How is the Arkansas weekly benefit amount calculated?

Arkansas divides your highest-quarter base-period wages by 26 to set the weekly benefit amount (WBA). The result is rounded down to a whole dollar and capped at the state maximum weekly benefit, which is about $451.

What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Arkansas?

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Arkansas is roughly $451, and the minimum is about $81. To qualify you must have earned at least 35 times your weekly benefit amount across the base period and have wages in at least two quarters.

How many weeks can I collect unemployment in Arkansas?

Arkansas caps regular unemployment benefits at 16 weeks. The maximum benefit amount payable is the lesser of 16 times your weekly amount or one-third of your total base-period wages.

What is the base period in Arkansas?

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Wages earned in this period determine both your eligibility and your weekly benefit amount.

Are Arkansas unemployment benefits taxable?

Yes. Unemployment compensation is taxable as ordinary income for federal purposes and is also subject to Arkansas state income tax. You can elect to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments.

Arkansas Unemployment Benefit Estimator

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Arkansas sets your weekly unemployment benefit from your highest-earning quarter in the base period. This estimator applies the state’s 1/26 formula, the weekly cap, and the 16-week duration limit to project what you might receive.

How it works

Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is your high-quarter base-period wages divided by 26, rounded down, and capped at the state maximum:

WBA = floor(high-quarter wages ÷ 26)
WBA capped between $81 (min) and $451 (max)

To qualify you generally must have total base-period wages of at least 35 times your WBA, with earnings in at least two quarters. The maximum total benefits payable is the lesser of 16 × WBA or one-third of total base-period wages.

Example

If your highest quarter was $11,700, your WBA is $11,700 ÷ 26 = $450 — just under the $451 cap. Over 16 weeks that is up to $7,200 in total benefits, provided your total base-period wages clear the one-third rule.

Notes

Maximum and minimum benefit amounts are adjusted periodically by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, so confirm current figures before relying on an estimate. Eligibility also depends on the reason you separated from work and your ongoing work-search activity. This tool estimates the dollar amount only; it does not determine eligibility.