Family Medical Leave Act.
Common Questions
What information is required to file an Unemployment Insurance Claim?
- Your Social Security Number
- Your mailing and physical address
- Your telephone number
- Your last employer’s name and address
- The name and number of your labor union if you find work through a union
- Your Alien Identification Number or registration information if you are not a US Citizen
- Your banking information if you wish to receive UI payments by Direct Deposit
How long does it take to file a claim online?
- The claim process should take approximately 30 minutes.
- You may experience delays when saving each page. Please be patient and do not interrupt the process.
How can I save my claim and finish filing later?
- You may exit the claim filing process at any time by clicking “Log Out.” If you click “Log Out,” any information you have entered on the screen will not be saved; however, any information you have entered prior to that screen will be saved for 24 hours. You must complete any remaining portions of the application process within 24 hours. Any partially completed claim information will be lost if you do not complete the application within that time. Remember that the effective date of your claim is the day you SUBMIT the application, not the day it is saved.
- Any information you have entered and saved will automatically be saved for 24 hours in the event of a system failure.
- Your claim is effective the day you submit the claim and receive confirmation the application has been accepted.
What do I do after I file my claim?
- Once you have completed the online application for benefits, click on the SUBMIT button and wait for the Confirmation Page. Save (or print) the Confirmation Page for your records as proof of filing.
- Provide proof of ID following the instructions on your Confirmation Page.
- Register for work and conduct your required job search activities.
- Read all notices you receive from the Division of Workforce Services and follow any instructions provided.
- File weekly claims for each week you are unemployed.
- You will receive your unemployment insurance benefits on a debit card unless you choose to receive your benefits through direct deposit. You will have the option to set up this payment method on the Confirmation Page.
- See more details in the 5 Steps for Filing for Unemployment Insurance below.
Will I be required to report to an office after filing my claim?
- There may be some circumstances where you may still be required to report to your Local Office, although most items are handled online.
- Certain circumstances require you to mail or fax documents to your Local Office before processing your claim. These documents must be received within 10 days, or your claim will not be processed.
- Your claim’s Confirmation Page, which provides information and instructions, will address any additional action you need to take.
UI Fraud Warning
What is UI Fraud?
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.
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 fines.
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program
The U.S. Department of Labor funds the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program to help certain Unemployment Insurance claimants return to work faster. If you are claiming unemployment benefits, you could be selected to participate in the RESEA program. Participants are obligated to meet various program requirements. Learn more here.
Servicios de Interpretación/Traducción disponibles por medio de su oficina local.
Ewōr Jerbal in ukok ikijien jeje im kennaan ilo opij ko ijo kwoj pād ie.
Các Dịch Vụ Thông Dịch/Phiên Dịch có sẵn qua văn phòng địa phương của quý vị.
ຫ້ອງການປະຈໍາທ້ອງຖິ່ນຂອງທ່ານໃຫ້ບໍຣິການນາຍພາສາແລະການແປເອກະສານ
Interpretation/Translation services available through your local office.
