How is the Arizona weekly benefit amount calculated?

Arizona divides the wages from your highest-earning base-period quarter by 25 to get your weekly benefit amount, then caps it at the state maximum. You must also have earned enough total base-period wages to qualify.

What is Arizona's maximum weekly unemployment benefit?

Arizona's maximum weekly benefit amount is 320 dollars, raised from 240 dollars in 2022. The minimum weekly benefit is generally low, and the calculator caps your result at the 320-dollar maximum.

How many weeks can I collect in Arizona?

Arizona pays up to 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. Your total entitlement is the lesser of 26 times your weekly amount or one-third of your total base-period wages, so lower earners may receive fewer than 26 weeks.

What is the base period?

The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Arizona uses the wages reported in that window to determine both your eligibility and your weekly benefit amount.

How accurate is this estimate?

It is a close estimate of the regular weekly benefit. Your actual award depends on Arizona DES verification of your wages, your reason for separation, and weekly eligibility. Part-time earnings while claiming also reduce each week's payment.

Arizona Unemployment Benefit Estimator

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Arizona unemployment insurance (UI) replaces part of your wages if you lose your job through no fault of your own. The state uses a high-quarter formula: your weekly benefit is the wages from your single highest base-period quarter divided by 25, capped at Arizona’s maximum. This estimator computes that weekly amount and your total potential payout.

How it works

The estimate follows Arizona’s statutory method:

Weekly benefit amount (WBA). Divide your highest base-period quarter’s wages by 25. For example, $10,000 ÷ 25 = $400.
Apply the cap. Arizona caps the WBA at $320 per week. So a $400 raw figure becomes $320.
Maximum total benefit. Your total entitlement is the lesser of 26 × WBA or one-third of your total base-period wages. Divide that total by the WBA to see how many weeks you can actually collect (up to 26).

The formula is: WBA = min(320, highQuarter ÷ 25) and maxBenefit = min(26 × WBA, baseWages ÷ 3).

Tips and example

Suppose your highest quarter was $9,000 and your total base-period wages were $30,000. Your raw WBA is $9,000 ÷ 25 = $360, capped to $320. The maximum total is the lesser of 26 × $320 = $8,320 and $30,000 ÷ 3 = $10,000, so you could collect the full 26 weeks at $320.

This is an estimate only. Arizona DES verifies your actual wages and the reason for your job separation, and any part-time earnings you report while claiming will reduce that week’s payment. File as soon as you become unemployed to start your benefit year.