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Apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits

How to Start a New UI Application

If you recently lost your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify to receive Unemployment Insurance Benefits payments.

Information Needed to Apply

Be prepared with the following information before filing your initial claim:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your mailing address, county of residence
  • Your Driver's License or state-issued ID number
  • Employment history:
    • The names, addresses and phone numbers of all employers for the last 18 months, including the correct mailing address and telephone number for the most recent employer
    • The last day worked
    • The amount you were paid (before deductions) and the date of any severance, vacation, holiday, or unused sick pay
    • The name and local number of your union hall, if applicable
    • The start date and monthly benefit amount of any pension (other than Social Security)
  • Alien Registration Number, if applicable
  • If you were released from the military within the last 18 months, a copy 4 of your DD214 form
  • If you were employed in Federal Civilian service within the last 18 months, a copy of your Standard Form 8 (SF8) "Notice to Federal Employees About Unemployment Insurance" or Standard Form 50 (SF50) "Notice of Personnel Action."

Apply Online

Apply online anytime between 12:00am on Sunday through 6:00pm on Friday.
Apply for UI Benefits

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

If you are participating in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), you must list your own phone number when filing an Unemployment Insurance claim so DES can contact you directly. Please do not use the ACP phone number.

Registration on Arizona Job Connection Website

UI applicants are automatically registered with Arizona’s largest jobs database, Arizona Job Connection (AJC) within 2 days of submitting their application. Applicants are encouraged to log in to AJC to complete their registration, create a digital resume, search for jobs, and get matched with hiring employers.

Apply By Mail

To submit a claim by mail, download and complete one of the following forms:

ID.me

ID.me is a federally-certified identity verification provider specializing in digital identity protection. It is a secure, online service available 24 hours a day and can be accessed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. This service helps the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) verify legitimate claimants are the ones applying for benefits – and not someone who has stolen a claimant's identity. Find more information about ID.me and its privacy policy.

After the Application

Within approximately one week of filing your initial claim, you will receive the following information from DES in the mail:

Please print, sign, and return the Certificate of Understanding to the address or fax number listed on the form.

If we need more information to process your claim, we will mail you a questionnaire to complete and send back.

All UI claimants may be scheduled to participate in a virtual Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointment. Visit the RESEA web page to learn more about this requirement.

Payments

DES is doing everything possible to get Arizonans benefits as soon as possible. However, if there are issues with your claim, such as incomplete information, processing the claim may be delayed.

Direct deposit is available at www.AZUI.com. You may also receive an Electronic Payment Card (EPC) issued by Comerica. Your EPC card will have a zero balance until your first benefit payment has been processed.

Additional Information and Resources

Additional information about Arizona Unemployment Benefits can be found in the following handbook that applicants receive in the mail:

ARIZONA@WORK staff can provide you with no-cost job assistance to help you get back to work. Learn more about the services available and view a list of jobs with immediate openings by visiting, www.ARIZONAatWORK.com.

You may qualify for other benefits such as:

The extra $600 per week for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) is not counted against eligibility for some programs:
Program FPUC UI PUA
AHCCCS Medical Assistance Not Counted Counted Counted
Nutrition Assistance Counted Counted Counted
Cash Assistance Not Counted Counted Counted

 You can apply for one or more of these programs online at www.healthearizonaplus.gov. Find more contact details regarding Nutrition, Cash, and Medical Assistance Benefits.
 

Video Tutorials

How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits

How To File An Unemployment Insurance Claim

How to file an UI claim - American Sign Language video

What to Expect after Applying for Unemployment Insurance

What to expect after applying for UI - American Sign Language video

 

Unemployment Insurance Fraud

It is a felony to misrepresent or fail to disclose facts or to make false statements in order to obtain or increase benefits. If you knowingly make a false statement or withhold information in order to collect unemployment insurance benefits to which you are not entitled, the Arizona Department of Economic Security may take civil or criminal action against you. Criminal action may result in a fine and/or imprisonment. In addition, you will be required to repay the amount you received illegally as well as penalty amounts which are added to each week that was fraudulently claimed. As part of our fraud prevention efforts, the Department regularly conducts several types of audits to detect improper benefit payments. View more information about Unemployment Insurance Fraud.

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