Arkansas Unemployment Benefits

To qualify in Arkansas, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period, been separated from work through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. You must also meet ongoing work search requirements.

Yes, but your benefits will be reduced. Arkansas's rule: 40% of weekly benefit amount disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings weekly, including contract/freelance income.

Yes, you can do contract or part-time work while collecting unemployment in Arkansas, but your earnings will reduce your weekly benefit. Arkansas's partial earnings rule: 40% of weekly benefit amount disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings for the week you performed the work (not when you received payment). If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim remains active. Important: independent contractor income counts as earnings and must be reported weekly.

Arkansas provides up to 12 weeks of unemployment benefits for eligible workers.

Arkansas calculates your weekly benefit using the formula: 1/26 of average quarterly wages in base period (total base period wages / 104). The maximum weekly benefit is $451 and the minimum is $81.