How Do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits?
There are two ways to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits; you may use the telephone or the internet. ARRA is the acronym for the Arizona Re-employment Rapid Access. ARRA is the telephone method used to file an Arizona claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits. It is a computer-based, interactive voice response system. It can only be used with a touch-tone telephone and you can choose to have the instructions read in English or Spanish. You can also apply online at AZUI.com
Information about the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, which extends regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, may be found online. If you have previously applied for EUC and wish to reactivate your claim, you must use the ARRA telephone system–reactivations filed over the Internet will not be processed.
Have A Specific Question?
Click this link to get answers to all of your Arizona unemployment questions: Arizona Unemployment FAQ
Unemployment Office Contact Information:
(602) 364-2722 – for Phoenix area
(520) 791-2722 – for Tucson area
All other areas may call toll-free 1-877-600-2722
TTY (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf)
1-877-877-6226 (Toll-Free)
Reopening an Existing Claim – When you initially apply and qualify for benefits, a benefit year is established. If, during this benefit year, you stop filing because of work, vacation, illness or some other reason; you must re-activate your claim (provided that you have a balance remaining in your account). You may reopen your claim through ARRA or online at AZUI.com
The ARRA system is not available on any state holiday. AZUI.com is available on state holidays except those that occur on a Friday.
How to Prepare – You should have the following information ready (whichever filing method you choose):
- Your Social Security Number
- Your mailing address, city, state and ZIP code
- The county in which you reside
- The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all your employers for the last 18 months
- The last day you worked immediately prior to completing your application for benefits
- If you received severance, lieu of notice or dismissal pay; payment for unused vacation, sick, or holiday leave; or payment for military accrued leave–the amount (before deductions) and the date it was paid to you
- The name and local number of your union hall, if applicable
- Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a citizen of the United States
- Copy # 4 of your DD Form 214 if released from the military in the last 18 months
- Form SF 8 or SF 50 if employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months
- If you are collecting a pension (other than Social Security), you will need the start date of the pension and the monthly benefit amount.
Important Information Regarding Your Claim
There are additional requirements and steps you must take after you complete your application for UI Benefits. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities. Information about what is required and what you can expect to occur after you apply for Benefits can be found online. The information presented provides important details as to what comes next in the UI Benefit process. Note that additional information relating to your claim and the unemployment insurance (UI) program will be mailed to you through the U.S. Postal Service.
You must comply with the outlined requirements or benefits will be delayed or denied.
https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/main.aspx?menu=234\u0026id=2518
How Do I File My Weekly Claim For Unemployment Benefits?
Filing Weekly Claims
Establishing your claim does not start the benefit payment process!
You must file weekly claims for each week that you wish to claim benefits.
The weekly claim filing process is used to verify that you were unemployed during the week and are eligible to receive benefit payments (provided that you qualify monetarily and are determined to be eligible to receive benefits). You will need to certify your eligibility for every week that you wish to receive a benefit payment. Please note that you cannot skip a week or you will not be able to file your weekly claim on the Internet or by phone–all weeks must be certified in order, without a break. Even if you know that you were not eligible during a specific week, you should certify the week if you plan to continue making weekly claims for benefit payments. Note: The weekly claim process can only be used by individuals who have an existing Arizona Unemployment Insurance Claim.
All weekly claims for benefits are for a calendar week. The claim week begins on Sunday and ends at 12:00 midnight on the following Saturday. You will need to file a weekly claim for benefits for the current week that ends this Saturday on Sunday or before 6:00 PM next Friday. If, your last day of work for the employer that you indicated was your last employer when you completed your initial application for benefits falls within the current week, you must report your earnings or a stop will be placed on your claim which will delay any payment(s) that you may be entitled to. If you worked for any employer during this or future benefit weeks, you must report your total earnings (before deductions) even though you may not have received payment from your employer.
If you miss filing your weekly claim during the week following the Saturday end date and attempt to file at a later date, you will receive a message indicating that there is no record of your Social Security Number in our database. Benefit week ending dates are uploaded to our database each week. If you do not file your weekly claims each week (during one of the 5 days after the Saturday end date) the week is deleted from the database and you will need to telephone the Call Center to resume timely filing.
https://egov.azdes.gov/CMSInternet/main.aspx?menu=234\u0026id=2552
File Weekly Claims Weekly claims for UI benefits may be filed online at AZUI.com or through our Telephone Information and Payment System (TIPS)
The first time you use either the internet or telephone weekly claim filing system, you will be asked to select a permanent PIN. You will choose your own, four-digit secret number to use when filing future weekly claims and to obtain payment information. Your PIN can be any combination of numbers except all zeros (0000), all nines (9999), or any symbols (#, *).
Both systems are available during the hours of Sunday 12:01AM/Mountain Standard Time and Friday 6:00PM/Mountain Standard Time. If you do not file your claim by 6:00 p.m. Friday, you must contact the Call Center to resume timely filing.
Special Note: When a state holiday is observed on a Friday, neither system will be available on this day of the week. You must file your weekly claim by 6:00PM/Mountain Standard Time on Thursday. As stated above, if you do not file your claim by 6:00 p.m. Thursday, you must contact the Call Center.
There is no real difference between the two systems. It is the same application and it works the same way with the same information. When you use the telephone you hear the questions; when you use the Internet you see the questions. Both applications process the information you provide into the same database. If you can’t file your weekly certification because of an issue with your claim (for example, claim not current, no claim on file, already filed, etc.) using one process, you won’t be able to do it using the other one. If only one of the systems is down due to a system specific problem (phone outage, network problems with the Internet, etc.), you will usually be able to file using the other system.
Telephone Numbers for TIPS
If you are unable to complete your weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefit claim online, you may use the telephone system:
Phoenix area (602) 417-3800
Tucson area (520) 884-8477
If calling from outside the Phoenix or Tucson area, use our
toll-free number 1-877-766-8477
Deaf/hearing impaired callers may reach us by calling our
toll-free TDD number 1-877-877-6226
https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/main.aspx?menu=234\u0026id=2410
Other System Features – Benefit payment information may also be viewed for the most recently completed calendar year (for tax purposes). This option is usually available from February to May each year.
You may also use the internet or phone system to check on the status 1099-G info is available either online or by telephone using the TIPS Line from February 1st through May 30th of each year. You can also view: the latest benefit payment made to you; information about the last week you filed if you did not receive a payment; and the balance remaining on your current claim. Access the Weekly Claims application and after choosing English or Spanish, select “View Payment Information” from the drop-down menu.
File for Arizona Unemployment:
https://egov.azdes.gov/CMSInternet/main.aspx?menu=234&id=2550
Official Arizona Unemployment Handbook, called A Guide To Unemployment Insurance Arizona Benefits:
https://www.azdes.gov/InternetFiles/Pamphlets/pdf/pau-007-PD.pdf
Click this link to get answers to all of your questions about Arizona unemployment: Arizona Unemployment FAQ
John L. C. says
I was working 160 hrs per 2 wks.with a promise. but had to pay relocation and cost of living. Then got cut back 80 hrs.per 2 wks. I made $46,600.00 in 6 months.I n started in10/7/09 and left 4/1/2010. I left in good will with my supervisor.I applied with a contractor tiwce to work at this place and was dinied on site.I left 04/01/2010 and applied for over 200 jobs some i got interview and others sorry.I’ve used all my saving
Alex C. says
Hi John L.C.
I am a student journalist writing about unemployment in the U.S. and Arizona in particular. Anyway I could ask you a few questions either through phone or email since you have personally had to deal with this?
Aniello C. says
The job situation in my field (airport planning and engineering) continues to be dead. After months of trying to find employment in my field, I’ve decided to do some consulting on my own. The unemployment handbook information is not really clear on how to handle this. I know that all income must be reported. However, my consulting compensation will be in lump sum consulting fees that are not based on an hourly rate of pay. I would be paid only upon approval of contracted deliverables, so the fees are not “earned” until work is complete and accepted by the client(whether I put in 10 hours or 100 hours on a task, the compensation will be the same). I would conceivably have spikes in income that will greatly exceed my weekly UI amount, followed by weeks of no income.
Nick Pela says
The “spikes” in any given week will just be deducted from your compensation in the week earned. Are you just concerned that the amounts reported in any given week would be a “red flag”?
Aniello C. says
I guess I am concerned about that. The UI claim says to report all work even though you’ve not been paid for it yet. That is geared toward somebody who is employed part time and getting an hourly wage. If I work on a task that I don’t have an hourly rate on for 2-3 weeks, then get paid the lump sum, I think I should report that sum when I receive it, and that could be weeks or months away. Like I said, I could work a few hours or many hours for the same amount. The guidelines are not clear. I think people who work on commission basis might be in the same boat.
John V. says
I recently was diagnosed with a disease which requires me to have treatment in another state (CA). The treatments are during my AZ Unemployment claim period. Should I continue to file a weekly claim? I can look for work but unable to accept employment due to treatment. How do I handle this?
Thanks
Cory B. says
I’ve been applying for unemployment for the last 2 months and have not received any benefits. I just left the Army and have been applying to employment agencies and IT positions all over Phoenix. The Arizona Unemployment website says I can’t file a weekly unemployment claim. Thank you.
stanley daniels says
what day do i receive my benefits on , do they go off your last name or what?
sdbinaz says
Just let go after less than one month of employment as an account exec sales position. The reason, performance issues and lack of knowledge of job requirements? Is one month enough time for an employer to determine your ability to perform your job?
annoymous says
How my question is how do I report unemployment fraud? I know of someone that is calling unemployment in for their spouse that is in jail. Their spouse was in jail from 11/8 to 11/19 and now again 12/30 to still. During this time every sunday the spouse calls the claim line both for herself and her spouse in jail.
meranda says
I would like to know how unemployment escalated to such high rates.
dina says
Ijust filed a claim for unemployment benefits and I didn’t put add my tips how to I add my tips to my claim
trina06 says
My unemployment mail was sent to the wrong address 100 miles from where I live. The mail included all my identifications such as; social security number, birth date, ect. I was contacted by a gentleman that got a hold of it. He kindly return it to the unemployment office near where he lives. I mean if it got in the wrong hands and they used it, then it would be identity theft. And I am thankful for the gentleman who kindly returned it. I am trying to get a hold of the Unemployment Office which is taking all day.
Brandi says
I was denied my benefits & awaiting the transcript to appeal the decision. At the time, I focused on the “reason” I was fired & not the entire picture. After thinking about it, I now feel I was discrimnated against because I was fired and no one else was that violated the policy. In my appeal letter, will the Appeals Board consider that type of defense? Also one of the reason for dismissal was violation of company policy that was sent company wide that I don’t remember receiving & did not acknowledge; I didn’t sign for it. How can I approach that defense?
mindy says
need copies of my unemployment case/payment/documents/appeal decision,where can I find them?
adrienne says
what does it mean when they say that you do not qualify if you leave or get fired for “just cause”
anonymous says
I would like to know how I can file a complaint against AZ UI. I have called 6 different numbers…Tucson and Phoenix with no answer. Last Monday I called 27 times and nothing. In fact, in the year I have had to deal with UI I have only been able to get through twice. This is very stressful since I have no idea what is going on with my claim (which can’t be viewed online because all correspondence is sent via fax). I have bills piling up and unable to get a hold of ANYONE. This is absolutely unacceptable!
Dylan says
I have not recieved payments the last two weeks. Online it just says active issues. I call every day now ,every 15minutes and ALWAYS GET THE SAME MSG,”WE ARE EXPERIENCING A HIGH VOLUME OF CALLS,PLZ TRY AGAIN LATER! How do i resolve this issue if i am unable to contact anyone? I am now homeless ,and have no money and no car. what do i do !? I cant even get food stamps because it shows i have unemployment income and no bills. I have resorted to stealing food from gas stations. Please help asap!
Lisamarie says
I have worked for the last 2 years as a server on top of a small job that was considered to be self employed I was 1099ed on the small job that I have included when filing taxes each year. I was laid off from both jobs in April and filed a UI claim I did not list the self employment income in that claim cause I did not think it would be counted due to it being a 1099 that that company wouldn’t have paid anything into unemployment on me. I am still unemployed and have filed again but this time I included that income I was 1099ed on does anyone know if this will make a difference. I was denied the first claim attempt because they said I did not make enough.