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To protect taxpayer dollars from criminals and ensure Arizonans in need can access benefits in a timely manner, beginning this week, claimants filing initial claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will need to verify their identities using ID.me’s safe and secure online portal before they can receive PUA benefits. Learn more.

States across the nation continue to see an extraordinary number of claims filed as a result of identity theft. DES has become aware that some Arizona residents are receiving notices and benefit cards at their address with the names of individuals who do not reside at that location. This is the result of criminals attempting to obtain funds from the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program by using randomly selected in-state addresses during the application process. More information regarding unemployment fraud can be found here. To report fraud, file a report online or call the DES Fraud Hotline at 1 (800) 251-2436.

DES Services Related to COVID-19

Apply for UI Benefits

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For Individuals Impacted by COVID-19

If you have been impacted by COVID-19, you can use the following documents to assist you in answering the application for Unemployment Insurance Benefits questions.

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 to file your initial claim:

Your Social Security Number
Your mailing address, county of residence
Your Driver 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 immediately prior to filing the UI claim
- Amount (before deductions) and date of any payment for severance, vacation, holiday or unused sick pay
- The name and local number of your union hall, if applicable
- Alien Registration Number, if applicable
- Copy # 4 of DD Form 214 if released from the military in the last 18 months
- SF 8 or SF 50 if employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months
- Start date and monthly benefit amount of any pension (other than Social Security)

Apply Online, by Phone, or Mail

Apply online anytime between 12:00am on Sunday through 6:00pm on Friday.
Apply Online
Apply by phone, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1 (877) 600-2722
Submit a claim by mail. Download the Arizona Initial Claim for Unemployment InsuranceUB-105).

NOTES:

The requirement to actively seek work (“work search”) has been temporarily suspended. You will not be able to enter information regarding these questions in the online system. The answers to these queries will not be used to determine your eligibility.
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.

DES is analyzing changing state and federal guidance and updating its eligibility requirements accordingly. These requirements may continue to change as the government response to COVID-19 evolves.

Applicants are also automatically registered with Arizona’s largest jobs database, Arizona Job Connection (www.AZJobConnection.gov). By completing their registration, job seekers can create a digital resume, search for jobs, and get matched with hiring employers.

Filing a Weekly Claim

To maintain Unemployment Insurance benefits, you are required to file weekly claims confirming that you continue to meet the requirements to receive Unemployment Insurance.

You must file a claim every week you are unemployed, or underemployed.

The benefit week starts on a Sunday and ends on Saturday.

File Weekly Claim

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.

Payments

DES is doing everything possible to get Arizonans benefits as soon as possible. However, DES is experiencing an influx of claims due to COVID-19 and processing times may vary. Additionally, 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 Bank of America (applicants who have received UI within the last 3 years or are currently receiving child support, will not receive a new EPC card). 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 A Guide to Arizona Benefits handbook that applicants receive in the mail.

ARIZONA @ WORK staff can provide job seekers with no-cost job assistance to help them 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	Not Counted	Not 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

What to Expect after Applying for Unemployment Insurance

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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Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable modification based on language or disability should submit a request as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the modification. The process for requesting a reasonable modification can be found at Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Modification.

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