PHOENIX — Thousands of Americans are suddenly finding themselves having to apply for unemployment as companies across the country are shuttering amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of people who filed new claims for unemployment benefits surged last week by 70,000, indicating that the impact of the coronavirus was starting to be felt in rising layoffs in the job market.
Arizona has not been exempt from the economic impacts stemming from the coronavirus.
If you are among the people who lost their job due to the response to the spread of COVID-19, here is how you apply for unemployment in Arizona:
- Go to the Arizona Department of Economic Security's website
- If you are filing online, you can do so between 12:01 a.m. on Sunday to 5 p.m. the following Friday.
- This same online system is used to reopen an existing claim, so if you have a benefit year that has not yet expired or you stopped filing weekly claims for reasons other than returning to work and you want to begin filing for weekly benefits again.
- Gather the following personal information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Last paystub
- Your Social Security Number
- Arizona Driver's License or Arizona State Issued ID (Note: you may still complete your application without these two items)
- Your mailing address, city, state and ZIP code
- If you live in Arizona, know the county where you reside
- The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all your employers for the last 18 months
- The last day you worked immediately prior to filing your UI claim
- If you received severance, vacation, holiday or payment for unused sick pay: give the amount (before deductions) and the date it was paid to you
- The name and local number of your union hall, if applicable
- Alien Registration Number, if applicable
- Copy # 4 of your DD Form 214 if released from the military in the last 18 months
- SF 8 or SF 50 if employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months
- Fax a copy of SF8 SF-50 or DD214 form to (602) 364-1416, (602) 253-4101 or Email a copy to UISpecialPrograms@azdes.gov
- If you are collecting a pension (other than Social Security), you will need the start date of the pension and the monthly benefit amount
3. Fill out the application.
You can find answers to commonly asked questions here.
