You must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own, and you must have earned sufficient wages in your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the start date of your claim, or alternatively the last 4 quarters). Also, you must be able and available for full-time work.

You can apply online, in-person, or by mail.

Your weekly benefit amount is determined by the amount of wages in the quarter of the base period in which your earnings were the highest.

The length of time that you will receive benefits is also based on how much you made during the base period, but it will not last more than 25 weeks.

You must continue to file weekly. Also, you must continue to be able and available for full-time work. You must actively seek employment, while keeping a record of your work search activities (a form to help you do so can be found in the Claimant Handbook). To be actively seeking employment, each week you must contact the number of employers that are assigned to you. You must also register with the Department of Workforce Services Employment Services. Finally, you must accept suitable work.

You must appeal within 20 calendar days from the date of the decision. Your appeal must be in writing, and may be submitted in-person or by mail. Also, you must keep filing your weekly claims regularly because you will only be paid for weeks you filed if you win your appeal.

Visit the State of Arkansas Website

Read the Claimant Handbook