Are there wage requirements associated with my eligibility for unemployment benefits in Arizona?

See full answerWhether you receive Unemployment Insurance benefits and how much you’re entitled to each week depends on how much you earned during your base period. All states have similar wage requirements which are determined by the laws in each state. To qualify for benefits in Arizona, you must have worked for an employer who paid unemployment tax and you must have earned:

• At least 390 times the Arizona minimum wage in your highest earning quarter and the total of the other three quarters must equal at least one half of the amount in your high quarter. For example, if you made $5000 in your highest quarter you need to have earned a total of $2500 within the remaining three quarters combined,
• Or at least $7000 in total wages in at least two quarters of the base period, with wages in one quarter equal to $5987.50 or more.

What do I do if my unemployment benefits in Arizona are denied?

If you are disqualified/denied benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. You must file your appeal within an established time frame. Your employer may also appeal a determination if he/she does not agree with the determination regarding your eligibility.

Am I eligible for unemployment benefits in Arizona if I’ve also worked in another state?

If you have Arizona wages and also worked in another state, or currently reside in Arizona and have earnings from employers in two or more other states (within the base period), you may choose to combine these wages to establish monetary eligibility. If you were employed in more than one state at any time during the current base period, you may have the option of:

• Filing a claim against any state in which you were employed using only the wages from that state, or
• Filing a claim against any state in which you were employed, using the wages from all states in which you earned wages.

Are there other issues that can affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits in Arizona?

See full answerYes, the following list shows examples of issues that could affect your eligibility and prevent you from receiving benefit payments (note that the list is not all inclusive):

• Illness or injury;
• School attendance;
• Failure to look for work;
• Being out of the area;
• Not being willing or ready to accept work;
• Failure to report to a scheduled Re-employment Services Orientation;
• Failure to return UI claim-related documents within specified time frames;
• Refusing or not responding to a referral to suitable work by DES Employment Service;
• Refusing a genuine offer of suitable work without good cause;
• Retirement pay (other than Social Security);
• Severance Pay; and
• Vacation or holiday pay if allocated to a period during which benefits are claimed.