Arkansas Unemployment Benefits 2026

Currently Active Programs (2026)

Extended Benefits (EB)

Program status (2026): Inactive

Extended Benefits provide additional weeks of unemployment compensation when Arkansas unemployment rate meets federal trigger criteria under the federal-state Extended Benefits program.

Trigger requirements:

Arkansas Extended Benefits activate when:

• Insured Unemployment Rate (IUR) exceeds 5% AND is at least 120% of average for same period in prior two years, OR
• Total Unemployment Rate (TUR) exceeds 6.5% AND is at least 110% of average for same period in prior two years

Additional weeks available: Up to 13 weeks beyond standard benefit duration

Eligibility requirements:

During Extended Benefits period, claimants must:

• Have exhausted regular unemployment benefits
• Continue to meet all regular eligibility requirements
• Actively seek work
• Not be disqualified for voluntary quit, misconduct, or refusal of suitable work (unless disqualification satisfied with reemployment)

Current status verification:
IUR/TUR rates: Check current trigger status at https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/eb.asp
Last checked: January 31, 2026
Status: Extended Benefits not triggered; regular benefits only available

Source: Arkansas Code § 11-10-533 et seq. (Extended Benefits); federal Extended Unemployment Compensation Act (EUCA)
Federal EB information: https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/eb.asp

Shared Work Program

Shared Work program status: Active

Arkansas Shared Work program allows employers to reduce employee hours instead of conducting layoffs, with employees receiving partial unemployment benefits for reduced hours.

How Shared Work operates:

Employers submit Shared Work plan to Arkansas Division of Workforce Services proposing to reduce hours for group of employees rather than laying off workers. If approved, affected employees:

• Continue working reduced hours (at least 10% reduction, up to 60% reduction)
• Receive partial unemployment benefits for lost hours
• Maintain employment relationship and benefits

Employer requirements:

To participate in Shared Work program:

• Submit written Shared Work plan for approval
• Reduce normal weekly hours by at least 10% for affected employees
• Apply reduction to entire unit of employees or specific department
• Maintain health insurance and retirement benefits for participating employees
• Cannot reduce hours more than 60%

Employee eligibility:

Employees participating in Shared Work must:

• Be regularly employed by employer with approved plan
• Be monetarily eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits
• Not have exhausted regular benefit entitlement
• File claim and meet regular eligibility requirements

Employee benefits during Shared Work:

Participating employees:

• Receive Shared Work unemployment benefits equal to percentage of hours reduced multiplied by regular weekly benefit amount
• Need NOT be available for work other than with Shared Work employer
• Need NOT conduct active work search
• Need NOT apply for or accept work with other employers

Example:

• Employee normally works 40 hours per week
• Hours reduced to 28 hours (30% reduction)
• Regular WBA if fully unemployed: $300
• Shared Work benefit: $300 × 30% = $90 per week
• Total compensation: Regular wages for 28 hours + $90 Shared Work benefit

Benefit duration:

Shared Work benefits payable for maximum of 25 weeks, whether consecutive or not, during benefit year. Shared Work benefits count toward maximum benefit amount for regular claim.

Waiting week:

Claimants must serve one-week waiting period before Shared Work benefits payable, same as regular unemployment insurance.

Source: Arkansas Code § 11-10-601 et seq. (Shared Work provisions)
Employer Shared Work information: https://dws.arkansas.gov/workforce-services/unemployment/employer-ui-information/shared-work-program/

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

TAA program: Active (federal program)

Trade Adjustment Assistance provides benefits and services to workers who lost employment due to foreign trade.

Eligibility:

Workers may qualify for TAA if:

• Employer certified by U.S. Department of Labor as trade-affected
• Job loss or reduced hours resulted from foreign competition or shift of production outside United States
• Member of group of workers covered by certification

Benefits available:

TAA participants may receive:

• Extended unemployment benefits beyond regular state benefits
• Job training funding for retraining in new occupation
• Job search allowances for seeking work outside commuting area
• Relocation allowances if job requires relocation
• Alternative/RTAA (Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance) for older workers

Arkansas TAA services:

Arkansas Division of Workforce Services coordinates TAA services through Arkansas Workforce Centers.

TAA coordinator contact:
Contact local Arkansas Workforce Center or UI Hotline: 1-844-908-2178

Source: Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. § 2271
Federal TAA information: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

DUA availability: Available during federally declared disasters only

Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides temporary benefits to individuals who lost employment due to major disaster and are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance.

Eligibility:

DUA available to individuals who:

• Lost employment as direct result of federally declared major disaster
• Are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance
• Cannot work due to disaster-related injury
• Cannot reach workplace due to disaster
• Were scheduled to start work but job no longer exists due to disaster
• Became breadwinner because head of household died in disaster

Activation:

DUA activated only when President declares major disaster and approves DUA for affected area. Not automatically available for all disasters.

Application:

When DUA activated, applications filed through Arkansas Division of Workforce Services using special DUA process announced at time of disaster.

Duration: Up to 26 weeks of DUA benefits

Source: Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5177
FEMA DUA information: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE)

Program status: Active (administered by state, funded federally)

UCFE provides unemployment benefits to former federal civilian employees who lost employment through no fault of their own.

Coverage:

Federal civilian employees separated from federal government employment file UCFE claims administered by state where their last official duty station located.

Benefits:

UCFE benefits mirror regular Arkansas unemployment benefits:

• Maximum weekly benefit: $451
• Minimum weekly benefit: $81
• Same eligibility requirements as regular state UI
• Same filing and certification procedures

Filing:

Federal employees file UCFE claims through same Arkansas LAUNCH system as regular unemployment claims, selecting federal employee option.

Cost:

Federal government reimburses state dollar-for-dollar for UCFE benefits paid; no state trust fund impact.

Source: 5 U.S.C. § 8501 et seq.
Federal worker resources: https://dws.arkansas.gov/workforce-services/unemployment-2/federal-worker-resources/

Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX)

Program status: Active (administered by state, funded federally)

UCX provides unemployment benefits to ex-military personnel separated from armed forces.

Eligibility:

Ex-servicemembers recently separated from active duty in armed forces may qualify for UCX benefits using military wages to establish claim.

Military wages:

Military service wages treated as covered employment for UCX purposes. Claimants use military pay during base period to qualify.

Filing:

Ex-servicemembers file through Arkansas LAUNCH system, providing DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

Source: 5 U.S.C. § 8521 et seq.
UCX information: https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/uifactsheet.asp