Arkansas Unemployment Insurance Claims
How to File an Unemployment Insurance Claim
A claim for Unemployment Insurance may be filed online using the EZARC (EZ Arkansas Claims) System at www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov. Before filing your claim, review the eligibility information and the “5 Steps to Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits” below. If you have questions once you’ve filed, refer to this page, or call 1-844-908-2178.
Click on “Eligibility” below to expand and collapse the information.
Eligibility
Claims must be filed through the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, and certain conditions must be met during each week for which benefits are payable. To be eligible, you must be:
- unemployed,
- physically and mentally able to perform suitable work,
- available for suitable work,
- making a reasonable effort to find work,
- free of participation or direct interest in a labor dispute, and
- free of disqualification.
WAITING WEEK In addition to the above, a waiting period of one (1) week must be served before benefits are payable to you. A week to be used as a valid waiting period must be a valid week of unemployment. A valid week of unemployment must be a week you have claimed after filing your Initial Claim, in which you did not have any earnings or had earnings of less than 140% of your Weekly Benefit Amount, met all Eligibility Requirements, and a week for which you are not disqualified.
ABLE TO WORK means being physically and mentally able to perform work similar to work you performed in the past or other work for which you are fitted by experience and training to perform and have a reasonable expectancy of obtaining.
AVAILABILITY FOR WORK means being ready to accept work at once, and there are no circumstances, personal or otherwise, which would prevent you from accepting suitable work.
REASONABLE EFFORT TO FIND WORK means making personal efforts to secure suitable work by contacting persons with hiring authority, union local, etc., or doing those things reasonable for you to do in regard to your occupation, which would result in your finding employment as soon as possible.
After a reasonable amount of time, you must expand your efforts and seek work in related fields which utilize a lesser skill.
5 Steps to Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Click on each of the headings to expand or collapse additional information.
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 | Sunday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Once you have completed this filing process, information will be mailed to you.
2. Provide Proof of ID
You must show proof of ID to verify your identity during the UI claim filing process. After you have filed your initial claim on EZARC, you will see a confirmation page. Click the “Verify Identity” link on your confirmation page to choose how you would like to provide proof of ID. There are three ways to provide ID for you to choose from, including:
- Online – Login.gov: Use Login.gov to upload photos of your identity documents with your phone or computer. Follow the instructions provided after choosing this method. (OR)
- In-Person at a Participating Post Office: Provide your ID in person at one of over 200 participating USPS locations in Arkansas. Follow the instructions provided after choosing this method. You will be given a barcode that you must present along with your identity documents. Click here to view a list of participating post offices.
- In-Person at an Arkansas Workforce Center: Present your ID in person at a local Arkansas Workforce Center.
A valid government-issued ID is required.
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 Arkansas Workforce Center.
4. File Weekly Claims
Weekly claims must be completed each week. File weekly claims online using ArkNet. Visit www.arknet.arkansas.gov or call ArkLine at 1-501-907-2590. For UI purposes, weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday.
ArkNet
File continued claims online using ArkNet. You must file a continued claim once you have a valid initial claim established and you are determined to be eligible for benefits. Click here to go to ArkNet!
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)
5. Questions? Call the UI Service Center 1-844-908-2178
If you have any questions about Unemployment Insurance, contact the UI Service Center.
1-844-908-2178 | Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
The Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook
The UI Information Handbook is 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. You can view and download the handbook at the link below.
Appeals
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
To repay overpayments, mail payments directly to Benefit Payment Control, PO Box 8060, Little Rock, AR 72203-8060. Any questions regarding overpayments can be directed to Benefit Payment Control at 501-682-3241. Click here to learn more about overpayments.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
DUA is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance and employment services to jobless workers and the self-employed when they are unemployed as a direct result of a significant natural disaster if DUA benefits are made available. Click here to learn more about DUA.
Trade Adjustment Assistance
TAA benefits are for those workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced due to increased imports. This program includes a variety of benefits and reemployment services to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may receive assistance in skill assessment, job search workshops, job development/referral, and job placement. In addition, workers may be eligible for training, a job search allowance, a relocation allowance, and other reemployment services.
Trade Readjustment Allowances
This specific form of Trade Adjustment Assistance is paid to an eligible adversely affected worker every week after he/she exhausts entitlement to regular unemployment compensation, including state and federal extensions. Click here to learn more.
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program
The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor 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.
Fraud Warning
It is important to report information truthfully and accurately when filing for unemployment insurance. There are penalties for willfully withholding information. You must supply correct and complete facts when filing for unemployment insurance benefits.
It is a Crime! Arkansas Division of Workforce Services law provides severe penalties for making false statements or failing to disclose material facts when claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Deliberately giving false information 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.
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.
UI 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. http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/arcode/
More Resources
Instructions Card PDF En Español
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 protect your personal information in our computer systems and files. 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 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 cannot access 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 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.
