Arizona Unemployment Eligiblity Requirements

To receive money while out of work through the Arizona Department of Economic Security, you must first meet the state's eligibility requirements that have been established for issuing unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are not issued freely, and you can be barred from being paid monies due to circumstances surrounding your departure from your previous job and other issues.

Separation From Work


Arizona only pays unemployment insurance benefits if you were separated from your previous employer due to a lack of work. For reasons other than a lack of work, the Arizona Department of Economic Security will investigate your claim for unemployment insurance benefits and make a determination. The investigation includes interviewing you, either over the phone or in person, about the circumstances surrounding your separation. Also, the state agency will conduct interviews with your previous employer to find out what happened.

Money Earned From Last Employer

To receive unemployment insurance benefits from Arizona, you must have earned enough money during the base period. The base period is the 12-month period you worked prior to becoming unemployed. The base period is used to calculate your benefits. If you cannot use the base prior because enough wages were not earned, an alternative base period that includes more than the last 12 months will be used. In determining the amount you will receive each week in unemployment insurance benefits, the Arizona Department of Economic Security will take 4 percent of the highest wages that were earned in the base period or alternative base period. The amount must be at least $60 to qualify for weekly Arizona unemployment benefits.

Separation Pay

Separation pay that is received upon your departure from your previous employer, such as a severance package, vacation days and sick days, will affect your eligibility to receive Arizona unemployment insurance benefits. If the separation pay exceeds your determined weekly benefits amount, you will not receive Arizona unemployment benefits for that particular week. If the separation pay is less than your determined weekly benefits amount, it will be considered earnings.

Actively Seeking Employment

If it's determined that you will receive Arizona unemployment insurance benefits, you must actively seek employment to continue to get paid. You will be required to submit a log of your job search to the Arizona Department of Economic Security. You must also be prepared to accept any type of job, including one that pays less and is a lower rank than your previous position.