You must be available for work. Your states unemployment insurance agency may be within your states department of labor, department of economic development, or department of industry. If you get tax deductions when you file your taxes, you are an independent contractor or self-employed. The following circumstances may disqualify you from collecting unemployment benefits: Insufficient earnings or length of employment. In Arkansas, the base period, four . As the name suggests, the purpose of this law is to disqualify individuals from unemployment benefits if they ghost possible employers, meaning they fail to respond to an offer of employment or appear for a previously . If you don't meet your state's eligibility requirements, your claim for unemployment compensation benefits will be denied. . A claim for Unemployment Insurance may be filed online using the EZARC (EZ Arkansas Claims) System atwww.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov. When your claim is denied, you should be provided with the reason for the denialand information on the appeal process. Click here to learn more about DUA. You can also file claims online at . Picture this: You recently lost your job and then you get a letter from the unemployment office saying you are not entitled to receive a weekly benefit. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. he or she shall be disqualified from the effective date of the disqualification until he or she has twenty (20) weeks of employment in each of which he or she has earned wages equal to at least his or her weekly benefit amount. The Benefit Year is the 12-month period beginning with the first day of the calendar quarter in which a valid claim is filed. To request an interpreter or translator, please contact your nearest local office. Recently, the federal government extended unemployment benefits to self-employed workers and independent contractors as part of its coronavirus pandemic relief efforts in federal law like the CARES Act. The online application is available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Arkansas law. To file an initial claim, you must complete an Application for Unemployment Insurance Benefits via Easy Arkansas Claims (EZARC). (13) weeks of . These types of income have to be reported: If you do not report these earnings, you can be guilty of fraud. You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed. You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Arkansas law. This might also refer to yourbeing asked to commit acts that are illegal or immoral. If you find errors in the Determination, you should immediately contact a local DWS office and file a Request for Reconsideration. If you quit your job without good cause or youre fired for misconduct. If you experience the death of an immediate family member, the work requirement will be waived for the day of the death and 6 consecutive calendar days thereafter. ADWS employees cannot access your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Can Self-Employed Workers Collect Unemployment? We do not claim responsibility for its accuracy. If this happens, the benefits you have been receiving will stop. But regardless of what state you live in, not everybody who loses their job is eligible for unemployment compensation. There are certain instances when you may be exempted from conducting a work search: For general information about Arkansas Unemployment Insurance benefits, call the states ArkLine at 501-907-2590. 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. In Arkansas, you will be considered "available" for work only if you don't have any restrictions preventing you from taking a job if one is offered. We have established security controls and procedures to safeguard the information we collect about you. This search can include contacting employers, completing applications in person or online, or other reasonable efforts to secure work. Any questions regarding overpayments can be directed to Benefit Payment Control at 501-682-3241. To be eligible, you must be: WAITING WEEKIn addition to the above, a waiting period of one (1) week must be served before benefits are payable to you. Visit www.arknet.arkansas.gov or call ArkLine at 1-501-907-2590. This is a good first place to look for this information. To see how much you qualify to receive, the unemployment office typically traces the gross earnings attributable to your Social Security number for your base period. We support US Homeland Security efforts in the fight against Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program fraud and will never share or sell your information. Applicants may apply online 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. by visiting ARunemployment.com. In most cases, if you voluntarily quit your job, you are not eligible for unemployment. You must be able, ready,and willing to accept a suitable job. Labor and Industrial Relations Section 11-10-519. For example, if you file your claim in August of 2019, the base period would be from April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. Unemployment Compensation Benefits Disqualifications To collect unemployment benefits, you must be temporarily out of work through no fault of your own. Currently, the minimum amount of unemployment benefits you can receive in Arkansas is $81 per week. File continued claims online using ArkNet. But regardless of what state you live in, not everybody who loses their job is eligible for unemployment compensation. Another example of quitting without good cause is leaving simply because of dissatisfaction with the company or job. The process takes 1015 minutes to complete. He has operated his own solo practice as well as worked at small suburban boutique firms and large diversified downtown law firms. If you know someone claiming benefits to which they are not entitled, report them immediately by calling: 1-501-682-1058, and ask the operator to transfer your call to the Fraud Hot Line. Can You Collect Partial Unemployment Benefits? . Claimants may want to consider contacting job recruiters or job agencies for additional leads on potential jobs. DWS Protects Your Information. You can explore additional available newsletters here. What Happens to My IRS Tax Debt if I File Bankruptcy? You can also call the states ArkLine at 501-907-2590 to claim your week by phone. Reorganizing Your Debt? Fired for justifiable cause. The situation is the same if the public transportation you have to take to work shuts down. This program includes a variety of benefits and reemployment services to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. We are a team of experts dedicated to finding the right government programs for you. You can look up your weekly benefit amount on the DWS website. Youll be paid a benefit based on how much your employer paid you during a 12-month period called your Base Period. Reporting Information Accurately. If youre required to report for jury duty. A: You will need to file weekly claims to receive benefits, either by ArkNet or ArkLine. How Much Debt Do I Need To File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Filing a claim online should take about 30 minutes. Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in Arkansas: You must have earned at least a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed. Disqualifying Conduct Disqualification Period. Bill Activity for the 94th General Assembly, Bills for the 94th General Assembly sorted by Range. You can avoid being disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits if you put some effort into staying on top of things. On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP). If you have been laid off or reduced to only part-time work but will be returning to full-time work within 10 weeks. This way, you can avoid getting a disqualifying letter from the state unemployment office or having your weekly benefit amounts cut off. Get free education, customer support, and community. In Arkansas, suitable work is work similar to what you have done in the past, or other work you have the experience and training to perform, and which you can reasonably expect to get. Written by Attorney Eric Hansen.Updated October 24, 2021. The penalty for being disqualified for a year is eight weeks in prison. It is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter that you file your initial claim. All this misconduct may lead to your disqualification. It is a Crime! How To File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: A Step-by-Step Guide. "State Unemployment Insurance Benefits. If your unemployment claim is denied, you can appeal the decision. If a new employer offers you full-time work that will begin within 10 weeks from the date the job was promised. You should be advised of how to proceed with an appeal when you receive the notice from the unemployment office. If you currently have a valid Arkansas claim for Unemployment Insurance, you may choose to file for weekly benefits online. Is Upsolve real? You can usually appeal the disqualification. It's one of the greatest civil rights injustices of our time that low-income families cant access their basic rights when they cant afford to pay for help. However, Arkansas waived this waiting period for claims filed from March 16 to April 18, 2020. Remember to file your claim each week that you are unemployed to claim benefits! The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Law that governs your UI claim can be searched in Title 11 Chapter 10 of the Arkansas Code. All rights reserved. Arkansas. An employer may say you acted inappropriately when you really didnt, or they may indicate that you quit a job when you were actually laid off or fired without a good reason. CNN Pandemic unemployment benefits must restart in Arkansas while a lawsuit works its way through the court system, a state judge ruled in a decision filed Thursday. Q: My employer is still open for business but I am not able to work at this time because I am in quarantine or am providing care for someone as a result of COVID-19. To select Direct Deposit, you must enter your account and routing numbers after logging into your account on. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this . We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. 552a), which requires state and federal agencies to protect the information we collect from you. In Arkansas, as in other states, you must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits. The reason for your job loss is important to the state unemployment insurance agency and how they interpret state law. Arkansas State law determines eligibility of Unemployment Insurance in Arkansas, You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. For interstate claimants, use the UI Interstate Claimant Handbook. Remember, for UI purposes, weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday. The General Assembly passes the statutes which are compiled and written in the Arkansas Code Annotated (ACA). Follow the prompts and enter your answers for the questions that pertain to the dates outlined. DWS will investigate the reasons for your temporary separation. You can search online to find out. Keep records of your job search efforts and stay positive. If an employer fails to honor the terms of an employment contract, even after the issue is brought to his or her attention, this can qualify as good cause. Follow the prompts and enter your answers for the questions that pertain to the dates indicated. Theft of a lesser amount is a MISDEMEANOR. But there are several situations in which the claimant (the former employee) is generally disqualified from receiving weekly benefit amounts from the state unemployment insurance program. This website and its contents are for informational purposes only. 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, Here's an overview of the guidelines for qualifying for unemployment and the circumstances that can disqualify a worker from receiving compensation when they are out of work. Combined, the two bodies form the Arkansas General Assembly. Click here to view and download the Unemployment Insurance Handbook. Can You Collect Unemployment if You Work Part-time? A valid government-issued ID is required, and UI claims will be held without proof of ID. To qualify for benefits, you need to be actively hunting for a job, and youwill need to document your job search for your state unemployment office. Arkansas normally has a one-week waiting period before your benefits will begin. Do You Have to Go To Court to File Bankruptcy? When you file an initial claim, you establish a Benefit Year. You may initially qualify for unemployment benefits but become ineligible if you arent actively looking for a job. Little Rock, AR 72203. Employers pay for UI benefits through a tax they are required to remit. If your employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the tornado that occurred on March 31, 2023,click here. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Locate helpful UI handbooks and other beneficial information about UI claims. This law will become effective on January 1, 2024. If you are denied benefits, you have the right to appeal. As a result, if you are disqualified for six months, you will be out for six weeks. Amerigroup Arkansas Unemployment Benefits and Eligibility, COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits and Insurance FAQ, Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Local Offices, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Review, Contact information for all employers you have worked for in the past 12 months, The start and end dates for current/most recent employer, Your Alien Registration number if youre not a U.S. citizen, Your DD-214 Member Copy 4 form if you served in the US military during the preceding 18 months, Your SF-8 form, if available, if you worked for the federal government during the past 18 months. Each state determines what qualifies (and disqualifies) a worker from receiving unemployment benefits in that location. If youve been fired, you may or may not be eligible for unemployment compensation. A: For claims filed on or after March 16, 2020, the valid waiting period requirement has been waived for thirty (30) days due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Disqualification - Voluntarily Leaving Work - Definitions Disqualification Provisions: . Your telephone number. Call 1-844-908-2178. AVAILABILITY FOR WORKmeans being ready to accept work at once, and there are no circumstances, personal or otherwise, which would prevent you from accepting suitable work. To check on the status of an appeal, contact the Board of Review at 501-683-4300. 2. Youll also register with the DWS Employment Services and seek out employment opportunities each week. Be sure to clearly state the reasons for your appeal, include your name, address, and Social Security number, and attach a copy of the determination that was mailed to you. These cards must be issued by a bank and mailed to you. Can I Keep My Car If I File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Quitting your job without good cause inconnection with the work. Independent contractors are technically self-employed, so they typically cannot receive unemployment benefits. In Arkansas, you can receive benefits for up to 16 weeks. Quitting without good cause. Work with a local DWS office to complete this type of claim. Upsolve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that started in 2016. You may also be disqualified from receiving unemployment compensation if you refuse an offer of suitable work. the individual has had at least thirty (30) days of employment covered by an unemployment compensation law of this state . What Are the Pros and Cons of Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. If you quit without good cause, you arent eligible for unemployment compensation. If your reason for leaving your last job was something other than lack of work,a determination will be made by your state unemployment insurance agency regarding whether you are eligible for benefits. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Learn more here. Some of the more common reasons include: After you apply for benefits, youll be sent a Notice of Agency Determination, advising you of the DWS decision. You have the right to appeal that decision if you so choose. Important information about claiming benefits truthfully and accurately. In Arkansas, the Division of Workforce Services administers the states Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits program. It will depend on the reason. In Arkansas, misconduct includes failing a drug test, willfully disregarding your employer's interests, or willfully violating workplace policies regarding safety or harassment, for example. You can find online filing information, as well as regional telephone numbers for filing by phone, at the website of the Department of Workforce Services. Youll need to keep a record of your contacts and present them as required by DWS, who will verify your efforts. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Eric D. Hansen is an experienced Minnesota attorney within a number of varying and nuanced practice areas. -- Benefits Generally 11-10-514 - Disqualification -- Discharge for misconduct. In Arkansas, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your benefits claim. Each state has its own eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits. Eric has a wealth of experience in busines read more about Attorney Eric Hansen. (a) (1) If so found by the Director of the Department of Workforce Services, an individual shall be disqualified for benefits if he or she is discharged from his or her last work for misconduct in connection with the work. However, if you left due to good cause, you may be able to collect. If you have Social Security taxes and unemployment insurance taxes taken out of your earnings, then you are an employee. Benefits can only be paid to you if you meet all state legal requirements, and you are not under a disqualification. This article will help you better understand how unemployment benefits work, who qualifies for compensation, and what might disqualify you.. While youre filing an appeal, you should continue to claim benefits for each week you are unemployed. Under the PUA program, self-employed workersusually excluded from unemployment benefitsare entitled to unemployment if they meet certain criteria. Arkansas has set up a temporary claims processing hotline for filing by phone. How Long Do You Have To Work To Collect Unemployment? This website is not affiliated with the US Government or any US Government Agencies. Report gross Bonus Pay for any bonus payment received during the week being claimed. In addition, workers may be eligible for training, a job search allowance, a relocation allowance, and other reemployment services. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The agency can also provide other important information like your benefit year, the impact of severance pay, and how many weeks of eligibility you have for unemployment benefits. You can find the setup for the payment method on the Confirmation Page. Is this a legitimate service? Fast & Easy Arkansas Claims on the Internet - File Your Claim When It Is Convenient for You! Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in Arkansas: Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year "base period" to determine your eligibility for unemployment. However, in response to apparent labor shortages, the state of Arkansas decided to end this supplement early on June 26, 2021. If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you may appeal it within 20 days to the Arkansas Board of Review. Please check official sources. Receiving unemployment benefits and maintaining your eligibility are important for your financial well-being after a job loss. The status of unemployment claims in Arkansas can get checked by contacting the Arkansas department of workforce services. Recent Bill Activity for the 94th General Assembly, Recently Filed Bills for the 94th General Assembly, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/arknet/, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment/, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/employers/arkansas-claim-help/, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/src/files/500-BOOKLET-8X11-ART-v05-29-2018-1.pdf, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/src/files/direct-deposit-brochure-2018.pdf, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/src/files/debit-brochure-2018.pdf, https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/employers/faq-2/. Should I File for Bankruptcy for Credit Card Debt? Gross misconduct including Until the employee earns at (1) dishonesty, (2) least 10 times his weekly You have one year to file the request from the date shown on the Monetary Determination. What do I do next? Report Those Who Cheat! the amount of compensation, and the amount of time benefits can be collected. How long will I have to wait to receive my benefits? If you are claiming unemployment benefits, you could be selected to participate in the RESEA program. 1-844-908-2178 | Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 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. Click here to go to ArkNet! Youll want to check with your state unemployment insurance agency for specific qualification guidelines, deadlines, and contact information. You may receive benefits for a maximum of 25 weeks. To check on the status of an appeal, contact the Appeal Tribunal at 501-682-1063. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. When filing for Arkansas unemployment insurance benefits, you must supply correct and complete facts. Important Note: If you are experiencing delays in filing your claim online or by phone, please understand that your claim will be processed and backdated. You will need to begin filing your weekly claims on the Sunday following the day that you filed your initial claim for unemployment benefits. Online Unemployment Insurance Applications: EZARC Site: https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov/ HOURS: Sunday-Saturday, 6am-6pm Hotline Applications: Unemployment Insurance Hotline: 1-844-908-2178 or 501-534-6304 HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8am-3:30pm Weekly Claims Reporting: Online: ArkNet: https://www.arknet.arkansas.gov/ By Phone: ArkLine 501-907-2590 If your appeal is approved, youll be paid for those weeks only if youve claimed them. Remember, its not worth the risk! Copyright 2023 Arkansas House of Representatives. A: Benefits are issued either Direct Deposit or by Debit Card. This also means you usually have to have worked for your employer for at least a year. Some states are more restrictive in defining good cause, while others, like California, are more generous.. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Below you'll find information on collecting unemployment in Arkansas. (For more information, see Nolo's article, Collecting Unemployment: Are You Able, Available, and Actively Seeking Work?) An applicant may be disqualified if they: Are involved in a labor dispute Quit their job without good cause Were terminated for misconduct Have an insufficient