If you’re out of work in Arizona, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits to help you stay afloat while you search for new employment. While the system follows a similar structure nationwide, each state sets its own rules for eligibility, benefit amounts, and filing procedures. Here’s a clear guide to how unemployment benefits work in Arizona in 2025.
Who Qualifies for Unemployment Benefits in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) oversees unemployment benefits and determines eligibility based on three main factors:
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own.
- You must meet the state’s minimum earnings requirements.
- You must be able, available, and actively seeking work.
Reasons You May Qualify
- Layoff or Reduction in Force: If you lost your job due to company downsizing, restructuring, or layoffs, you likely qualify.
- Fired Without Misconduct: If you were let go because you lacked the necessary skills or weren’t a good fit — and not for misconduct — you may still be eligible.
- Quitting with Good Cause: Leaving a job for reasons like unsafe working conditions, discrimination, or a spouse’s military relocation may still allow you to collect benefits.
Minimum Earnings Requirement
To qualify for unemployment benefits in Arizona for 2025, your recent work history and earnings must meet one of these criteria:
- Earned at least $5,733 (390 times Arizona’s $14.70 minimum wage) in your highest-paid quarter of the base period, plus at least half that amount across the other three quarters.
OR
- Earned at least $8,000 total in two quarters of the base period, with at least $7,987.50 earned in one quarter.
The “base period” is the first four of the last five complete calendar quarters before filing your claim.
Work Search Requirements
To continue receiving benefits, you must:
- Be available for work and actively seeking employment.
- Register with the Arizona Job Connection.
- Make at least one job contact per day for four days each week.
- Keep a record of your job search to submit with weekly benefit claims.
How Much Are Arizona Unemployment Benefits?
- Weekly Benefit Amount: 4% of your highest-paid quarter’s wages.
- Minimum Weekly Benefit: $224
- Maximum Weekly Benefit: $320
- Maximum Total Benefit Amount: $7,680
If the state unemployment rate is over 5%, benefits can last up to 26 weeks. When the rate is 5% or lower, benefits last for the equivalent of 24 weeks or one-third of your total base period wages, whichever is lower.
Denied Benefits? How to Appeal
If your claim is denied:
You have 15 days to appeal.
- Appeals can be filed online, by phone, or in writing.
You’ll have a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). - You can present evidence, witnesses, and even hire legal representation.
If unsatisfied with the ALJ’s decision, you can appeal to the Appeals Board within 30 days, and if needed, further appeal to the state court.
