Arizona Department of Economic Security
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Return to Work Bonuses

On May 13, 2021, Governor Doug Ducey and DES announced Back To Work programs to help individuals transition from unemployment to a new job, and ensure those currently receiving unemployment have support available to help them in this critical step forward.

Eligible individuals can receive a $2,000 Return to Work Bonus (RTWB) after working the equivalent of eight 40-hour weeks (320 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job. Employment at a qualifying job must begin between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021

OR

Eligible individuals can receive $1,000 after working the equivalent of eight 20-hour weeks (160 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job. Employment at a qualifying job must begin between May 13, 2021 and September 6, 2021.

DES anticipates launching the program portal July 10, 2021, for individuals to apply for a RTWB. DES will provide additional information when it is available. Individuals who intend to apply should save their pay stubs in order to verify their qualifying hours worked after leaving unemployment and returning to work.

Eligibility

Individuals are eligible for the RTWB if they:

  1. Were receiving unemployment benefits on May 15, 2021 or filed for unemployment benefits in Arizona by May 15, 2021;
    • Individuals filing initial unemployment benefit claims after May 15, 2021 will not be eligible for the RTWB, even if they are filing for weeks prior to Benefit Week Ending May 15, 2021.
    • Individuals must be eligible to receive benefits for Benefit Week Ending May 15, 2021 although their benefit payment may be issued in a later week.
  2. Return to the workforce between May 13, 2021 and September 6, 2021 and begin  full-time or part-time qualifying employment;  
  3. Work the equivalent of eight 40-hour weeks (320 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job OR work the equivalent of eight 20-hour weeks (160 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job.
    • Individuals must not continue to receive unemployment benefits after they return to work.
  4. Make $25 per hour or less, equivalent to $52,000 annually, at their new, qualifying job; and
  5. Have not previously received the RTWB.

A qualifying job may be in any industry. In order to be eligible for the RTWB, individuals must return to verifiable employment in Arizona.  Individuals must provide:

  1. An employer to contact that is not the applicant. Independent contractors can provide their contracted employer’s information.
  2. Either a home (if working remotely) or business address within Arizona.
  3. Pay stubs from their employer(s).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are previously self-employed individuals or contractors eligible?
Potentially. All individuals who meet eligibility requirements, stop receiving unemployment benefits, and return to qualifying employment are eligible for the RTWB.

Are Shared Work claimants eligible if they return to work full time?
Potentially. All individuals who meet eligibility requirements, stop receiving unemployment benefits, and return to qualifying employment are eligible for the RTWB.

Do I have to start working by a certain date?
Yes. Individuals must meet all eligibility criteria, return to work in a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021, and work the equivalent of at least eight out of ten weeks after starting qualifying employment to qualify for the RTWB.

RTWB Payments

Eligible individuals can receive $2,000 after working the equivalent of eight 40-hour weeks (320 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job.  Employment at a qualifying job must begin between May 13, 2021 and September 6, 2021.

OR

Eligible individuals can receive $1,000 after working the equivalent of eight 20-hour weeks (160 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job. Employment at a qualifying job must begin between May 13, 2021 and September 6, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I have two or more part-time jobs to qualify for either bonus?
Yes. If an individual meets all eligibility criteria and works two part-time qualifying jobs that combine to the equivalent of eight 40-hour weeks or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021, they are eligible for the $2,000 bonus payment.

If an individual meets the eligibility criteria and works two part-time qualifying jobs that combine to the equivalent of eight 20-hour weeks or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021, they are eligible for the $1,000 bonus payment.

When is the bonus paid?
DES intends to launch a web-based portal for individuals to apply for the RTWB by July 10, 2021. An individual can apply for the RTWB after the web-based portal is live andThe bonus will be awarded when the individual has stopped receiving unemployment benefits and completed at least eight weeks (320 hours full-time or of qualifying employment within 10 weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021.

How will I get paid?
Tentatively, DES intends to make RTWB payments via direct deposit into the eligible individual’s bank account. If the individual does not have direct deposit, DES will issue a paper check. However, for timely payment, direct deposit is the best option. DES will provide additional information when it is available.

Can I change jobs and still get the bonus?
Yes. As long as an individual has stopped receiving unemployment benefits and completed at least 8 weeks of qualifying employment within 10 weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job, they can get the bonus even if they switched jobs.

Is the bonus considered taxable income?
Yes. Individuals who receive the RTWB will receive a 1099-G from the Department of Economic Security (DES) in early 2022 to report this payment to the IRS.

Can I elect to deduct taxes from my payment?
DES does not anticipate that this functionality will be available when the RTWB portal is launched by July 10, 2021. However, DES will provide additional information on system functionality when it is available.

Will Child Support be withdrawn from my bonus?
DES is currently researching this question and will provide a response as soon as possible.

Will the bonus be considered income for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance, and Medicaid eligibility (AHCCCS)?
The RTWB is not countable as income for either the SNAP or TANF programs. The RTWB is countable income for AHCCCS Medical Assistance.  This one time payment would be counted as income in the month it is received.

Am I able to receive the part-time return to work bonus and a partial UI benefit for the same weeks?
No. Individuals must stop receiving unemployment benefits in order to be eligible for the RTWB.

How to Apply

DES anticipates launching a web-based portal for individuals to apply for the RTWB by July 10, 2021. DES will provide additional information when it is available. Individuals who intend to apply should save their pay stubs in order to verify their qualifying hours worked after leaving unemployment and returning to work.

When to Apply

DES intends to launch a web-based portal for individuals to apply for the RTWB by July 10, 2021. An individual can apply for the RTWB after the web-based portal is live, they stopped receiving unemployment benefits, and they met completed the qualifying hours as follows:

Eligible individuals can apply to receive the $2,000 RTWB after working the equivalent of eight 40-hour weeks (320 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021.

OR

Eligible individuals can apply to receive the $1,000 RTWB after working the equivalent of eight 20-hour weeks (160 hours) or more over the first ten weeks after returning to work at a qualifying job between May 13, 2021 and  September 6, 2021.

Documentation of Employment

Individuals must provide pay stubs for each week they want to count toward qualifying for the RTWB. The individual must also provide an employer contact who can confirm the employment and hours worked.

Identity Verification

In order to make sure the RTWB payment is paid to the legitimate applicant, DES requires identity verification in order to receive the bonus payment. DES will provide additional information when it is available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If I am denied the RTWB, am I able to have someone review the decision?
If an individual disagrees with an eligibility decision, they are able to request a reconsideration from DES. DES will provide additional information when it is available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a set amount of funding being allocated for RTWB?  Or does everyone who meets the eligibility criteria receive the bonus?
The RTWB program is first-come, first-serve until $300 million in bonus payments are issued or November 15, 2021, whichever happens first.

Am I able to participate in more than one of the Back-to-Work programs?
Yes. An individual can participate in any of the programs for which they are eligible. This means an individual can receive the RTWB, child care assistance, and education incentives.

I am an employer and want to talk to someone at DES about the RTWB. Who do I contact?
Employers can contact [email protected] with questions related to the RTWB.

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