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Unemployment calculator  →  Arizona

Arizona Unemployment Calculator (2026)

Arizona pays $236 to $320 per week in 2026 — one of the narrowest benefit ranges in the country. Claims last 8 to 24 weeks. The minimum rises every January with the state minimum wage, while the $320 maximum is frozen in state law.

Data verified 2026-07-04Source: US DOL + state statuteEffective 2026-01-01
Weekly benefit range
$236 – $320
Duration
8–24 weeks
Formula
highest quarter ÷ 25
Apply with
Arizona DES official
The actual rule

How Arizona calculates it

Arizona's formula is simple: your highest-earning base period quarter divided by 25. A $7,000 top quarter pays $280 a week. At $8,000 or more, you hit the $320 cap ($8,000 ÷ 25 = $320).

The unusually high $236 minimum is a side effect of the qualifying rules. To qualify, you generally need at least 390 times the state minimum wage in one quarter — with 2026's $15.15 minimum wage, that's about $5,909, and $5,909 ÷ 25 comes to $236. Because Arizona's minimum wage is indexed to inflation, this floor rises every January 1. Meanwhile the $320 maximum is frozen by statute (a 2025 bill to raise it failed), so the gap between minimum and maximum keeps shrinking.

Your total pool is the lesser of one-third of your base period wages or 24 times your weekly benefit (26 times when the state unemployment rate is 5% or higher). In practice, claims run 8 to 24 weeks.

highest quarter ÷ 25, clamped to $236 – $320
Source: US DOL “Significant Provisions of State UI Laws” (Jan 2026) + state statute · verified 2026-07-04

About the minimum: Derived, not statutory: 390 x state minimum wage ($15.15 in 2026) / 25 = $236. DOL Jan 2026 PDF shows stale $229 (2025 min wage $14.70). Rises every Jan 1 with AZ minimum-wage indexation while max stays frozen at $320 (A.R.S. 23-771/23-779).

Qualifying

Do you qualify in Arizona?

The main wage test: total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter, plus at least 390 times the state minimum wage (about $5,909 in 2026) in one quarter. The alternative: wages in two quarters, with one quarter high enough to produce the maximum weekly benefit and total base period wages at or above the taxable wage base.

You also must be out of work through no fault of your own, able and available to work, and actively job searching. The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) decides every claim.

Maximum total benefit: Lesser of 1/3 BPW, or 26 x WBA (24 x WBA if prior-quarter unemployment rate < 5%).

Common questions

Arizona unemployment, in plain language

How much unemployment will I get in Arizona? +
Between $236 and $320 per week in 2026. Your amount is your highest base period quarter divided by 25 — a $7,000 top quarter pays $280, and $8,000 or more hits the $320 maximum.
How long does unemployment last in Arizona? +
8 to 24 weeks. Your total pool is the lesser of one-third of your base period wages or 24 times your weekly benefit (26 times when the state unemployment rate is 5% or higher).
How is the Arizona weekly benefit calculated? +
Take your highest-earning base period quarter and divide by 25. The result is capped at $320, and the qualifying rules mean it effectively starts around $236 in 2026.
Can I work part-time while on unemployment in Arizona? +
Yes. You can earn up to $160 in a week without affecting your benefit; earnings above $160 reduce your payment for that week. Report all work and earnings to DES.
What do I need to qualify for unemployment in Arizona? +
Total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter, plus about $5,909 (390 times the 2026 state minimum wage) in one quarter — or an alternative two-quarter test. You also must have lost the job through no fault of your own and be able, available, and actively looking for work.
Is Arizona unemployment taxable? +
Yes, on your federal return. You can request 10% federal withholding with Form W-4V. State tax treatment varies — check current Arizona rules or ask a tax professional.
Why is Arizona's minimum benefit so close to the maximum? +
The minimum tracks the state minimum wage, which is indexed to inflation and rises every January. The $320 maximum has been frozen by the legislature — a 2025 bill to raise it failed. So the floor climbs each year toward a fixed ceiling.
When should I apply for Arizona unemployment? +
As soon as possible after your last day of work — benefits are tied to when you file. Processing and payment timing vary; check with DES.
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